QUEEN OF VERONA

Chapter 5: The First Encounter

The ballroom was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of classical music. Verona Heights' elite had gathered for one of the most anticipated charity galas of the year. Dressed in black-tie glamour, they mingled and smiled, but behind the polished smiles and sparkling dresses, there was always an air of competition. For many, these events weren’t about charity—they were about power.

Alessandra Cruz walked in like she owned the room, and in many ways, she did. Her sleek, emerald gown shimmered as she moved, every eye in the room drawn to her. She smiled graciously at those who approached her, shaking hands and engaging in polite conversation, all while her mind remained miles away, focused on Viktor Kazan’s latest moves and the threat hanging over her empire.

Yet tonight, she couldn’t afford to show weakness. The charity gala was a chance to reinforce her public persona as a successful lawyer, not a crime boss. She was here to play her part—nothing more, nothing less.

She was laughing at a comment from a local politician when she felt it. That unmistakable, intense gaze. A familiar energy rippled through her, making her heart skip. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she turned to look across the room.

And there he was—Marcus Hale.

He stood near the grand staircase, looking devastatingly handsome in a black tuxedo, his dark eyes scanning the room until they locked onto hers. It was like time froze, just for a moment. His jaw clenched, and Alessandra’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t seen him in years, not since she’d left without a word.

She felt a wave of emotions hit her all at once—guilt, longing, and anger all swirled within her, but she kept her expression unreadable. Her pulse quickened as she saw Marcus start to move toward her.

Stay calm, she told herself. You’re Alessandra Cruz.

When he reached her, the air between them seemed to thicken, the noise of the gala fading into the background as they stood face to face for the first time in years. His eyes were piercing, searching her face for something she wasn’t ready to give.

“Alessandra,” Marcus greeted, his voice low and steady, but there was an edge to it—an unspoken accusation beneath the surface.

“Marcus,” she replied, her voice smooth, even though her heart pounded in her chest.

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy between them. She could see the question in his eyes—the same one he’d probably asked himself a thousand times. Why did you leave?

Before either of them could say more, a waiter passed by, offering glasses of champagne. Alessandra took one, needing the distraction, and Marcus followed suit, though his gaze never left her.

“So,” he said, finally breaking the silence. “It’s been a long time. You seem to be doing well for yourself.”

Alessandra smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve been...busy.”

“I can see that. CEO of your own firm now, huh? Didn’t see that one coming.”

She laughed softly, the sound more bitter than she intended. “Life has a way of surprising you.”

His eyes narrowed, as if searching for cracks in her calm facade. “You could’ve surprised me with a goodbye.”

There it was—the confrontation she’d been dreading. The last time they had been together, their connection had been intense, real. And then she’d disappeared, vanishing from his life without so much as a word. He didn’t know the real reason she left, and she couldn’t tell him.

She took a sip of her champagne, buying herself a few seconds before responding. “I had my reasons.”

“I’m sure you did,” Marcus replied, his tone sharp. “But you could’ve told me.”

“I couldn’t,” she said quietly, her gaze falling away from his. “It wasn’t that simple.”

Marcus scoffed, shaking his head. “Nothing ever is with you, is it? Always something more going on.”

He was right, of course. There was always something more going on with her—something darker. But he could never know that side of her. To him, she was just Alessandra Cruz, the woman who walked out of his life without an explanation. And she needed to keep it that way.

“Look, Marcus,” she started, her voice soft but firm. “That was a long time ago. We’ve both moved on.”

His expression hardened. “Have we?”

Their eyes met again, and for a moment, she was back there—back to the nights they spent together, to the conversations that felt deeper than anything else in her life. But she pushed the memories aside. She couldn’t afford to let old emotions resurface, not now. Not with everything on the line.

“We have to,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marcus stared at her for a long moment, and she could see the conflict in his eyes. Part of him still wanted answers, and another part of him still wanted her. But he was a detective now, and she had become something he couldn’t know about.

A slow song began playing, and Alessandra’s heart skipped again as Marcus held out his hand. “Dance with me,” he said, his tone softer now, almost a plea.

She hesitated for just a moment before slipping her hand into his. They moved to the dance floor, and as they swayed to the music, the tension between them grew even stronger. She could feel his hand on the small of her back, the warmth of his body close to hers, and it sent a rush of emotions through her that she hadn’t felt in years.

But there was also a danger here, a danger she couldn’t ignore. Marcus didn’t know who she was now—the life she lived, the secrets she kept. If he ever found out, it would destroy them both.

“You’ve changed,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

“So have you,” she replied, her voice tight.

They danced in silence for a while, both of them lost in their thoughts. Alessandra felt a surge of guilt as she realized how much she had hurt him by walking away. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t drag him into her world.

As the song came to an end, Marcus pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers once again. “I’m not done asking questions, Alessandra.”

“I didn’t expect you to be,” she replied, pulling away from him