#Chapter 149: Dominic Ascends

Aurora POV The hotel room smells faintly of oud and sandalwood, the most trendy and expensive perfume of the moment. This is the kind of place that knows it’s expensive and doesn’t let you forget it. I sit cross-legged on the edge of the bed in jeans and a sweatshirt, my dress hung carefully so it won’t wrinkle before tonight. Gianna sprawls beside me, her back against the headboard, scrolling through her phone without seeing anything on the screen. We’re trying to keep it light. Trying is the important word. “This place is too tense,” I say, breaking the silence. “I feel like the walls are waiting to overhear something.” Gianna snorts softly. “Everyone and everything in this building is waiting to overhear something. And I’m sure even the walls have opinions.” She returns to her phone. I know her well enough not to feel slighted. Today Gianna is muted, like someone turned the volume down without asking her. I know why. We both do. Stef