Chapter 4

JULIA

The first thing I felt when consciousness dragged me back was pain. A deep, throbbing ache between my thighs that made me wince before I even opened my eyes.

 My body was heavy, sore, every inch of me weighed down by exhaustion.

I stirred, the sheets soft beneath my fingers, and confusion clouded me. 

Where was I? This wasn’t my room at home. The air smelled faintly of leather and smoke, not the lavender that Livia insisted on having in every corner of the mansion.

My lashes fluttered open. Pale morning light seeped through the hotel curtains, and then memory crashed into me.

The ballroom. Terra and Nero. The whiskey. Marcus.

Heat shot through me so violently I curled tighter under the blanket, clutching it to my chest.

And that was when the bathroom door opened.

Steam rolled out in a slow wave, carrying with it the sharp scent of soap. Marcus stepped into the room with only a towel slung low around his hips, his hair damp, droplets sliding down the broad planes of his chest.

My heart slammed painfully against my ribs. I yanked the blanket up over my head, burying myself in it like a child.

A low chuckle filled the room. “Oh, now you’re shy?” his footsteps were steady, unhurried, until they stopped right beside the bed. “You weren’t shy last night.”

I whimpered, sinking further under the blanket, wishing I could vanish into the mattress.

The fabric tugged suddenly, and I squeaked as Marcus peeled it down just far enough to reveal my flushed face.

His mouth curled into a smirk, dark eyes glittering. “Look at you. Red all over. Like a little tomato.”

My face burned hotter, and I turned away, only for him to catch my chin and force me to meet his gaze. His laughter came rough, amused, the sound sending another wave of humiliation through me.

“You’re braver than you look,” he drawled, his thumb brushing over my jaw. “Brave enough to throw yourself at me, to beg me not to stop, to break for me…” his eyes flicked down to where the blanket clutched at my chest. “…but one glimpse of me in the morning, and you curl up like a scaredy cat.”

My lips trembled, but no words came. Shame burned through me too hot, too fierce.

Marcus leaned closer, his voice dropping into that low, merciless tone. “Relax. I’m not going to eat you. Already did that last night.”

I gasped, my hands flying up to hide my face, which only seemed to amuse him more. His chuckle rumbled deep, satisfied.

“Tomato,” he muttered again, shaking his head as he straightened.

The morning passed in a blur. Marcus dressed casually, not in the sharp suit from last night, but even in a plain shirt, his presence filled the room. When he picked up his phone, his tone shifted into something colder, commanding, as he ordered a car.

“You’re not walking home,” he said simply, hanging up before I could answer. “Driver will take you.”

“T-Thank you.”

Minutes later, I found myself sliding nervously into the backseat of a sleek black car, Marcus’s instructions to the driver still ringing in my ears. He hadn’t asked if I wanted to go home—he had simply decided.

And now I wished he hadn’t.

Because waiting at the mansion gates was Terra.

She stood there with perfect posture, silk robe tied neatly around her, her hair cascading in flawless waves. Her smile was too sweet, too polished, and it only widened when her eyes landed on me stepping out of the car.

“Well, well,” she drawled, her voice soft but sharp enough to slice. “Look who finally decided to come home.”

I froze, clutching the strap of my dress, my eyes darting anywhere but hers.

“Where were you, Julia?” Terra asked, tilting her head in mock curiosity. “Crying your little heart out because Nero chose me instead? Poor thing. Must’ve been so humiliating.”

Her words stung like poison-tipped arrows. My throat tightened, but I said nothing, my silence only feeding her smugness.

Terra stepped closer, lowering her voice into a whisper sharp enough to cut. “You thought he’d choose you? Really? When Father never even looks at you?”

Before I could gather the courage to step past her, two maids appeared carrying boxes tied with ivory ribbons. They greeted Terra with bright smiles, their eyes shining with admiration. “These are the latest deliveries, Miss Terra,” one of them said, bowing slightly.

Terra gave them a gracious nod, then her gaze slid back to me. “Don’t just stand there, Julia. Be useful for once. Carry that one inside.” she gestured lazily at the largest box, the one that nearly toppled from the maid’s hands.

The maid looked uncertain, but Terra’s word was law in this house. I bent down, struggling to lift the box. It was heavier than it looked, and the sharp edge dug into my arms as I tried to balance it. My knees wobbled. Terra’s tinkling laughter followed me.

“Careful,” she said sweetly, “wouldn’t want you tripping again. Remember last time?” she covered her mouth as though stifling a giggle, but the maids laughed with her, eager to please. 

My cheeks burned. Yes, I remembered. I had fallen in front of everyone at one of Father’s dinners. Terra had whispered afterward, Pathetic, and the word had branded itself in my skull.

And then Father appeared.

Don Augustus strolled past us, his polished shoes crunching lightly against the stone path, his tailored suit flawless even in the morning sun. 

His gaze flicked briefly in my direction, lingering on the sight of me clutching the box like some servant. For a breath, I thought he might say something. Anything.

But then his eyes shifted to Terra.

“Terra,” he said warmly, a smile touching his lips, “come with me. We’ll pick out your wedding dress today.”

Jealousy burned hot and acidic in my stomach.

Terra’s delighted laugh rang out as she looped her arm through his, casting me one last victorious smirk before turning away. “Don’t drop that, Julia,” she murmured with mock concern. “It’s far too expensive for your clumsy hands.”

Father never looked back at me. 

The box grew heavier in my arms. I stood frozen in the courtyard, my body aching from the night before, my heart aching worse.