**Lucia’s POV**

“Arghhh!”

I was still on the floor where he left me, my body curled slightly to the side, tears soaking into the floor beneath my cheek.

My throat burned. Every swallow felt like I was gulping down pins. I lifted a trembling hand to my neck and winced as my fingers brushed against it. It felt hot and swollen.

It hurt.

It hurt so much because he meant it.

Stefano. The man I loved more than my own life.

I dragged in a shaky breath and tried to sit up. My arms felt weak, my ...