Mirabella
I froze.
The word had slipped from my mouth too quickly, and I immediately regretted it. My gaze dropped to the cupcake in my hand. I couldn’t look at him. Instead, I took a big bite and forced myself to chew slowly, hoping he wouldn’t push for more.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him frown. He knew. He knew.
Please don’t ask more.
“Mira...” he said softly, “Did he treat you well?”
No.
He was a monster. Death would’ve been easier than enduring another day with him. But could I tell Antonio that? Would he look at me differently? Would he be disgusted?
“Yeah... He treated me... well...” I lied.
The words felt like poison on my tongue. I had never told such a big lie out loud before. I hated myself for it. How pathetic could I be? Why couldn’t I just tell him the truth?
