I stared at her, my hands curling into fists.
"After what I pulled?" My voice came out small, disbelieving.
Her jaw clenched as she tried to start another session of upper-class manners, "Elena, try to understand..."
"No," I snapped, my voice shaking but strong.
Everything felt silent. Even my mother raised her eyebrows, as if she did not expect a sudden reply from me.
Matteo said nothing, nor did he move to support me.
He just watched me quietly, like he knew this was something I needed to do. And I might think he was right. For now.
My mother's expression hardened even more.
She hissed as she spat out, "This tone...This is exactly what I am talking about. You come here after all that disgrace, and you still have no remorse?"
I laughed. It was a bitter and hollow one, "Remorse? For surviving?"
