"Mamma Mia"

Venice in the sunlight was still carrying on the revelry from the night before. Many people in strange costumes and masks wandered the streets, while vendors along the roadside sold masks. Pomona chose a butterfly mask that covered half her face and put it on.

Venice's waters had once been severely polluted, but after restoration efforts, they had improved considerably, and the riverbed could now be seen. In the crisscrossing canals, many former doorways had been submerged underwater, turning the second floor into the first.

Sixteenth-century Venice was always filled with masked figures wearing cloaks. Some met secret lovers, some hid from the pursuit of enemies, and some even carried out secret assassination missions.

It was a collective sort of magic. Masks symbolized all these games; beneath them, people planned parties, crimes, and pleasures. Once they put on a mask, they could freely release what was inside them instead of wearing a respectable mask without one and worrying about being recognized and held accountable.

What Charlotte said in court reflected her true thoughts. She wanted revenge. Too many negative emotions had piled up inside her, and she needed an outlet. She would rather have no more money than let that likable Antonio live.

She was like someone with road rage, seeing unfairness in everything. Darkness had seeped into her heart. Unless she learned to forgive herself, she would never know when to stop. Instead, she would keep pressing her advantage without mercy.

Yet in a moment of emotional impulse, she had lost all her wealth. She had not worn a mask in court that could conceal her identity. Perhaps she would have to live behind a mask like the other indebted gamblers.

In a sense, she was very much like Vernon.

Sometimes, you witnessed a great deal of suffering yet