Page 58 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

The baby is crying again, and the sound is pulling me like a source of light - burning in the darkness.

I hover between conscious and unconscious. Awake but not.

I’m here in a room but I can’t move. I feel the soft bed beneath my body. I hear voices.

Lina.

Lina, I’m right here.

She’s shouting at someone.

Her brother.

I know his voice too.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, Nico. How could you? And when you told me to come see you in New York - I didn’t expectthis.I wouldneverhave come here.”

“Lina, please, don’t do this now. Bella is resting.”

“When the fuck am I supposed to do this? Youjusttold me about the kid and what you two have been doing.She was my best friend, and you both betrayed me, Nico.”Lina screams. There is so much pain in her voice. Why is she so angry? Who is she talking about?

Is she talking about me?

I didn’t betray you, Lina. I would never do that.

What is going on?

I want to move. I try again and again but it’s not working.

“We didn’t betray you, Lina. I didn’t even know about the baby until recently. Bella was just trying to keep him safe.”

“It doesn’t matter if you knew - it happened - that night you helped her. The first night. I asked you for afavorand you stabbed me in the back. I can’t believe you did this to me.” She is crying, but the anger shines though the most.

“Lina please.”

“I hate Bella and I hate you. I will never speak to her again.” Lina screams.

Tears fall from my eyes as I blink them open. My heart shatters. My best friend hates me. I don’t even know what I’ve done. I can’t remember what has happened. I don’t know where I am. My chest aches with heartbreak and I want to call her name. I want to tell her she’s wrong.

But I’m too scared to say anything. What can I say to defend myself when I don’t understand what’s happening?

“Lina, you don’t mean that.” Her brother says, trying to calm her down.

“Ihateher. And Ihateyou. Stay away from me.” She says again, pronouncing each word, so that there is no mistaking it.

“Bella never meant to hurt you, Lina. She was trying to keep Dante safe. Ilove her. Can’t you see that. Can’t you be happy for us?”

He loves me? What? What does that mean?

“Bullshit. You two played me. You both lied. Just fucking leave me alone.” She hisses.

“Lina!” He calls out.

I hear her storm out of the room and a door slams.

I stare up at the ceiling as tears roll down the sides of my face.

I recognize nothing around me.

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