Eight months ago, Sandra had left Venice, walking out of her husband’s life and vowing never to return. And she had kept her word resolutely, regardless of all temptation. How could she live with a man who had married her out of cold-blooded ambition and for no other reason? But Marco didn’t see it like that. ‘You have been away long enough, he told her implacably.

‘We are still married and I see no reason why we shouldn’t continue to be. How could she convince him that he was wrong? And did she really want to?