Chapter 97

• Anastasia forced her gaze back to her plate, listlessly pushing the food around as the robust chatter of conversation swirled around her. The men engaged in animated discussions about business with Sandro, while the women conversed about other women, their children, and the nauseating potential alliances they seemed to uncover among themselves.
• Perhaps the evening would have held more enjoyment for her if she didn't continuously feel like an outsider in this gathering.
• Her sense of isolation was not due to any unkindness on their part; she made an effort to smile as they attempted to include her in their conversations, but ultimately, she could see little merit in becoming acquainted with Sandro's family while they treated her as a mere visitor rather than one of their own.