Clarissa’s POV
The moment the door slammed, the sound cracked through me like an explosion . Dante’s footsteps were already fading down the path, but my legs wouldn’t move.
I sank onto the couch, hands trembling as the reality of what I’d done wrapped itself around my throat. A sob tore from my chest. It was sharp, humiliating and very painful. I buried my face in my palms and let it come.
“Clarissa, oh sweetheart…” Maya’s voice came from somewhere to my left.
I felt the couch dip beside me as she sat down, her warm hand smoothing over my back. That small gesture broke me further.
“He hates me,” I choked out. “I saw it in his eyes. I—” My voice shattered. “I disappointed him. And myself. And all the women who believed in me. I ruined everything.”
“No, no, no,” Maya murmured, pullin
