h a weak smile. It had been three days since Leo had stormed out, leaving her to shoulder the burden alone-agai

sabella's weak voi

ng to listen to the sorry words of her m

ed "I'm sorry, Alessia. If wasn't..so broken, you wouldn't have

m. You're going to get better. You just need to rest." She tried to re

interrupted her words, leaving her gasping for air. Alessia held her close, trying to comfort her. "Shh, Mom. It's not your faul

our eyes and

hild. She lay back against the tattered couch,

ft with nothing-no savings, no security, and hardly any strength left. The silence of the apartment ec

cracked mirror, and tiles so stained that they looked permanently dirty no matter how hard she sc

d herself on being strong, on holding it together for her mother's sake, for her own. Tears were a luxury she couldn't afford-at le

e pressure was too much, and no matter how many times she told herself she could handle it, she was breaking. Quickly, she wiped

essia froze for a second, her heart pounding. Another knock, this time more forceful.

the l

ld even greet him. "You think I'm running some charity here, girl? Two months,

h to respond, but he di

with that money by the end of the week, or you and your sick mother c

des, the words "sick mother" hitting her harder than any insult he could throw at her. Her voice was

and more time working, you wouldn't be in this mess. Or better yet, why don't you use that pret

eep her temper in check. The words stung, but she swallowed her anger, trying to st

ow and full of malice. "You better, or you and your sick m

!! rent!!! Maybe you should do something about your building before talking about rent. Your building's a piece of junk! Every time it rains, it's like livi

e darkened. "You u

ng everything I can, and you're acting like I'm trying to cheat you. Mayb

haven't thrown you out already. If you don't have that money b

r. "Fine! I'll get you the money," she spat, slam

aline rushed through her veins, but as it began to fade, the crushing weight of her situation settled in. How was she suppo

the couch, blissfully unaware of the storm raging in h

muttered bitterly. "How d

c, another knock came at the door. This one was louder, more forceful. She

" she yelled, storming toward the door

es locked with the last person she ever

e Ru

was stained with blood and power, feared and respected in every corner of Velanc

here?" she stammered, her h

aking danger. There was no mistaking the deadly aura surrounding him, and as he stepped f

as he