Page 103 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘First up, yes, I knew it was your hotel in Rome. That’s why I chose it.’ She lifted her palm as if to silence an interruption. ‘It was the last place anyone would look for me. We all know my father hates the Valenti family so it would never occur to one of us in normal circumstance to stay in a hotel of yours.’

She moistened her lips with her tongue. ‘My father and I had a disagreement. He wanted me to do something and I…was agitated. I needed time away to consider my options. If I’d stayed at home my family would all pile on, trying to persuade me.’

Gio’s pulse quickened. Whatever Barbieri had suggested had really unsettled Stella. It was there in her body language and taut features.

‘So I decided to take a holiday, my first break in years. I thought I’d go to Rome, play the tourist, and think.’

Gio stared. That would explain her insistence on leaving Rome immediately after seeing her brother near the hotel. He’d thought at the time she was scared. Were her brothers bullies like her father?

Anger stirred at the thought of the three men pushing Stella around, into something she didn’t want to do.

But he was getting ahead of himself. What she said was plausible but there was more. ‘You lied about your name.’

‘Actually, I didn’t. My parents weren’t married. I was the result of a holiday affair and I inherited my mother’s name.’ She looked at her hands clasped in her lap. ‘My father knew I existed, my mum told him when she was pregnant, but they had no interest in living together. He never…claimed me or saw me, but when she died the authorities contacted him and he gave me a home.’ Her mouth twitched. ‘When I moved to Italy everyone called me by his name, but he never suggested I legally change mine.’

There was a wealth of pain in her careful words that he knew was real. How could he have overlooked this? The investigators had reported her parents weren’t married, but Gio had assumed when Barbieri took her in he’d also legally changed her name since she used his professionally.

Unless Barbieri didn’t see her as true family.

Gio knew about growing up with a parent who didn’t show love. Had that happened to Stella?

Anger tightened every sinew and muscle. He knew, more than most, the tainted soul Alfredo Barbieri hid behind his greasy charm. Did Barbieri think of her as less in some way? Or was it just that the man was incapable of loving anyone?

Before he could say anything Stella continued. ‘If anyone took the trouble to look for me they’d make enquiries about Stella Barbieri and I needed time alone.’ She paused, sombre eyes meeting his. ‘Given the situation at home, I didn’t want to talk about my family. I was honest when I said it felt good to be just Stella for a change.’

To Gio’s horror her mouth trembled. But a second later she had herself under control, looking past him towards the lake as if fascinated.

He understood her determination to suppress her emotions. It was what he did himself. Yet he hated seeing her hurt. For he knew that was real. He felt an answering pang deep in his chest.

The things he’d thought suspicious had such reasonable explanations. Guilt bit hard.

‘I understand. I liked being simply Gio.’

Too often people wanted his attention or friendship because of his success and wealth. Though at the time he’d believed Stella knew exactly who he was, he’d found a freedom in being just Gio, not Giancarlo Valenti. As if he’d shed unnecessary layers.

She regarded him steadily as if trying to gauge his motives, then shrugged. ‘As for talking to your staff about the hotel, I was just interested. It wasn’t some dastardly scheme.’ Her lips twitched. ‘The place has a different energy from my father’s hotels. A positive vibe I couldn’t put my finger on and, as your investigators told you—’ her tone cooled ‘—I’m in the industry. I didn’t ask for confidential secrets, just tried to work out why it felt so different.’

Slowly Gio nodded. ‘When I considered it later I thought the same.’

‘You did?’ Her tense expression eased a little.

He nodded, wishing he’d confronted her at the start instead of playing along. But he’d been intrigued to find out what Barbieri was up to. Later it was Stella who’d intrigued him and he hadn’t wanted to disrupt their passionate idyll. More fool him.

‘And the midnight ramblings?’ He suspected he knew the truth but hearing her say it would clear the air.

‘I don’t sleep well when I’m worried about something. I go—’

‘Running.’ At her startled look he admitted, ‘I remember.’ He recalled everything. ‘I was glad you hadn’t decided to jog through Rome in the middle of the night.’

Even when he’d believed her a spy he’d abhorred the idea of her putting herself in danger.

‘I explored every part of your hotel that was open to the public. Even came across a few that were barred.’

Gio scrubbed his bristled jaw with his hand. A weight pressed on his chest. ‘I owe you an apology, Stella.’

‘You believe me?’

She looked stunned and suspicious. He couldn’t blame her.