I shoved Leandro into the closet. He stumbled back into the closet, barely catching his balance. I whispered furiously for him to stay quiet. He teased me by wanting to go out, but I pushed him back. I pressed a hand over my pounding heart, counted to three, and ready to open the door. I yanked open the door and faced my parents and Elio.
“What’s going on?” my father barked, looking at me confused.
I blinked innocently. “I... I had a nightmare. I thought someone was in my room. I was checking if there’s a monster under my bed.” I’m so stupid for saying that, but I can’t blame my brain for slowing down after Leandro kissed me.
They frowned, suspicious, but I forced a shaky breath and said, “Let’s talk downstairs.”
I walked past them and Elio took a last glance into my room and they followed me downstairs. As soon as we got into the living room, my father didn't waste time.
“The wedding is rescheduled for next month,” he announced grimly. I clenched my fists and looked at them one by one to see if they’re joking.
"You’re still forcing me to marry him after everything?" I said, voice sharp. My mother wrung her hands. My father stood rigid, unmoving.
"Family alliances matter more than personal feelings," he said coldly.
"And Elio screwing Natalie Romano doesn't matter to you?" I snapped. My father’s jaw tightened. My mother closed her eyes.
"We're aware," my father said. "It was handled. He will not see Natalie Romano again." Handled. Like covering up garbage. The disgust in my chest burned.
“You’d rather marry me off to a liar and a cheater because it benefits you,” I said, my voice cracking. "You don't even care."
My father’s face hardened. “You will attend the Conti masquerade ball tonight with Elio. You will smile and you will behave. You’re still his fiance even though the wedding got cancelled yesterday."
"And if I don’t?" I asked, daring him.
"We pull you out of art school. Immediately. Forget about your future then.”
My heart dropped. I said nothing.
When they left, Elio stayed behind to talk to me. He shut the living room door, stepping into my space.
"Where did you go last night?" he growled.
I folded my arms. "None of your business."
His eyes narrowed. "Who did you sleep with?"
I shrugged. "I don’t even remember his name. Some guy on Marlowe Avenue. I didn’t even ask for his name." It was a terrible lie. My voice shook. I couldn’t even look him in the eye.
He smirked, dark and dangerous. "You’re lying. You can’t even look at me."
"So what if I am?" I snapped, meeting his gaze fully now. "At least he didn't say another girl's name at the altar." His smirk vanished. His face twisted into something ugly.
"You little—" I stepped closer, daring him.
"What, Elio? Gonna hit me? Go ahead. Prove to everyone what a great husband you’ll be." He gritted his teeth so hard I thought they'd crack.
"You think this changes anything?" he hissed. "You're still mine. You’re going to be my wife and you will behave and obey my rules." I laughed — sharp, bitter.
"In your dreams," I said, brushing past him. He grabbed my wrist roughly, yanking me.
"Touch me again," I said low and deadly, "and I'll make sure everyone sees the real you." For a long second, we stared each other down. Then he turned and stalked out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
I bolted back upstairs, heart hammering. I threw open the closet.
Empty.
Leandro was gone — vanished like smoke, but somehow, I knew he wasn’t far. I collapsed onto my bed, dizzy with everything.
On the table, my phone buzzed.
I blinked. I had blocked Leandro, hadn’t I? I picked up the phone.
New message.
From the same number I had blocked.
Somehow, he'd unblocked himself.
I opened it.
Leandro: Miss me yet, princess? Bet you’re still thinking about how good I ruined you.
My whole body flushed. My fingers curled around the phone so tightly I thought it might crack.
I hated him. I hated him...
But god help me — I wanted him too.