Novels by thalia_renata06

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀The car had barely stopped in front of the house when my father spoke.“Helena, come with me to my office.”It was obviously not an invitation.It was a dry, direct order.I found it strange.My first instinct was to look at my mother. She was already getting out of the car in silence, adjusting her posture. She didn’t look at me. Likewise, she never did when she knew something was about to happen. I watched her for a second longer than I should have, waiting for anything—a gesture, a warning, or a silent plea for me to be careful.Nothing.She did nothing. As always.I don’t know why I still expect any reaction from her.The car door closed behind me, cutting off the little air I still had. The sound echoed too loudly in the quiet night.The house was even quieter than usual. The staff had already withdrawn. There were no footsteps, no voices, not even the distant sounds from the kitchen. Only the noise of our movements and the minimal, strategic lighting—as if ev

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀The invitation arrived two days ago.Thick paper, elegant lettering, and an embossed seal. A traditional mafia charity event—one of those where no one goes to help but to see and be seen.No one asked if I wanted to go.No one asked if I was okay.They simply informed me that my presence was mandatory.“Many important names will be there,” my mother said as she adjusted a necklace around my neck.We never truly had a close relationship. But after my marriage was announced, she started trying. A belated closeness.Remorse, perhaps.I don’t know.And to me, it no longer made any difference.I took a deep breath, staring at my reflection in the mirror.The dress, of course, hadn’t been chosen by me. Black. Again. Too tight to be comfortable, outlining curves I would rather hide. Every detail seemed calculated to expose without appearing vulgar.When I finished getting ready, I looked at myself one last time and recognized the same feeling I’d had for days:I looked re

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀I was bored.Normally, I don’t wander around the house. I prefer the comfort and silence of the bedroom where I sleep. I won’t call it mine anymore, because nothing here belongs to me.But that day, I didn’t want to stay locked away. I was restless. I couldn’t stand thinking about—obsessing over—the absurd idea of that marriage any longer.So I decided to walk through the house, to pass the time.I crossed the hallway of the forbidden doors. I was never allowed to enter any of them—that’s why I named it that. As I passed in front of my father’s office, I heard his voice through the door. Firm. Satisfied.“One week is enough. The dress will be custom-made. Nothing excessive. The Dom doesn’t like female ostentation.”Without thinking, I walked into the office without knocking.I shouldn’t have done that.But I did.My father slowly looked up, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. The phone was still in his hand."A week for what?" I asked, even though I already knew

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀I woke up with my body heavy, as if I hadn’t slept at all the night before. The side of my face where my father had struck me still burned faintly—a persistent reminder of what had happened.I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. I took a deep breath, trying to pinpoint the exact moment my life had stopped being mine for good.A knock sounded at the door.“Miss Helena,” the housekeeper’s voice came low and restrained. “Breakfast is served.”I sighed.“I’ll be there.”She didn’t come in, and I silently thanked her for that. I needed a few more seconds alone, in the silence of my room.I got up slowly and went to the bathroom for my morning routine. When I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes stung. There was a faint mark on my face—nothing obvious. My father had always known how to hit where it wouldn’t leave evidence.I ran my fingers over the reddish spot, remembering exactly why it was there.When I felt tears threatening, I shook my hea

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀Dinner was not over yet, and the minutes seemed to drag on. The men talked incessantly—so many topics, business after business. Meanwhile, my mother remained the same: quiet, with calculated movements.And I ate slowly, to avoid giving them any opportunity to ask me questions or make comments.I picked up my glass of juice, took a small sip, and put it back on the table.When I looked up, I noticed that Dom Vittorio was watching me.In the wrong way.Again.He was practically undressing me with his eyes. His gaze lingered for a long time on the horrible neckline of the dress he had chosen."Helena," I heard my name come out of his mouth. I had to control myself not to roll my eyes. "You don't talk much," he commented, swirling the wine in his glass. "I like that. Women who talk too much usually cause problems."My father smiled slightly.I don't think I had ever seen him so pleased. He laughed at everything Dom Vittorio said.I, on the other hand, kept a neutral ex

𝐏𝐎𝐕 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀I finished my shower, dried myself, and tied the robe around my body. I sat on the bed, trying to pretend that night didn’t exist. That it wasn’t about to happen.I wanted to disappear.The soft knock on the door made me hold my breath.“Come in,” I said, even though I knew my permission meant absolutely nothing in that house.The housekeeper entered carrying a large black box wrapped with a ribbon of the same color. She walked with her head lowered, avoiding my eyes. She placed the box on the bed with excessive care, as if it held something fragile.“It just arrived,” she said, adjusting her apron. “A gift.”My stomach twisted.“A gift from whom?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.She hesitated for a second.“From your future husband.”The word husband hit me like a blunt punch to the stomach.Without waiting for permission, she opened the box.Inside was a dress and a pair of high-heeled sandals.Black.Not an elegant black. Not discreet. It was hea