Chapter 48

• Aria sat on the bathroom floor, her body wracked with sobs as she let out all the pain and anger she had been holding in. "Why?" she whispered to herself, her voice breaking. "Why did he sell me? Why didn't Zander protect me?"
• "No man is worth trusting," she spat out, her voice filled with venom and disappointment. She wiped her tears away angrily, her mind made up. She would never let her guard down again. From now on, she would only rely on herself. No more hoping for rescue, no more expecting kindness.
• Aria unwrapped the silk sheet, dropping it to the floor like it was contaminated. She stepped into the shower, turning the knob to scalding hot. She scrubbed her body roughly, washing away his touch, his kisses, and his brutal thrusts. She wanted to remove every trace of Dante from her skin.