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She returned to the call. "I haven't told you his name, and I'm not going to."

My brow furrowed as I gripped the phone harder. "Why the hell not?"

"Don't curse, Sabrina Dolce. It's unbecoming."

"Why won't you tell me his name, Mother?" I dug my nails into my palm, drawing half-moons of pain.

Another strange pause. Then, "Because you'll just Google him and ask me a bunch of questions."

"Kind of like what you did anytime I mentioned literally anyone new in my life, let alone a prospective boyfriend." My face flushed hot with anger.

"That's different."

I threw my hands in the air, almost knocking over a crystal vase. "I'd love to hear your reasoning on that."

She sighed. "Sabrina, can you just be happy for me?"

Bile rose in the back of my throat. "Of course I'm happy for you, Mom. It's just that there are some…things…happening in my life that you don't know about…that might…"

Fuuuuccckkkk.

How was I supposed to tell my mother that I thought her Mr. Perfect Italian man was a spy for Sebastian?

What started out as a lie by omission to spare her worry was spiraling out of control.

The new House of Diamanti lab-created diamond product launch was happening in a few months. My name would be mentioned. She'd learn I was in Italy.

If my photo didn't appear as a mystery woman on Sebastian's arm even sooner.

I took a deep breath. "Mom, the truth is I'm in Ita⁠—"

A man's deep voice cut in from somewhere in the background. "Abriana, tesoro mio, we are going to be late."

"I'll be right there."

"Is that him? Why is he calling you 'my darling?’" The words rushed out of me.

Before she could answer, the bedroom door crashed open.

Sebastian entered without knocking, his powerful frame filling the doorway. "Dolcezza, we need to talk."

My eyes widened and I made a slashing motion across my neck.

Too late.

My mother had heard him. "Sabrina? Who was that calling you 'dolcezza'?"

Her question crackled with suspicion.

I turned my back on Sebastian and spoke quickly, almost tripping over my words. "They call me Dolce. There is another Sabrina here, and they were confusing us. Gotta go, Mom. Bye!"

I disconnected the call, my hand trembling.

As expected, the screen immediately lit up with her calling back.

I hit ignore, tossing it onto the bed and turning to confront Sebastian, my chest heaving with anger. "You can't just waltz into my room."

He moved toward me, each step deliberate. "It's my house."