Lily's POV.
The room is dim, the only light coming from a single bedside lamp. I sit curled up in the armchair next to the window, staring out at the dark gardens beyond. The untouched dinner tray Isabella brought earlier sits on the table, the food cold by now.
I hug my knees to my chest, feeling the hollow ache of loneliness gnawing at me.
I don't belong here. I never did. Selina made sure that I knew that. Dante too. Every look, every word. It's like they're just waiting for me to make a mistake.
My chest tightens painfully. I miss Alessio more fiercely than I ever expected. The whole day had stretched out endlessly without him, like I was stranded, waiting for something, anything to feel safe again.
Then, faintly, I hear it. Raised voices echoing from downstairs. I can't make out
