I Had Hardly Seen Stefano the Next Day

Stefano had been scarce the entire day, preoccupied with the grim preparations for yet another attack. The thought of what he was orchestrating twisted my insides. I wrestled with the guilt of knowing I couldn't stop the bloodshed-and worse, that I'd remain a bystander to it all. Every moment spent trapped in this room only sharpened the edges of my helplessness, slowly driving me mad.

Thankfully, I wasn't left alone with my thoughts. Two ...