DANTE

After Vivienne leaves, I pick up the phone she abandoned on the table.

"She's pathetic," Aria says, her voice flat. "Jumping ship the moment she realizes Emma's plan won't work."

"She's also useful." I replay the recording, listening to Emma's cold certainty. "This gives us leverage. Emma can't claim insanity when we have her on tape coordinating murder while completely lucid."

"Do you think Vivienne actually cares if I live or die? Or is this just ...