tina'

r was thick with the rich aroma of truffles, mixed with the fai

as my b

on, promising me that tonight would i

aring a dark suit, lookin

lecloth, gently took my hand, and fasten

f priceless "blood diamonds," ti

en around much lately. I know this

and looked up at

he heavy mahogany door

a visibly reluctant Leo. Her hair was a

st run a long distance. "Leo is sick, and his

n the corner immedia

ir wives in the hall turned their heads,

g that the head of the family had actually abandon

is mother's hand and

uch!" Leo cried, throwing

inted a trembli

you away!" he screamed, hi

lass of expensive red wine from the

hed all over my chest, sl

Dante's jaw twi

made a loud bang against the har

tely!" Dante commanded, his voi

arms and glared at me fierc

rward, her posture slightly ben

her head and

ween sobs. "It's all my fault. I didn't

itical gazes of the family wive

d, my tone cal

our family, Dante,

at my stained dress, then at hi

up the boy and hurriedly left the restaura

e at the d

ed the wine stains from my skin,

musicians, who stood

aying,"

y own black card to pa

proached me

ill like your birthday ca

it," I

l, delicate cake, and I

lent wish i

ete freedom, to be

k a picture of the cake and uploade

add any

of the club, m

message, desperately apolog

ansfer notification. He had wired anothe

on the couch in

t broke the quiet was not a sound,

let out a faint

revice of the sofa cushion, my fingertip

led through the crack in the door as the l

a brown paper bag conta

table, sat down next to me, and

nd I had to take him to the clinic.

hand on his chest a

ation need

flash of obvious

damental shift

he said. "Why aren't

care anymore,"

ching his jaw, his expre

quickly appeased his ego, reach

ther, Dante. I adm

long breath, lea

recovers, we will have a grand wed

ang, the harsh ringtone shatte

t the screen

phone and presse

tory!" the child's voice came th

ard softly humming a lullaby, with that kind of

ression again, turning to l

waved toward

on my cheek, grabbed his coat

ush that the phone

o his footsteps gradually fade in the hallway, eventually c

ame up from the floorboards. It was the sou

line, the woman's lull

, the screen went black, and the entire apartment