Page 8 of Sworn to Revenge
“But Elyr, on the other hand, can start her challenge now,” she sneers, and my breath catches.
“Bay. BAY!” A familiar voice cuts through the haze, jolting me awake. My heart pounds as I blink against the dim light, taking a few seconds to register where I am—my bed, on solid ground. Safe.
“What are you doing here?” I ask dryly as Pedro wipes the sweat from my forehead. I shove his hand off, letting the damp towel drop to the floor.
“You were having another nightmare. I heard you crying and came over,” he says, his eyes soften with worry.
“I told you, Pedro, I don’t need a ‘brother,’ and I definitely don’t need your pity. Get out!” My voice cuts through the room like a whip.
He stiffens, the softness in his eyes hardening into something unreadable. For a moment, he doesn’t move, then he silently raises and walks to the door. The soft click as it closes behind him feels louder than it should.
Left alone, I reach up, my fingers brushing against the damp streaks on my cheeks. I’ll never get used to the feeling of tears on my skin.
Reaching for my phone, I try to shake off the suffocating heaviness in my chest. The clock reads 6:00 p.m.—I’ve slept through the entire day. I tap the first name on my short contact list.
Alin picks up on the second ring, her voice bright. “Finally awake, huh?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “Where are you?”
“With Cora, in her kitchen. Maria made pancakes.”
“And you didn’t think to wake me? You know they’re my favorite here!” I scold, hopping out of bed and heading barefoot to the elevator, taking it up to Mariano’s apartment on the third floor.
Alin and Cora meet me at the entrance, laughing at my mock-scowl.
“Alright, alright! Won’t happen again,” Alin laughs, surrendering playfully. I pull Cora into a hug, thrilled to see her after a few days away.
“So, how was your trip home?” Cora asks, but Alin elbows her rib, silencing her.
I roll my eyes at Alin. “I told you, I’m fine.” Then I turn to Cora. “And it looks like things are finally going my way.” I force a smile that isn’t entirely fake.
As we settle on the kitchen counter, Maria brings me a plate stacked with golden pancakes, butter melting into maple syrup drizzled over the top. My stomach growls, the sweet scent intoxicating.
“God, Bay, the way you’re looking at those pancakes—I bet Pedro wishes he could be in their place right now,” Cora teases, and suddenly, I lose my appetite.
“Can we not talk about him?” I ask, his words from earlier replaying painfully in my head. I stab my fork into the top pancake, taking a less enthusiastic bite.
Both of them turn to me, surprised. “Since when don’t you want to talk about Pedro? He’s all you think about,” Cora says, eyes wide with concern.
I sigh and answer quickly to shut them up. “He made it clear I’m just family. He treats me like asister.”
They both stare at me like I’ve got a sea urchin stuck in my hair, then suddenly burst into laughter. I raise an eyebrow at them, bewildered.
“A sister? Bay, are you serious? He looks at you the way you look at thatpancake!” Cora exclaims, only stopping when she sees I’m serious.
“Wait—are you sure you heard him right?” she asks, exchanging a glance with Alin, who just shrugs. I nod.Loud and clear.
“Just ignore him for a few days,” Alin says, as though she’s well-versed in his moods. “He’s probably got issues with Luca and is pushing everyone away.”
I’m about to ask her more when Cora’s phone rings, and she squeals with excitement.
“Rina! It’s been ages! I heard you’re doing great with modeling in Milan!” she gushes into the phone, and I give Alin a curious look, mouthing, “Rina?”
“Her cousin,” Alin mouths back, and I realize I’ve heard Pedro mention that name before.
Cora leaves to chat, leaving me alone with Alin in the kitchen.
“I think I’ve heard Pedro mention her before. Do you know her?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
