Prologue

AURELIA'S POV

I watched closely, my throat tightening as Maria; the maid, placed the meal in front of my father—the same meal I’d laced with a potion earlier.

Sitting across him, I tried to keep my expression blank, but Maria’s fleeting gaze focused on me. I quickly averted my gaze, my heart hammering in my chest.

She’d caught me slipping the contents into Father’s food, yet her face had remained impassive. She didn’t say a word, didn’t cast a judging look, and just acted like nothing happened. After all, that was the maid’s unspoken creed; You see everything and say nothing— if you want to stay alive.

After she left, it was just me and father. He looked at me and my untouched meal. His forehead wrinkled in displeasure.

“Why aren't you eating, Aurelia?” his voice, cold and devoid of emotion sliced through the air. The fork in my hand clattered against the plate, while his gaze bore into my skin, unsettling me.

“I’m not hungry,” I muttered, keeping my eyes downcast.

“Nonsense! Starving yourself isn't going to bring Lucas back,” he snapped, his words like a blade twisting in my gut. My chest tightened at the mention of my brother, grief, and fury swirling through me.

I swallowed hard, blinking back the tears burning behind my eyes. I had to resist the urge to meet his gaze with the hatred I felt deep inside.

How could he talk so casually, like he didn’t just lose his son two weeks ago?

“That is the life of the mafia. Death surrounds us, and all we can do is welcome it.”

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted my blood. My fists clenched as I tried to keep my tears at bay.

I wanted to scream at him, to drive my fork into his skull—just like he’d shot bullets into countless skulls without a second thought.

“It’s all your fault,” I spat, my voice trembling with rage. The words tore from my throat, the rage and pain uncontainable. I felt like if I didn’t speak, I'd choke on my fury.

“Lucas is gone because of you.”

His eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The next thing happened in a flash.

For a man as old and bloated as he was, he moved with an alarming speed. In an instant, he was at my side, grabbing a fistful of my hair as he yanked my head.

“You deserve to be punished for not controlling your stupid mouth!” he shrieked, food particles flying out of his mouth and landing on my cheek.

 I was disgusted. Whenever he touched me, his fingers felt like slithering worms against my skin, and each time, I felt like ripping out where he touched. Feeling his fist tightening my hair, I took in a sharp breath and braced myself for what was about to come.

He yanked my hair so hard that I fell to the ground. I let out a faint cry as my back collided with the hard tiles. My fingers held his hands desperately, trying to free myself from his iron grip but it was no use.

He slapped me on the right cheek, and I felt his ring leave a cut. My head spun, pain shooting through every fiber of my body, but it dulled out when I thought to myself that this was all going to be over soon.

“Foolish girl. You’re not good for anything,” he spat out. "Except for your body. Just a whore like your mother," he added with a cold chuckle that made the atmosphere thicken.

When he returned to his chair, I shakily crawled into mine.

“Eat. You won’t be pretty if you’re malnourished.”

I looked at him. When he took his first bite, I felt exhilarated.

He had no clue.

My appetite came and I ate while watching as he emptied his plate. When he yawned, I knew the toxin was working.

After he left upstairs to his room, I hurried to my room. I pulled out the small luggage from underneath my bed. I only took what was necessary.

At the top of my luggage was a photo of Mum and Lucas. I had torn Father out of it. Tears rolled down my cheek, stinging where his ring had cut me. I never knew it could come to this. 

Countless years, I'd dealt with my father's abuse, having only Lucas to protect me. Most times, I wish I was an orphan. I would rather prefer my father rotting in a dark grave than having him breathing down my neck. I'd never hated a human this much before. 

Lucas was all I had left in this world, and now that he was gone, I had no one to protect me anymore or give me a sense of what family is supposed to feel like.

Now I had the choice of running away or rotting here for the rest of my life.

A sudden knock at my door made my heart leap. Quickly, I slid the bag back under the bed and rushed to open the door. When Rosella; my stepmother stood there, I exhaled and let her in.

“He’s in a deep sleep. This is your chance,” she whispered, her voice soft but urgent.

I pulled out my bag and slung it over my shoulder. We followed the plan. While I slipped out through the back, she walked through the front, keeping the cameras from catching us together.

Who knew what he would do if he found out Rosella helped me run away?

Once I made it past the gate, she joined me.

We hugged as she soothed my hair. I didn’t realize I was crying until she gently wiped my tears with her thumb.

“Thank you, Rosella,” my voice trembled, “This is risky. You didn't have to do this for me.”

She shook her head, cupping my cheek. “You’re my daughter. I would never want him to hurt you.”

She pressed an envelope into my hand. “This is enough to start a new life.”

“I don't know if I’ll ever see you again, Rosella,” my voice broke.

She smiled, though her eyes were sad. “We’ll hope. But promise me—You’ll never come back. As you run, don't look back.”

I nodded, the weight of her words sinking in.

She leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Be safe, my child.”

I turned my back towards her, and then I ran into the night.

The cool wind whipped against my skin, and for the first time in forever, I felt weightless.

Like a bird set free, I was ready to soar.

I never looked back, just like I promised. Not until I reached my destination.

And at last, I was truly free.