I raise my hand in a futile gesture of retaliation, fueled by boiling anger and the sting of betrayal. But before I can unleash my fury, a vice-like grip clamps around my wrist, forcefully halting my movement.
Ettore.
Ettore defending Ana.
"Do not you dare touch her!"
Ana rushes to Ettore's side, clutching him tightly as if seeking refuge from a storm. "She wanted to hit me, Ettore, just because I was ready on time and she wasn't..." Ana's voice quivers with false emotion, tears glistening in her eyes. "She thinks I am trying to steal her place," she sobs, her words dripping with melodrama.
"You liar," I seethe, advancing towards them, but Ettore swiftly interposes himself, shielding Ana from my wrath.
"Elisabeth, enough!" Ettore's voice reverberates through the room, laced with fru
