ARIA’S POV
I sat stiffly at the edge of the chair as I waited for Dante to decide whether he actually wanted to address me or not. I couldn’t relax, not even for a second. The chair felt too big, like it had swallowed me whole.
My eyes kept moving restlessly, flicking from one face to another, then dropping quickly back to the table. I didn’t want anyone to think I was staring at them, but I also couldn’t stop myself. I felt like a trapped bird, every glance around the room just reminding me of the cage I was in.
Hannah had slipped out quietly after bringing me here, and her absence left a hollow pit in my stomach. I realized I didn’t even know her that well—I had only just met her—but at least she had been kind. Her soft eyes and calm smile had made me feel a little better, even if jus
