Page 110 of Devious Love

“By wearing yourself out? By pushing yourself past your limit? Bullshit.” When Dad curses, it means he’s pissed. He never swears in front of me. “I would’ve sent you more money whether your mother wanted me to or not. This is your first year of college. So much has changed, and it can’t be easy. You should’ve been focusing on studying, on having fun with your friends. Going out, falling in love.”

“I did that last part,” I whisper through my tears. “Not that it did me any good.”

Dad exhales. “The way he looked at you when we FaceTimed? I was sure he loved you.”

“I thought so too, but if he loved me, he wouldn’t have hurt me the way he did. It was cruel.” I hiccup. “I don’t know whatto do, Dad.” I close my eyes, sending another wave of tears cascading down my face. “This whole town reminds me of him. And Mom will be unbearable once she finds out we broke up. She’s been so horrible to me…”

“Why doesn’t Allan step in? I thought he was the levelheaded one.”

“He tries. The car was a gift from him and Dominic, and he offered me money behind Mom’s back, but I couldn’t take it. I didn’t want to come between them. I got a job and started freelancing, and then it all became too much, and I’m falling short in every aspect of my life.”

I shake my head and wipe my face with my sleeve. “I don’t know how I’m going to function when everything reminds me of him, when we’re so tangled in each other’s lives because of Mom and Allan and Matt.”

Dad sighs into the phone. “Come to Italy.”

My heart stumbles in my chest. “What?”

“Apply to school here. Meet with your guidance counselor and initiate a transfer. I can talk to a friend in admissions and get things done quickly. When the school year is over, move in with me. Start fresh. Get out of that house, out of that city. Give yourself a real chance at something new.”

My heart rate picks up as the idea sinks in, and I realize I’m not opposed to it. I’ve done it before, really, when I moved to Phoenix. So it’s not impossible. In fact, it sounds like freedom.

“But it’s only February,” I say, my voice small.

“You’re strong, sweetie. You can make it through the next couple of months,” Dad says gently. “Think about it, and if you really want to do it, I’ll make sure things go smoothly from my side.”

“Okay.” I nod. “And Dad? Please don’t mention this to Mom yet. I have enough drama to deal with already.”

“Of course. Are you going home now?”

“Yeah. I think a good night’s sleep will help. It won’t heal my broken heart, but it’ll help with my puffy eyes and pale skin.”

He chuckles. “Okay. Shoot me a text when you’re home.”

Once I’ve ended the call, I toss my phone on the passenger seat and drive home slowly. For the first time since I started dating Dominic, I let myself imagine a life without him.

CHAPTER 31

i hope she never looks your way again

DOMINIC

Age 23

February

The smell of pizza,something I usually love, makes my stomach turn. The flickering candlelight makes my head pound. Remi is still on my lap; my hands are still on her hips. She’s whispering in my ear, but my brain doesn’t register her words. I’m too focused on the door Mia just disappeared through.

My whole world just walked out of this apartment, and I let her go.

Inhaling deeply, I crane my neck away from Remi. She pulls back, her lips spreading into a wide smile, and traces a line down my neck with her fingernail.

“Your plan worked,” she murmurs. “That little girl will never bother you again.”

I swallow, and it’s painful, as though there’s broken glass in my throat.

“What are we going to do now?”

Expression flat, I say, “You’re leaving too.”