Page 139 of The Cute Psycho

"He's not very cooperative," I tell Vlad on the phone after I've said good night to Marcello. "I don't know what could have made him behave like this..."

"Don't worry that pretty head of yours, Hell Girl. It's between him and his wife, and they should solve it at some point."

"You're right but," I lower my voice to a whisper, "I think I heard him cry, Vlad. I don't think he's doing fine at all. I'm worried." I bite my lip, my forehead creasing.

"Sisi,"Vlad groans,"it's complicated."

"So you know what happened," I fire at him.

"Of course I do,"he replies, almost offended,"I wouldn't be me if I didn't,"he jokes, and I can already see his satisfied smile behind the phone.

"Well, spill. What happened?"

"I may know the circumstances, but it's not my story to share, Sisi. Your brother fucked up, but I can't say he was wholly guilty,"he says cryptically, avoiding answering any of my questions on the subject.

"Fine, I'll figure it out," I mutter, hanging up.

I don't understand all the secrecy. Marcello is surly, Vlad knows what happened but won't tell me, and Lina won't even answer mycalls. I'm one minute away from going to her brother's house and demanding a meeting.

"Sisi?" Venezia knocks on my door.

"Yes, come in." I give her a welcoming smile. If I'm in the dark, I can't imagine how Venezia feels.

She walks inside slowly, almost uncertain of herself.

"Sit." I pat the bed next to me.

"Do you think Lina and Claudia are ever coming back?" she asks in a small voice, her tone telling me that she doesn't think they will.

"They will," I try to reassure her, "they have to." I take her hand, squeezing it gently.

She gives me a tremulous smile, leaning forward to place her head on my shoulder. I tug her into my arms, giving her a hug.

"They will," I repeat, though even I'm not sure of that either.

But I can see my younger self in Venezia, and how the only thing I'd ever hoped for had been acceptance — somewhere to belong. For the first time she'd had a semblance of a family, and it had quickly disintegrated.

"I'm glad you're here with us," she whispers, her eyes damp with unshed tears. "I like having a sister."

"Me too," I reply, kissing the top of her head. "Me too."

The situation doesn't improve. With each passing day, Marcello becomes even more withdrawn, spending all his time locked away in his study. The few times I'd tried to reach out he'd made it clear that I'm not welcome and that I should mind my own business.

When a week's gone by and all my attempts at drawing him out of his shell are in vain, I resort to calling Vlad—the self-confessed thorn in his backside.

"You're hurting me, Hell Girl,"Vlad complains on the phone when I tell him my idea.

"You know it's true. So go do your best and annoy Marcello into joining the world of the living again."

"Fineeee."He relents, even though I can tell that inside he's giddy at the prospect of messing a little with my brother. They certainly have a weird dynamic going on.

A while later, I can tell that Vlad's worked his magic, but not in a good way.

"Stay away from him, Sisi. I mean it. I made it clear to him that he's not to interact with either you or Venezia, but he can't seem to help himself." Marcello pulls me aside after his meeting with Vlad, looking pissed off.

"Marcello, I don't understand why you're so against him. You're friends, aren't you?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Friends..." He gives a dry laugh. "Vlad doesn't have friends. He only has people he uses. So don't try to feel sorry for him."

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