Page 98 of Downfall

I wipe my face, feeling how wet my cheeks are. I didn’t even realise I’d been crying.

“Why are you here?” I say. Like I’m not in her car. Like any of this normal.

“I have a meeting with Darius. He wants to discuss my engagement to Otto.” She pulls a face like she’s been poisoned.

“You’re getting engaged?” Christ could this day get any worse?

“No I bloody well am not.” She snaps. “But Darius is trying to force my hand.”

“Oh.” I look away. I guess he’s more of a bastard than I realised. God, how was I so stupid not to see it?

“What happened? Why were you so upset?”

I grit my teeth. “Darius. He…” I whisper before biting my lip. I don’t trust her. Not entirely. Besides saying it out loud, admitting that I was stupid enough to get myself into that situation. My cheeks heat with shame. I’m an idiot. A stupid, stupid idiot.

She tilts her head, giving me a look that says all I need to know.

“Roman will kill him for that.”

“Can’t you just stop?” I hiss. “Can’t all of you just stop?”

“Stop what?”

“These games. All you do is make everything worse.”

“Your family started it. And Darius more than deserves what’s coming to him.”

I let out a shudder. “I can’t do this. I can’t live like this.”

“Rose…”

“No.” I snap forcing myself to get up, to get out of her car. “I don’t want this to be my life. I don’t want all this hate, and anger.”

“Then help us. Help us create a new Verona. A better Verona.”

“Like hell that’s what you’re trying to do.” I snarl. “You’re just as bad as my family. All you care about it the old rivalry. Bringing us down.”

“That’s not true.” She says calmly. “Even you know that.”

“Why else would you need me?” I spit. “You want me to pass on secrets is that it? You want me to give you juicy little titbits about my family so you can bring them down?”

“No.” Sofia replies. “We don’t want that. We don’t need that.”

I shake my head. “Don’t lie…”

“I’m not lying Rose.” She cries. “I’m trying to help you. How can you not see that?”

“Because I’m a Capulet and you’re a Montague.”

“But you’re not just that are you?” She says quietly.

I frown staring at her like she’s lost her mind. Of course I am. That’s all anyone ever sees when they look at me. Capulet blood. The pretty Capulet princess.

“You’re the woman my brother is in love with.”

My heart stops at her words. My breath catches. And for a second it’s like I can’t process it, like this is all some sick twisted joke. My stomach twists, that old pain churning worse than ever.

“I can’t do this.” I whisper, forcing myself to move. I can’t be here, where anyone can see us, see me.

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