Bella's POV
Despite telling him I wouldn't show up, I found myself climbing out of a taxi in front of the restaurant anyway. His words from the night before had carved themselves into my brain, replaying on an endless loop that kept sleep at bay. I'd spent hours staring at the ceiling, furious at myself for letting Silas VALERIUS'Empire crawl under my skin like some kind of parasite.
The building loomed before me, all gleaming glass and pretentious lighting. Everything about this place screamed money, the kind of establishment where people came to flaunt their wealth or make deals that would ruin lives. I checked my watch nervously.
Nearly seven o'clock.
Just a few minutes left. My stomach churned with anxiety. I whispered a desperate plea to whatever forces might be listening, begging for him to get caught up in some business emergency, to simply vanish from my life. But deep down, I already knew my hope was pointless.
