The shift was subtle, but it was enough.
His expression hardened. Impatience replaced whatever hesitation had been there, and he dropped his hand, turning as if to leave.
"Adriana," he said coldly, "I've given you everything I promised. You have no reason to act out like this."
But I hadn't done anything at all.
As he took a step toward the door, I looked at his back, at the man I had once believed was my entire world.
"If you think I'm standing in your way," I said quietly, "with her or anyone else… maybe…"
My voice didn't shake.
"…we should dissolve this."
Dante stopped as if he had hit a wall.
Slowly, he turned around, staring at me like he hadn't heard correctly. "What did you just say?"
There was a brief silence.
Then he laughed, a dry, humorless sound that carried no warmth.
"So that's what this is?" he said, his tone turning sharp. "First you cling to me like your life depends on it, and now you're trying emotional blackmail?"
His eyes hardened as he looked at me.
"Adriana, do you really think a manipulative woman like you is someone I could ever love?"
The words landed without impact.