Lina, who was standing nearby with her usual calm poise, chuckled when she saw Bella's frozen expression. She stepped forward and touched Bella's arm lightly.
"Bella, meet Alessandro," Lina said warmly, her eyes soft with pride. "He's my husband… and your father-in-law."
Bella's eyes widened even more. "F-Father-in-law?" she stammered, blinking fast. She almost bowed on instinct, hugging her arms to her chest like a flustered kitten.
Jay, sitting on the couch nearby, nearly burst out laughing at her expression. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, grinning like a cat who got the cream. "She thought it was Leo from the back," he teased, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Right, Bella?"
Bella's cheeks burned. "I… I did not—!"
