Chapter 17: Sinful Symphony.

Violet Virgilson.

The morning sun felt like an intruder, slashing through my curtains and landing harshly on my face. I groaned, tossing the pillow across the bed as if it could erase the memory of last night. But it couldn’t. Nothing could—not Rudolpho’s ridiculous demands or the endless echo of Vincent’s voice circling my mind like a predator.

I sat up, hair a wild halo around my face, pressing my hands to my temples. Why is desire so cruel? Why does ...