MELISSA
The air was thick with tension, as expected on the day of Damien’s aunt’s funeral. I knew nothing about her beyond what was said during the church service, but I’ve never trusted the glowing eulogies people give at funerals—everyone always seems to find something nice to say.
Damien, however, seemed unfazed. His expression was unreadable, neither happy nor sad. I assumed they weren’t close; after all, he never even introduced me to her.
“Are you planning to bask in the sunlight all day while the guests wait for us?” Damien’s voice broke through my thoughts, startling me. I turned to find him staring at me. I had hidden myself away on the balcony of Victor’s mansion, far from the main gathering held in his aunt’s honor.
I wanted to be away from the crowd and my mother’s prying e
