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Erica:

I was up early the next day. My eyes stung and my body felt weak.

I got up and walked to the dressing mirror. I was right. My face was a mess; blotchy and ugly in different places.

I had spent the entire night crying about Dante.

Pointless. It was all pointless.

I loved him but I could be with him. My family and my pride and dignity wouldn't allow it. No. Not after everything that he had done.

I gripped the dressing table hard. My eyes stared back at me and I felt a lump form in my throat.

It was settled then. No more seeing Dante. I was going to give myself to Lorenzo. All of myself.

The decision had haunted me in my sleep. I had seen it all unfold in my dreams and now I was asleep no more. I was going to do it. I owed Lorenzo my faithfulness. It was no longer a question.

I grabbed my phone and rang Clarissa. I needed to get the children out of the house for the morning, at least.

I really hoped that she wasn't busy with her mate.

It rang twice and she picked. She sounded grog