Talia’s POV
“Talia, what on earth happened tonight?” my mother demands immediately I walk through the door. Her voice comes out firm, and the tension in the room hits me instantly. She stands in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed, her eyes wide with worry as she reviews me from head to toe, checking if I am truly fine.
I exhale frustratingly, already feeling drained. Of course the news has reached them even though they had already left the gathering when it happened. “It's nothing, Mom. Just a rejection from my so-called mate. Not officially, though; at least he saved me from the pain that comes with a formal rejection.” My voice sounds tired, even to my ears, but I do not have the energy to dress it up.
“Nothing?” my father's voice cuts in from behind her, loud and fir
