Chapter 214

Elio was about ready to lose it. "You're insane. Just shut up already."

A sharp smack echoed through the room as he slapped her, finally snapping.

June staggered back, almost losing her balance. "Elio, are you serious right now? You hit me? I swear, I'm not letting this go!" She lunged at him, wild with anger.

Elio's patience was gone. He pinned her to the floor, his voice tight with frustration. "Quit acting crazy."

June struggled, but she couldn't get free. She twisted around, calling out to Lucie, "Lucie, are you seeing this? He's totally attacking me!"

Lucie felt her chest tighten. She rushed over, grabbing Elio's arm. "Elio, let her go! She's a girl, you can't just hit her like that."

Elio glared, still fuming. “Lucie, she's nuts. Don't treat her like she's some delicate flower." He shot a warning at June. "Get out of here. If you don't, I'll throw you out myself."

June started to cry even louder. "Lucie, help me!"

Lucie yanked at his arm. "Come on, just let her go already!"

With an annoyed sigh, Elio finally released her. June scrambled up and threw herself into Lucie's arms, sobbing. "He actually slapped me, Lucie! Can you believe it?"

Lucie's head was pounding. She had no idea how to handle this. Deep down, she was already regretting ever agreeing to let them come over.

"Stop crying. Just go back to your room and get some sleep, okay? You barely have anything on. You'll catch a cold." Even with the heat on, the place was still drafty.

June clung to her, looking as pathetic as possible. "But... I want to sleep with you."

Lucie tensed. "Sorry, I'm just not used to sharing my bed with anyone."

June pouted. "I don't care, I just want to stay with you tonight."

Lucie felt her patience slipping.

Elio stepped in, grabbing June's arm and pulling her away from Lucie. "June, I swear, if you keep this up, I'm kicking you out right now."

"Let me go!"

Elio was losing his temper again. He raised his hand, glaring down at her. "Don't start with your drama."

June shrank back, her eyes full of tears. "You're such a jerk. I'm telling Mrs. Pitts you're being mean to me."

Elio's expression turned cold. "Go back to your room and sleep, or I'll toss you onto the street. Your call."

"Fine, whatever. I'm going." June finally gave up and stomped off toward her room.

Elio blew out a long breath, then turned to Lucie, awkward and tense. “Lucie, just ignore her, okay?"

Lucie could barely keep her eyes

open. "It's almost morning. You should get some sleep too," she mumbled, yawning and heading for her own room. She liked her life calm and predictable-this kind. late-night chaos just wasn't her thing.

Worried she'd gotten the wrong impression, Elio called after her. "Lucie."

She stopped, looking back at him with a tired, blank expression. "Yeah?"

A mix of regret and worry flickered in his eyes. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

Lucie shrugged. "No. Why would I be?"

Elio hesitated, his voice softening. "I... I did date her for a while, a long

time ago. But we broke ges

back There's nothing going on between us now." fo

Lucie barely paid attention, already halfway checked out. "That's yout business. Just handle it yourselves." She yawned again. "Seriously, it's almost dawn Let's all get some sleep."

Her total indifference hit him harder than any argument ever could.