Chapter 21

ARIA'S POV

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken past and hurt. I watched as emotions played out on Dante's face - surprise, anger, and something that looked a lot like pain.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, clearly struggling to find the right words. It was so unlike the confident, smooth-talking Dante I used to know.

But then he squared his shoulders, his eyes hardening. "What matters is that you cheated on me, Aria. With him." He nodded in the direction where Adam was standing across the room.

"Cheated? Are you serious right now?"

Before I could unleash the torrent of words I had been holding back, I caught sight of Adam over Dante's shoulder. He was walking towards us, his face filled with anger. I shook my head slightly, trying to signal him to stay back, but it was no use. He had this look on his face and I knew nothing was going to stop him.

"Dante," I said urgently, "you need to go. Now."

Dante, as stubborn as always, stood his ground. "You have