Chapter 4

Morning came, but nothing about it felt better. Alessia had barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she found herself back in that narrow corridor, pinned between the stone wall and Cassian’s towering body. She could still remember how calmly he had stood there while she trembled, he hadn’t needed to touch her, and that was what frightened her most.

By breakfast, the entire household already had her working. Elena had sent her to the east gallery with a rag, a feather duster, and a list of things that needed cleaning.

Alessia had been dusting the enormous gold frames lining the walls for nearly an hour when she reached the portrait nearest the entrance to the west wing. She stopped. The west wing. Cassian’s part of the house. She knew because everyone knew.

Servants weren’t supposed to enter without permission. Even the guards rarely went beyond the heavy doors separating it from the rest of the estate. Alessia quickly looked away. She stretched onto her toes and ran the cloth over the upper edge of the frame.

Her hands were still trembling, and she hated that they were. She hated that Cassian had managed to get inside her head after only two encounters. A faint sound came from behind her and Alessia lowered the cloth.

“Alessia.”

Her stomach dropped. She turned around Elena was walking toward her. There was something unpleasant in her expression.

Alessia immediately lowered her eyes. “Madre.”

“What are you doing here?” Elena asked, eyeing her in suspicion.

“Cleaning,” she said.

“Don’t lie to me,” Elena sneered.

Alessia looked at the frame. “I was told to dust the portraits.”

Elena glanced at it, then at the doors behind Alessia, her expression darkened instantly. “You’ve been standing here for how long?”

“I don’t know,” Alessia whispered.

Elena’s eyes narrowed. “Near his wing?”

Alessia understood immediately. “No.”

The answer came too quickly, making Elena’s face harden in rage. Before Alessia could explain, Elena slapped her hard, the crack echoed through the gallery. Alessia staggered sideways. Her shoulder struck the marble wall, and for a second she couldn’t hear anything except the ringing in her ear.

Her cheek burned in raw pain. “Madre...”

Elena grabbed her hair before she could even finish, Alessia cried out as her head was yanked backward.

“Do you think I’m blind?” Elena hissed.

“No,” she whimpered.

“Then don’t stand there and make a fool of me!” Elena yelled.

“I wasn’t doing anything…” Alessia tried to explain.

Elena pulled harder. “You’re trying to get his attention.”

Alessia’s eyes widened in shock. “What? No!”

Another slap sent her head sideways, her eyes spinner from the impact. Pain spread across her cheek as Elena’s diamond ring had cut her skin. Alessia lifted a hand instinctively and felt something wet beneath her fingers. Blood.

“You’re always looking for a way to make trouble,” Elena said.

“I wasn’t looking for Cassian!” Alessia cried out.

That made Elena even angrier. She shoved Alessia away, she stumbled and nearly fell.

“Don’t say his name as if you’re familiar with him,” Elena hissed.

“I’m not,” Alessia said.

“Then stay away from him,” Elena warned.

Alessia nodded quickly. “Yes.. I’ll stay away.”

Elena stepped closer. “You know what happens to girls who become ambitious in this family?”

Alessia didn’t answer. She couldn’t. The pain spreading through her body made it difficult to respond.

“They get used,” the words were quiet now. Almost conversational. That frightened Alessia more than the shouting.

Elena looked her over with open disgust. “Look at you. You can’t even stand properly without looking frightened. And you think Cassian would want you?”

Alessia lowered her head. “I never said that.”

“You don’t have to,” Elena grabbed her chin and forced her face upward. “Your sister understands how this family works. Bianca knows how to behave around powerful men. She knows what she wants.”

Alessia’s throat tightened. “Bianca isn’t like me.”

“No. She isn’t,” Elena released her. “That’s why she has a future.”

Elena’s eyes hardened. “And you have nothing.”

The words landed harder than the slap, Alessia looked down and Elena shoved her. She fell onto her hands and knees, pain shot through her palms.

“Get up,” Elena snapped.

Alessia struggled upright but Elena’s shoe struck her side. Air left Alessia’s lungs in a broken gasp. She folded over herself, one arm immediately wrapping around her ribs.

Elena looked down at her in disgust. “Do you understand me now?”

Alessia couldn’t answer as Elena nudged her with the toe of her shoe. “I asked you a question.”

“Yes,” Alessia whispered.

“Say it properly,” Elena snapped.

Alessia swallowed against the pain. “I understand.”

“You stay away from the west wing,” Elena said.

“Yes,” Alessia whispered.

“You don’t wander around when Cassian is nearby.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t look for him.”

Alessia’s eyes stung with hot tears. “I won’t.”

Elena stared at her for another moment, then she bent slightly. “If I find out you’re trying to attract his attention, I’ll have you put in the cellar.”

Alessia went still. Elena knew exactly what frightened her.

“The cold won’t kill you quickly,” she said. “You’ll have plenty of time to regret whatever foolish idea put you there.”

Alessia’s lips trembled. “Please, Madre.”

Elena straightened and smoothened her gown. “Clean the floor.”

She walked away and Alessia remained where she was. Her cheek throbbed. Her ribs hurt every time she breathed, she stared at the polished marble beneath her. A small drop of blood had landed beside her hand. Then another. She wiped it away with the corner of her sleeve as she heard Elena’s heels disappear down the corridor.

Only then did Alessia allow herself to breathe properly. She pushed herself upright, her knees were shaking as reached for the cloth. Her fingers wouldn’t stop trembling, so she clenched them into fists until they hurt. She had learnt something a long time ago. Crying never made Elena kinder, it only gave her another reason to keep going.

So Alessia swallowed the tears and started cleaning. She didn’t notice the figure above her.