Chapter 47

DANTE'S POV

After a long and boring drive, I finally reached my house. My footsteps felt heavy, almost as if they were sinking into the ground. The house seemed colder than usual, emptier.

I poured myself a drink and sat down, staring at the amber liquid swirl in the glass. I could still feel the tension in my shoulders, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. But now, alone in the dim light of my study, I felt something else creeping in — a sense of guilt that I couldn’t shake off.

I took a deep drink, feeling the burn of the alcohol spread through my chest, trying to numb the thoughts crowding my mind.

Aria’s face appeared in my mind, her eyes filled with hurt. I couldn’t ignore the feeling that I had indeed done her wrong. I had believed Linda’s lies, doubted Aria when I should’ve stood by her.

I slammed the glass down on the table, feeling the anger rising again, this time directed at myself.

How could I have been so stupid, so blind?

I poured myself another drink, thinking