ad like I was nothing more than a ghost beside him. Not that I was surpri

ing my way, "we're here. You can step out no

cutting. Like a bla

alm as I fought the urge to snap back. Instead, I inhaled s

here

w...

ould so proudly cal

looked almost unreal. Like something out of a luxury magaz

lated. Im

ith a quiet finality. I turned to look one last t

was

life, Antonia. Let

s, towering crystal chandeliers, designer chairs arranged like museum pieces, and a shimmering i

of wealth, of c

ot of

was perfect. E

memories etched into these walls. No laug

ill change this. I'll paint this cold place w

sandro said suddenly, voice

ing second, warmth flickered behind those

he kept

nd serenades," he said bitterly. "Bec

k died i

our room is to the left. Mine is to the right. Under no circums

t like a wall goi

less it's a family gathering, a formal event, or when I need a

g more than I

ermission. Everything you need is within th

pping into something da

s are broken... there

ce, stunned by the cruelty w

a response. He di

he finished.

ared down the corridor, leaving behind no

ng back, something burni

A

t the quiet mansion walls. My hands trembled as I backed away, m

buried my face in my hands and sobbed,

ne? What have

grief and frustration,

ro

c-my favorite color. S

ed in d

d perfume. Not just any perfume-but my scent. T

h, eco-friendly garden bloomed in carefully cultivated b

ble shimmered under the warm lights, and the air sme

vering from someth

id he

nd for the first time that day, I allowed

sn't entire

e-tugged at my lips.

hroom again. The bath was already fille

mbracing me like a second skin,

o relax, a painful th

a

he doing? Is he getting the

nd slow. He hadn't even

his dream. N

ment from him witho

hispered into the air, the w

determination spark

. I don't care wh

t vow rooted it

AS

d from beyond th

water sloshing v

Then a

. Heavy.

umped into

was in

en't trying