te

that had clearly been festering for a long time. He

gaze-only the dull, flat look of a

done," Ma

her eyes dissolving into a fragile, c

His voice was flat. Dead. "You are

amed, her voice cracking. "I

e pointed to the door with a tre

ving tracks through her makeup. "Help

ing to my arm, and a wave

thought you were dying," I said,

gued, her nails diggin

ing her fingers o

to look up into my eyes. I leaned in close, dropping my voice

said. "You stole my life. You dest

her. You chose me. Tonight

anding in the candlelight, her heart in her eyes.

pered, the words tasting l

ds standing like sta

The one with the padded walls. She never leaves. She never speaks

! Daddy

ealizing the cage door was closing. She dragged her nails across

the hall, swallowed b

to the room, heav

into her hands. Marco was staring

in Giuliana's hand. Alessia's s

ulled out my phone. I d

n eternity, followed by the three tone

have dialed is

numb fingers. It hit the

silence of that room, I k