The noise didn’t fade.
It multiplied.
“Is it fake?”
“Did he pay you?”
“Were you hired?”
The questions were now more rapid and yet more intense--they were no longer inquisitive, but instead accusing.
Giulia was in the middle of it, still holding a phone in her hand, as the headline seared into her eyes like it had been branded on.
Paid contract girlfriend.
Her chest tightened.
Not from guilt.
The manner in which it was turned against her.
She looked at Matteo again.
Say something, she said to him.
His eyes were sweeping back and forth across the crowd, calculating, controlled.
Not panicked.
Never panicked.
“Inside,” he said.
That was it.
No denial.
No defence.
Just control.
Giulia made a little scornful laugh. You do not get to walk away on this.
I am not leaving, he a
