Colino had taken her on the Family's private jet to chase the northern lights in some frozen corner of the world far from prying eyes.
In the ethereal green haze of the aurora, their silhouettes stood close together, intimate as conspirators. Matching rings glinted on their fingers—fingers tightly intertwined like the roots of a poisonous vine.
The caption pierced through me like a stiletto blade:
[He told me I'm the only one for him. He promised to protect me from all the cruelty in this world. How could I ever let go of a man like that?]
Below it, a cutesy account bearing cartoon couple avatars had commented:
[And no matter how far you try to run from me, I'll find you. I'll tie you to my side forever. So don't even try, silly girl.]
I didn't need to verify the source. I knew that tone—that possessive flair, that dark promise wrapped in honeyed words. That was Colino.
I could tell from the typing style alone.
I remembered the day I asked him to use matching couple avatars with me. He had rolled his eyes, his handsome face twisting with contempt.
"What are you, twelve? Can't you see I'm handling Family affairs? Now leave!"