Mom’s face floods with relief.
I hate it. I want to cut out my own tongue for the words I just spoke, but I keep my expression neutral.
“All right, Cristiano. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Mom hesitates, still watching me warily. Then, slowly, she moves past me, keeping close to the wall, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
I don’t move. I just watch her go with a calmness I don’t feel. When she disappears around the corner, I let out a slow breath.
I don’t let the rage return or the grief swallow me whole. Instead, I stand very still in the darkened hallway and think.
Mom forgave me. I’m not entirely sure she was sincere, but she accepted my apology, and maybe in time, she’ll believe that I’m different.
That’s what I need to do with Mina.
Tonight I scared her too badly. If I go to her now, I’ll only make things worse. But maybe tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the day after that.
I’ll show Mina I’ve changed. I’ll be strong enough to control myself, and earn her love. I’ll prove that what happened tonight was an aberration, not who I really am.
I’ll be patient. I’ll be perfect. I’ll be everything she wants me to be.
And eventually she’ll come back to me.
Because my feelings for her aren’t wrong. They’re not twisted or sick or dangerous. IloveMina. I love her more than anyone has ever loved anyone, and love like that doesn’t just disappear.
I just have to be better. Smarter. More controlled.
I turn and walk back to my room, my steps steady, my mind clear.
I’ll win Mina back.
No matter what.
6
Mina
Four years later
“See you tomorrow,”I call out, waving as Katrina and Priya head toward the parking lot.
“Don’t forget, Giodorno’s Pizza at seven,” Katrina shouts back. “If you’re late, I’m eating your garlic knots.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Try me!”
I’m laughing as I watch them go, still grinning as I hoist my bag higher on my shoulder. The sun is warm on my face, the sky a perfect, cloudless blue. Classes are almost over forever. In three more weeks, I’ll be done with exams and done with high school. Summer is coming.
And then my steps falter. There’s a figure leaning against the wall by the gates. Tall. Broad. Arms crossed. Blond curls fallingover his brow. His old spot. The place he used to wait for me, back before he showed me who he really is.
For one dizzying moment, the world tilts. Cristiano is waiting for me at the school gates after four years of silence.
The boy shifts, turning his head, and I see his face properly. It’s not Cristiano. Just some random senior waiting for his girlfriend. I let out a breath as my pulse slowly returns to normal.
It’s been four years since he locked me in his wardrobe. I should be over him. Iamover him, but it would be easier not to anticipate Cristiano around every corner if I wasn’t still living with him. I envy my sister Rosa, who’s five years older than me and moved out of the Montoni mansion years ago.
