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Evelyn

“I told you, I really think she needs professional help.”

I look at Harmony, who is telling me that she thinks Astra needs to be admitted somewhere. It has been two months now since her sister’s passing, and since Lucien decided to give her an ultimatum—one that I think was necessary, but difficult for her.

“You really think we haven’t tried that already? We have sent her to treatment 3 times in the last 6 years. It never works.”

She stares at her coffee, trying to think of a solution.

“We can’t just let her kill herself, Evelyn. She needs something neither of us can give her. After Lucien dumped her, she has been worse— way worse.”

“He didn’t break up with her, Harmony. She chose to leave. It was her choice.”

The silence lingers between us.

“I just wish I could help her…”

“I know you do. We all do, but some things are out of our control. By the way, are you still being um… followed?”

She scans the room nervously as if someone is watching her this very moment.

“I can’t talk about it.” She casts me a pleading glance, and I nod, knowing some things aren’t meant to be messed with. I can thank Dante for suppressing my curious instincts. I slide out of the booth, and we say our goodbyes. I head outside to meet Dante, who is already waiting on his Ducati.

He insisted that I ride with him on it, since he found out I have become an adrenaline junkie. I slide on the helmet as he fastens the straps, securing me. I slide onto the back of his bike and wrap my hands around his middle, hugging him tightly as he takes off towards his house—our home.

* * *

I’m in the kitchen, making my favorite dessert—brownies. I have always been a chocolate kind of girl. There is something about it that reminds me of home. I feel at home here. I have been living with Dante for a couple of months, and my life couldn’t be more perfect. Speak of the Devil. I turn around and Dante stares at me from across the kitchen with his arms crossed over his broad chest, eyeing me up as if I am his next snack.

“How long are you going to be? I’m getting lonely.”

I roll my eyes at his childish behavior.

“You’re a big boy. I think you can occupy yourself for an hour.” I make a shooing motion with my hands, and he stays put.

“Why are you making brownies? We haven’t even had dinner yet?”

“I like to be prepared.” I shoot my eyes at him, almost as a challenge.

“You’re the least prepared person I know,” he mocks, and he saunters off to the elevator, allowing me to be a chef in peace.

I slide the brownies into the oven, and I plop down onto the couch. I open my phone, catching up on anything I’ve missed.

The first post that appears features Astra and a group of girls at a bar. She started going out as soon as she was healed. I’ve been invited a handful of times, but I’ve been staying in more. I love my quiet nights with Dante. I know I’m safe here.

I scroll through the app, seeing lots of posts from people that I don’t ever talk to. What’s even the point of social media, anyway? I roll my eyes and lock my phone.

I lay down, just staring at the ceiling, waiting for my goddamn brownies.

Maybe tonight I can convince Dante to have another movie night. I rather enjoyed the first one. My cheeks heat at the memory. I threw myself off the edge of a cliff that night, and Dante waited at the bottom, ready to catch me.

* * *

“So you’re not hungry?”

Dante looks frustrated.

“Nope. I had a few brownies. I am fine, I promise.” I smile at him, batting my eyelashes.