CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT – IT’S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

They walked in silence through the mansion's grand hallways. Rebecca tried to memorize every detail – the play of light on the marble floors, the scent of old wood and leather, the soft ticking of antique clocks. She wanted to carry these memories with her, to have something to hold onto in the lonely days she knew were ahead. As they reached the front door, Rebecca turned to face Luca one last time. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. These two weeks... they've meant more to me than I can express." Luca's carefully controlled expression wavered for a moment. "Rebecca, I..." he began, then stopped, seeming to struggle with his words. And then, suddenly, he was moving towards her. His hands cupped her face, and before Rebecca could process what was happening, his lips were on hers. The kiss was desperate, hungry, filled with all the passion and longing they had shared over the past two weeks. Rebecca responded instantly, her arms wrapping around him, pulling him closer. S