Chapter 12
Pepper
Mom: Pepper, where are you? Everyone’s worried.
Me: I’m safe. Taking some time off for a few days.
Mom: You have responsibilities here. I understand you weren’t supposed to leave the Bellissimo. You’re already in a lot of trouble. Hugh is beside himself. Don’t make this worse.
I don’t answer. The mention of Hugh means they didn’t hear me when I said I was done with him. They can worry their little pants off. All of them.
The one person I haven’t heard from is Tony.
I’m not saying I want to hear from him. I don’t.
But I feel the absence of him everywhere. My body grieves his touch. My soul longs for his quiet presence, his protective strength. My heart? My heart breaks and breaks and breaks.
And breaks.
I can’t cry. I’ve tried—I feel like I need to. But I just ca
