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CHAPTER 3

THE PRICE OF DEFIANCE

The silence after her scream was worse than the scream itself.

I pressed my forehead against the cold marble floor as I curled myself into it. Until eventually, my mind became exhausted and my body shut off.

The lock turned what felt like years later.

The housekeeper stood in the doorway, her black dress swallowing the light. She looked at me with a blank look like I was nothing more than a chore.

"Mr. Moretti will see you now."

Two guards appeared behind her, seized my arms, and hauled me upright. My legs buckled immediately as pins and needles shot through my feet, knees, and thighs.

They dragged me down the hallway, my heels scraping against the marble.

Focus and breath, Chiara. Survive this.

Stopping in front of a food made with dark wood panels and painted with faded frescoes, they knocked thrice before dragging me in.

Lucien sat behind his massive desk, the orange light from the fire in the grate casting shadows across his face. He didn't look up when they set me on the floor directly opposite his desk. He just kept signing whatever he was signing.

I barely cared. All I could care about was my throat.

My throat was so dry. I couldn't swallow, and my tongue felt too big for my mouth. I'd never been this thirsty in my life. The hunger was bad, but the thirst was madness. It hollowed out my thoughts and filled them with images of water.

Then Lucien reached to his right and picked up a glass of water. The condensation beaded on the crystal as he set it down on the table between us.

"Thirsty?"

His voice was gentle and almost kind. I couldn't say a word; my eyes were locked on the water like it was the face of God.

He pushed the glass an inch closer, taunting me with it. Unable to hold back, I used my last bit of strength to push myself up, scrambling for the cup. But the guards held me back.

"Tell me where the drives are, and you can drink. Even eat and sleep in a real bed with real sheets."

I stared at the glass; my hands were trembling in my lap.

One sip… I need just one sip.

I could almost feel the cold liquid sliding down my throat. But I didn't know where the drives were. I don't even know what they are.

So I did the only thing I could think of.

I lied.

"My father," I rasped, the sound of my own voice scaring me. "He keeps things in a safe in his study. Behind the painting of my mother. "I forced myself to keep going. "I don't know the combination, but whatever you're looking for... it's probably there."

Silence deafened the room.

"Look at me."

I couldn't raise my head for fear of being found out.

"Raise your head."

Sensing the impatience, I raised my head. His green eyes peered into my face.

"Interesting," he murmured before picking up the glass of water, lifting it to his own lips, and drinking slowly, never breaking eye contact.

No!

I watched the water disappear down his throat, following the movement of his throat.

He set the glass down. "Take her back."

"No." I lurched forward without meaning to, but I was held back. "I told you something, please."

"You told me what you thought I wanted to hear." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I don't like being played, Wife. One more day without food and maybe then you'll understand the cost of wasting my time."

The guards grabbed my arms, dragging me away just the same way I was dragged in.

Two days without food. My body was breaking down, and my mind wasn't far behind.

After the third night of starvation, I knew I just couldn't sit still and wait for my death.

I dragged my body to the sealed window, inspecting it. Thankfully, the seal was old, so when I pressed my weight against the frame and pounded, it groaned.

Move! Move! Damn you.

It gave way.

Cold night air hit my face, giving me hope. The drop was maybe ten feet, but I climbed through without thinking. My bare feet hit frozen earth, and my knees nearly buckled, but I forced them to run.

My legs moved despite my lungs begging to give out. When the tree lines appeared in my sight, I stretched out my hand…

And arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

"No!"

I screamed, throwing my weight and clawing at the arms holding me. More guards melted out of the shadows I'd thought were empty.

They dragged me back toward the terrace, and Lucien Moretti was standing at the top of the stone steps, arms crossed over his chest.

And on his face this time wasn't boredom, but It was interesting.

"Bring her here.”

His head tilted slightly as they hauled me up the steps and shoved me forward onto the cold stone.

I caught myself on my hands and knees, trembling from starvation. I looked up at him through the tangled mess of my hair.

He crouched down until his face was level with mine.

"Most women break by now," he murmured. "They cry, plead, and offer me everything they have." His head tilted the other way. "But you... you keep running."

He reached out, making me flinch. His fingers brushed the hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear with a gentleness that made my skin crawl.

"Either you're very brave," he said softly, "or very stupid."

"Maybe both."

The words came out as a whisper, my eyes dropping with tiredness. And something flickered in his eyes… something that looked like possession.

He stood, nodding to the guards.

"Transfer her to the first floor on the east wing. Seal the windows. If she escapes again, I'll hold every guard on duty personally responsible."

He paused, looking down at me one last time, and his voice dropped so low only I could hear it.

"Run again, wife... and I'll chain you to my bed myself and fuck the defiance out of you."