~ELENA~

From his actions, it's clear he's hiding something or avoiding something.

But what exactly is it???

What exactly is Vincenzo hiding??

My chest tightens, but I start to turn towards the door.

But then…

“Baby doll,” he says.

Soft.

Too soft.

But I hear it.

Clear as thunder.

I stop walking.

The nickname wraps around my spine like a jolt. My breath catches.

No one else has ever called me that. Not once in my life.

Only him. Only that guy.

Slowly, I turn back around to face him.

He looks like he wants to swallow the word back. Like he didn't mean to say it. Like it slipped....