When She Blooms, They All Wither

Marco hurried over, nervously grabbing my hand. "Anna, don't get the wrong idea. We were just playing a game. I—"

I laughed and cut him off. "It's fine. I don't mind. I trust you."

He stammered, flustered, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Everyone, keep it down! I won't forgive anyone who even scares my lady the slightest."

Sofia appeared, gliding toward us in a tight slip dress, her sway all confidence. "Long time no see, Anna. I heard you two are getting married. Congrats. You're so lucky to find a man who loves you… unlike me."

Before I could respond, Marco blurted out, "Who says no one loves you?"

She covered her mouth, giving an ambiguous smirk. The party fell into an awkward silence until someone tactfully changed the subject, and the noise picked back up.

Marco kept glancing at me nervously, like he wanted to explain, but I didn't care anymore. I ignored his hesitations and walked to a corner to sit.

He followed, poured me a drink, but his eyes couldn't stop darting toward Sofia, laughing and drinking a few feet away.

The drink sloshed over the rim of my glass. I was about to warn him when he suddenly shot to his feet, yanking Sofia, who had just lost a game and was about to take off a piece of clothing, away.

"Are you insane? Do you even know what you're doing?"

She shrugged him off, half-drunk, half-aware, and smiled slyly. "What's it to you? Who do you think you are to me? Don't you know I'm single? Never mind taking off some clothes—if I wanted, I could sleep with anyone I want!"

The commotion slammed the room into silence. Enzo, still drunk, elbowed Sofia lightly, and she nearly toppled over. Without a second thought, Marco caught her in his arms.

She started struggling, crying violently. "Let go of me! Neither you nor Luca wants me anymore! None of you wants me, so just leave me alone! I don't need your pity!"

Marco's face twisted with raw pain, his eyes red as he yelled, "I do, okay? I want you! You're the only one I want!"

Sofia froze for a moment, then shook her head, crying harder. "You're lying! You're about to get married, so there's no way you want me! I'm going to find someone right now—whoever wants me, I'll sleep with them!"

She staggered toward the door, tears streaming.

Marco was livid. He couldn't take it anymore. Without a word, he strode forward, scooped Sofia up in his arms, and marched out of the private room.

Most of the people here were his friends and family. They all seemed so used to scenes like this. A few murmurs, a shake of the head, and they went back to their fun.

No one remembered my existence in the corner, except for the young man who had driven me here. "I'm sorry, Signora. A-Are you okay?"

I must've looked so pathetic to make him on the verge of tears. I tried to force a smile, but couldn't even manage a fake one. In the end, I turned and left alone.

No sooner had I stepped out of the room than someone suddenly clamped over my mouth and nose and yanked me backward. Fear shot through me, and I struggled wildly.

However, their grip was astonishingly strong, and the stench of sweat and alcohol from him made my hair stand on end.

"Sofia wasn't lying. You're young and beautiful. I bet you'd be a fun one to play with," a man said.

I was forcefully thrown into an empty private room. By then, I could feel my limbs going weak.

The second the man lunged onto me, I bit my tongue to keep myself awake while flinging a few beer bottles from the table in his direction.

"Puttana! You really thought you were some hotshot? You're nothing but a used whore!"

He was ready to throw himself on me again when a smashing sound came from the door. Flustered, he covered his bleeding forehead, cursed at me, and made a run for it.

I forced back my tears and tried to steady my trembling arms. Without wasting a second, I bolted out of the private room. As soon as I turned a corner, I saw Sofia standing there.

A malicious smile tugged at her lips when she saw my torn skirt. "You're done so soon? I bet you're not satisfied yet. Should I find you a couple more eager men?"

I knew Sofia was wicked to the core. She had never bothered to conceal her cruelty. From Luca to Marco, she had used every underhanded trick in the book to get what she wanted. Honestly, I was impressed.

Still, recalling the man's words earlier, I knew I couldn't hold back anymore. I slapped her, but not only did she not dodge me, she even wore that same, wicked smile.

By the time I realized something was off, she was already rolling down the stairs.