[Music: In This Shirt (Violin) By Joel Sunny]

We found our spot on one of the balconies overlooking the whole grand hall... The best view in the house.

The light had already dimmed, and the orchestra was already starting their performance.

The sound of violins and cellos shrouded the opera house in smooth, melodic waves. Every note echoed through the theater, blending with softness and a little bit of dramatic tones.

As the performance unfolded across the stage, the pace picked up, the sound becoming deafening as it swallowed everything whole, an impossible stillness filling the air.

I felt a heaviness in my chest that had appeared ever since I laid my eyes on Father... and Clara. It had somehow been triggered by this sound, and got heavier.

Seeing my father and Clara felt like the past had caught up to me. In order not to get stuck in them, I closed my eyes, but that was a mistake because I saw a memory... of me running down the stairs, heart pounding as I dashed toward my father’s office.

I opened the door, but Jacob caught me before I had the chance to see. I knew my sister was in there... and I screamed for him to let me go so that I could see her, but I was dragged away.

The news spread across the household like fire... about how Don Salvero had sent back my sister’s remains.

I recalled seeing my father, not a bit angry or any reaction that would show he had lost a daughter. There was nothing. There was a funeral, and I felt like the only one who had lost something.

This came as a shock to me because up until then I thought my father had always loved Annabeth more than me.

My eyes flashed open when I felt Zade’s hand rest on my thigh. The once sense of euphoria that had poisoned my body... that had dragged on after what happened in my closet was replaced with tightness that made my heart feel like it was gonna give away.

I shifted my gaze to Zade and found him looking right at me, and the sudden cold sensation running down my face made me quickly wipe my cheeks.

"Excuse me..." I said, pushing to my feet, not waiting for any response from him as I left the balcony.

I just need somewhere to breathe or something, anywhere as long as I’m away.

"Restroom?"

I jumped.

"Whoa, why so jumpy?"

"Luca?"

He looked polished from head to toe, but the piercing in his two ears still hinted that, beneath that exterior, he carried that dangerous edge.

"In the flesh..." He grinned.

"You’re... here."

"Yep! Though I didn’t arrive fashionably late, as you and my brother did."

"Dante?"

"Enjoying that noise..."

Poor taste in music.

"You’re here to watch me," I said.

"Escorting you."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, sure."

I walked, and he followed. It was no use arguing.

"I think the restroom is over there..." He pointed out. "If that’s where you’re going."

I followed the path and arrived at my destination, pausing before I got in.

"Don’t mind me... I’ll just chill here with my phone." He took the device out from inside his suit pocket, and hearing the noise, I knew he was playing Candy Crush.

Scoffing, I walked in and closed the door behind me. I headed straight into one of the toilet stalls and occupied it.

I took off my gloves and hung them along with my purse on the hook behind the stall door.

I squatted a bit and took off the vibrator, although it was tricky, but I managed to pull it off, welcoming the relief that came with it.

I dumped it in the toilet, and a small plop noise filled the air. I flushed the toilet, the water swirling violently before vanishing.

"I hope it doesn’t clog the pipes," I muttered before shrugging. "Not my business anymore."

After finishing the rest of my business, I got out of the stall and went to the sink. I set my purse and gloves aside before washing my hands and drying them.

I was in the middle of putting my gloves back on when the door opened, and Clara walked in.

"Oh, we meet again..." She closed the door behind her and walked toward the sink.

She smiled at me, but I didn’t return it, focusing on touching up my makeup.

"I get it, okay..." Clara began, checking her face and doing poses. "You probably feel like punching me in the face right now."

"You read my mind..." I muttered.

"You already did, though. So I guess that makes us even."

I had hit her in the fit of rage when she talked nonsense about Annabeth.

"Good to see you’re all healed up."

"Ana..."

"What?" I snapped.

"Let’s get on with a fresh start."

"And why is that...?" I questioned sharply.

"Well, because now we’re both together with powerful men..."

"What are you—"

Clara raised her finger, where I saw a diamond ring. "I’m engaged."

"That is good news," I said flatly.

"Things have changed, Ana..."

"I’m sure it has."

"I mean, who would have thought you were the one marrying Zade Salvero?"

My stomach clenched.

"We heard the news back then, and it spread like wildfire, but I never imagined that you were the bride. Who could have known?"

I wish she would stop talking now.

"I get it, okay? The kind of world we were born into... where fathers make choices for their daughters and sons to be what... the leaders? Doesn’t seem fair right?"

I sighed, pinning her with a look.

"I think I should be glad my father isn’t a Don and I don’t have to worry about my future being taken away."

"Now you sound like the gossiping bitch I remember."

She laughed lightly.

I’m done with this.

I shoved my things into my purse and attempted to leave.

"Oliver is dying to see you..."

I halted mid-step and twirled to her. "Pardon?"

"My fiancé..."

"What does that have to—"

"I think you know him as Shane."

The color drained from my face.