Liora was still talking, oblivious, and I forced myself to focus on her words even though I couldn't hear them anymore over the ringing in my ears.
Dante reached for his phone. And yet, of course, the pain in my eyes didn't escape his sharp eyes, but then again he ignored me… just like he always did. Like I was some trash that didn't matter.
And the way he was talking, God, the way he was talking… His voice was soft. Gentle. The kind of tone I hadn't heard directed at me in years. Maybe ever.
"What's wrong?" he said into the phone, and there was actual concern there. Worry. Like whoever was on the other end mattered.
I sat back down next to Liora, my movements mechanical, and tried to pretend I couldn't hear him. Tried to pretend it didn't feel like someone was slowly carving out my in
