The second we step into the bedroom, I just lose it. Like, full-on breakdown mode. The tears come fast, ugly, and messy. My heart feels like it’s been shredded with a cheese grater. My brother’s a bloody, broken mess. And Papa… I cut him off, for real this time.
“Gabriella, calm down… just breathe, okay?” Dante pulls me into his arms, holding me like I’m the most precious damn thing in the world. His hand rubs circles into my back and he whispers, “Breathe, darling.”
I want to believe Papa had a reason. I really do. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. But no…he did it. He actually f*****g did it. “He betrayed me, Dante. Papa… he really betrayed me.”
“Shhh... forget about him,” he murmurs into my hair. “Don’t let that asshole keep hurting you.”
I nod, but the tears keep strea
