#Chapter 140 – Inquiries

Ivan doesn’t reply to me by the time I head down for breakfast, but I don’t worry about it. We ended yesterday poorly after all – and he might hate me a little bit now. So, I imagine that giving him a little time to decide what to do makes sense. Feeling cheerful and confident about how I’ve taken my world into my own hands at least a little bit, I stride confidently into breakfast in my riding clothes, my hair braided neatly back. I ignore Natalia completely as I pass her on my way to the espresso bar, instead calling warm greetings to the older gentlemen there, who are very happy to see me. After passing a few minutes with them, I turn towards Daniel, who is already seated at our table. I pass Alessi on the way, brushing a friendly hand across his shoulder as I go, and then I sit down across from Daniel with an apology on my lips. But he beats me to it. “I’m sorry, Fay,” he says, shaking his head, the moment I sit down. “No, Daniel,” I say, reaching out to take his hand. “It