Chapter 3

I looked up at him, my gaze as cold as the frozen depths of the sea.

The sheer absurdity of the situation washed over me.

"You want me to apologize? Rafael, have you lost your mind?"

The next second, a tearful Nina lunged at me, pretending to grab for my wrist.

Her shoulder, however, slammed right into the gash on my side.

A searing pain tore through my nerves. I gasped, instinctively shoving her away.

I barely used any force, but Nina flew backward into a nearby antique cabinet.

"What the hell are you doing!"

Rage flared in Rafael's eyes. He shoved me violently.

My back slammed hard against the wall, and I slid to the floor.

The bar cart next to me was completely overturned, sending a bottle of bourbon crashing to the ground.

Sharp glass and ice scattered everywhere. A pointed shard dug deep into my calf.

Blood gushed out, instantly staining the cashmere rug.

"I think you're the one who's lost her mind!"

"Nina already humbled herself before you, and I've explained everything. Get off your high horse."

"Apologize to her. Now!"

I clenched my jaw, swallowing the metallic taste of blood rising in my throat. I spoke each word with chilling clarity.

"Never."

"A Valentino daughter does not bow to a dancer who sells her body. Not even in death."

"The nerve."

Rafael was completely enraged. He summoned the two Soldatos standing guard outside the door.

"Take her to the prayer room."

"Let our noble Principessa kneel on the cold stone and clear her head!"

"No one is to help her up without my order!"

I fought through the excruciating pain in my leg, staring in disbelief at the man who had once sworn to protect me with his life.

"Rafael, you dare to lock me up? For a lying tramp?"

"Don't you forget, I am the future Donna of this family!"

"But right now, you're on my territory."

Rafael shot me a cold glance and said nothing more.

The Soldatos grabbed my arms and dragged me toward the dim prayer room.

My blood left a stark red trail on the hallway floor.

The heavy oak door locked behind me. The marble floor before the cross was chillingly cold.

I was forced to kneel, the wounds on my side and calf throbbing with a piercing pain.

Blood and cold sweat soaked through my dress.

The blood loss was making me dizzy, my consciousness slipping away.

Looking at the guards at the door, my voice was so hoarse it was almost a whisper.

"Get a doctor... Get Rafael, I'm begging you..."

A guard's lip curled into a sneer. He stood in the shadows, unmoved.

"Save it, Principessa. We've seen this act before."

"The Boss called his private doctor, but he's with Miss Nina right now."

I struggled to keep my heavy eyelids open, seeing only a sliver of cold light filtering through the high, stained-glass window.

The next second, darkness consumed all my senses, and I collapsed.

Through the haze of unconsciousness, I vaguely heard the guards' panicked shouts.

"Dammit! She passed out from blood loss!"

"There's blood everywhere! Go get the Boss, now!"

Familiar footsteps approached and stopped beside me.

Rafael's voice was cold, devoid of warmth.

"Are you done playing the victim?"

"Anyone would think you were the pregnant one."

"Alessia, your pride will be your downfall. I'm teaching you the rules."

The sound of his leather shoes turned and walked away. Nina was clinging to his arm, peeking into the darkness where I lay.

She looked up at him, her voice like a frightened doe's.

"Rafael, Miss Alessia lost so much blood. Are we being too hard on her?"

"She is a Valentino, after all. If her father finds out..."

The hard line of Rafael's jaw tightened.

"The future Don of the Mancini family doesn't answer to anyone."

"She was arrogant, and she hurt you. The heir isn't due for months. You can't let her walk all over you. That temper of hers needs to be broken."

A flash of triumph flickered in Nina's eyes before she quickly masked it with a look of innocence.

"I've heard that for powerful mafia families like yours, marriage is just a transaction, without any love. Is that true?"

The cold floor stole the last of my body heat, mercilessly freezing my already shattered heart.