Vitiel

is a quie

ya. I didn't speak. I didn't check the news. I simply... existed. I let the silence scrub

hide from the

a request; it was a summons. To refuse would be t

to my body like a second skin, with a slit that sliced up to my thigh and a nec

mo, her fingers trembling sligh

ice unfamiliar in it

ent of Casablanca lilies and old money. Heads turned. Whispers rippled t

I saw

e an

ante's arm, whispering in his ear like a conspirator. Dante looked... impeccable. A tuxedo that

he s

roze. He expected to see a wreck. He expected p

ooked right through him, as if he were mer

ltures. "Oh my god, how are you? We heard about Dante's

ragedy. They wanted the

ession. "I'm doing wonderful, actually.

e'll remember?" one as

by tables to catch every syllable. "People change. Re

into the side of my face. He

ident. My indifference was a weapon he didn't know how to parry. He wa

ame th

ttle class, suggested Truth or Dare. It was juvenile, yes,

spun. It po

looking at Dante w

have Dante confess his love for yo

hands, delighted

her lips. "And maybe Elena can tell u

The tension was thic

wanted me to break. He wanted me to run ou

p of my champagn

blade. "I think Gia is confused. A third wheel implies I'm par

ard a muscle ticked in his cheek. His ego, tha

" Dante repeated, his voic

d. "A past a

a physical wave of heat. He grabbed Gia by the waist. He

one," Dante sneered,

isse

ding. It was aggressive, messy, and perf

tangling in her hair with bruising force.

thless. Gia looked d

s black holes of malice. "N

the table. It made a

ur ego, Dante," I said sof