*ADELINE*
The morning light cut through the sheer curtains, spilling across the room in a golden haze, illuminating the remnants of last night's chaos in all their glory. My head throbbed in protest, pounding like a drum in a distant parade that I wished I could escape. I squinted at the note from Vincenzo, crinkled and waiting patiently for my attention on the nightstand. "Drink the juice and take the painkillers," it read. "We need to talk about your recklessness."
Ah, recklessness. My new favorite word. I dragged myself out of bed, the cool floor tiles shocking my feet awake, and made my way to the bathroom. Peering into the mirror, I was met with a distorted reflection—a wild mess of tousled hair and puffy eyes that spoke volumes about the choices I'd made the night before.
The me
