t throw the

oo smart

us. The porcelain struck the marble with a sharp report, l

rself onto the ground, landing on her

she sc

scopic cut on her palm until she forced a s

s of the conferenc

allaro st

black suit that likely cost more t

ck, severe and sharp, reveal

ips of obsidian that absorbed

seated on the sofa, a study in stillness. And Sofia, arra

!" she

so much as spa

ing to Sofia. This man, who they called the R

see," he

cratch. A papercut. But he t

this?" he

ked at

mouth, his face

t," I sa

pt. Instead, he fixed me with the cool, appraising gaze on

n it, only a heavy,

ked. His voice was so low it wa

," I

myself? I d

s chest. "She called me a whore

p, pulling So

ound her waist, prot

by." He kissed

nt to Dante. Three months and he hadn't

es, not watchin

r my allowance,

lau

reed. You smell money li

That's what h

fty thousa

enough morphine to carry me to the end,

e sm

eated. "For what? A new

ses,"

ulled out a checkbook. He scribbled som

t to me. He held it

"Go buy yourself something nic

or two hundred t

tears instantly drying. Sh

rned bac

oney, Elena

I whi

ress. "Lower your high-born head and say you're sorry.

ked a

t the man

had destroyed my

ignity for cash. An

shot through my body. I didn't have t

Dante i

e it, Dant

logize. I tu

" he b

dn't

back, a palpable, burning weig

uddenly

t this money could have let me

ld he fe