Alina’s POV

By the time I pulled into the driveway, my hands were still trembling against the steering wheel. I sat there for a long moment, staring at the front door of my house, the warm glow spilling through the curtains, and felt my chest tighten. Home. Safety. Familiarity.

At least, that’s what it was supposed to be.

Instead, it felt like a cage. A beautiful, gilded cage lined with Dante’s love, his protectiveness, his certainty. And here I was, walking back into it after sitting across from Barry—after feeling my heart slam against my ribs in ways I had no right to let it.

I pressed my forehead against...