Bloody Homecoming

CASSIA

Today marks the third day since Dante left. He hasn’t come home. He hasn’t called. He hasn’t texted.

And every time I ask—every single time—the answer is the same. Vague looks. Half sentences. Silence dressed up as patience.

At first, I told myself not to overthink it. That this was just how his world worked. That he hadn’t meant to disappear.

By the second day, the ache had settled in. Hea