Vitiel

a sharp, tearing pain ri

ng paint and cheap fluorescent lights were a jarring contrast to the vaulted, cus

hed a hand down to t

teeth, dropping my hand immediately. A fresh sheet of cold sweat instantly soaked through the thin, scratchy f

lightly, scanning

ses, no fresh flowers, no security detail at the door. Dante's neglect

tal door han

tted, not a single crease on his clothes. He looked like a god walking into a slum. His immac

atience crossed his icy blue eyes before he forced it away. He despised sic

he faint, sweet scent o

thrown away all my favorite floral scents years ago because Dante said he prefer

lastic chair and sat down

tone was flat, treating the questio

tely dead, mimicking the exhaustion of a clueless patient. "What

Mafia wife slipped effo

lied smoothly, not missing a single beat. "I

ding band on his left ring finger. It was a micro-expression I had learned

at that ring like it was a holy relic. Now

eak, convincin

ied with my total submission. He truly believed he

s, reaching out toward where his hand rested on the bedr

nched. He pulled his hand back half an inch. He stopped himself from pullin

nted. A broken, ble

vily onto the white bedsheets. I gripped the cheap fabric tightly. I w

y in his chair. "The surgery was a complete suc

r. The guilt was a microscopic itch h

medical suite?" I asked, my voice barely

nd of his lie. I knew exactly why. Sofia was curren

g the security grid at the penthouse. I

t business to cover

ide as if the conversation had drained the last of my energy. Every word

s million-dollar Patek Philippe watch. He wasn't even trying to hi

his tailored jacket. "I have an emergen

able excuse he had used to

beg him to stay. I didn't reach out. I just l

ease crossed his handsome face. To compensate, he leaned down over the bed, aimi

I violently turned my head to the si

was too strong. I could

hardened into a mask of pure, offended authority. He coul

ruised ego. He straightened up abruptly. "Get some sleep," he or

door clicked s

ged sound of my own breathing. That door didn't just separate the hallwa

ring pain and pushed the thin blan

bloody gauze was taped secu

omen. The lie was so insultingly sloppy, so breathtakingly arr

void beneath my skin. I pressed down slightly, letting the sharp spike of pain ground

n. The brutal, unforgiving nature of the city resonated in my bones. In this world,

w. I stared at the empty room, and a slow, f

e, your arrogance w