*Giovani*

There was awkwardness in the air as Olivia stared up at me with those wide, innocent eyes. It was clear to me that she had no clue what I was talking about.

I could feel Tallon and Gabriele’s eyes on me, wondering what I was going to say, but no matter how much I tried, the words wouldn’t fall from my lips.

It was like there was a hard ball of lead stuck in my throat, cutting off my airway, and all I could do was try to swallow it ...