Bound by blood and vows

ighting up every corner of Aria's headache. She groaned, turning away from the window,

with two mugs in hand. "You've got calls from

d sat up slowly.

. "Your phone's on the

missed calls. Her heart sank when she saw her mother's name dominate the list.

. The Riccis are hosting a brunch. Please

isbelief. "They set up a bru

t the doorway. "Sh

not g

being difficult. You want to survive this mess? S

er looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine-tall gates, pristine hedges, expensive

and cold formality. Her parents were already seated wi

ther cooed, as if they

i said smoothly. "We've be

lipping into the empty

ly the wedding will be," Mr. Ricci s

odest," her mother added, with th

bli

ps stole the room's

ame like second skin, his sharp features unreadable. He nodde

oin us, son," Mr.

imself a glass of water, then returned to

notice how coldly beautiful he was.

aps the two of you would

pushing back his chair. "It's time

box. Aria followed him toward the adjoining lounge,

and towering windows. Leonardo walked to the mini bar and

t offer

ndow, arms folded. "Do you al

cial rituals I didn't ask for

. "I didn't ask

inally looking at her pr

t supposed to be some

o soft for this world. I figure

etly. "Just... tired of peop

accept the

wasn't give

and calm. "Neither was I. B

e because I'd stay quiet, right? Becau

ce answer

ou know, if you wanted Be

ho thrives on attention

onardo. I'm not just going to sit pret

y. "Then you'll make this

you should've picked someo

dn't

of the room without another word, head

ove for a long ti

e she was quiet at the gala. Soft-spoken. Almost in

alked away with fire in her s

ondering what other su

ollapsed onto the couch, silent.

er after a wh

than ex

o's silence. His words. Her decision to walk

"You still want to g

have a

hange t

linked

don't," Lina said. "Be so strong that ev

k. But something

he forgotten sister. The

k into hell, she'

e devil hol

ent dresses. One was sleek, dark, and daring-the kind of outfit Bella would wear without

yself I'm not invisible?" A

thout hesitation. "That one. Yo

n a brush through her hair, and added just enough lipstick to make her feel bold.

the pain," Aria murmured. "I w

you dance like no one's watching. And i

r, Aria didn't look back. Her heart was heav

who would fade quietly into his