Chapter 3

Elena was gone. I had to get myself out.

I found a letter opener in my desk drawer. The bedroom door had a new lock, but the French doors to the balcony were old.

After sundown, I pried the latch open and slipped onto the balcony.

Sliding down the drainpipe, my left foot twisted when I landed. A sharp pain shot up my ankle. I bit my lip to keep quiet, limping along the estate's stone wall to the back gate.

Two guards stood at the iron gate.

"Open it," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Donna Isabella sent me on an errand."

They took one look at my torn dress and bloody forehead. They turned and hit their radios.

Minutes later, blinding headlights swept across the lawn. A golf cart rolled up. Nico and Julian got out.

Nico grabbed my wrist. "Where do you think you're going to embarrass us?"

I twisted away and clung to the iron gate. "I'm not marrying him. Let me go. I won't touch a single cent of Vitali money."

Julian stepped closer, faking concern. "Aurora, don't talk like that. It's dangerous out there. Where would you even go?"

"Anywhere is better than here."

Nico raised his hand. Smack. He slapped me across the face.

"Ungrateful bitch," Nico spat. "This family gave you everything. Now we need you to secure our territory, and this is how you repay us?"

I tried to run. Nico grabbed my hair from behind and yanked. My head snapped back in pain.

"Give me a hand," Nico looked at Julian.

They grabbed me by the arms and dragged me back to the manor. My ankle screamed. Every step felt like walking on glass.

They kicked the double doors of the study open. I dropped to my knees on the rug.

Isabella sat at her vanity, leisurely trying on diamond necklaces for tomorrow's gala. Sofia was helping her pick earrings.

When she saw me thrown in, covered in dirt, Sofia flinched back. Faking fear.

I stayed on my knees in front of Isabella. "Let me go. Keep your justice. I won't fight anymore. Please."

Isabella took off the diamonds and turned to me. "Running away right before the gala? Are you trying to make a fool out of me?"

"If I'm gone, your problem is solved."

Isabella slammed her hand on the vanity. "You're throwing away your family for a man? You are a disgrace to the Vitali name!"

I looked up. I felt like a joke.

"Last night on the yacht. You saw them. With your own eyes. Didn't you?" I asked. Every word deliberate.

The study fell dead silent.

"What did Elena lie about? How am I the crazy one?"

Isabella stood up.

She walked over, looking down at my torn dress and bleeding ankle.

For a fleeting moment, a mother's raw pain cracked through her cold mask.

She crouched down, her hand trembling slightly as she gently brushed the dirty, blood-matted hair from my forehead.

"Why must you always fight me, Rory?" she whispered, a suffocating mix of love and frustration in her eyes. "You are my flesh and blood. If you would just lower your head and yield to your sister this once, I could protect you."

I stayed on my knees. "Tomorrow? Tomorrow you’re telling everyone at the gala that I’ve lost my mind. What else is there to say?"

Isabella froze. Her fingers stiffened against my cheek.

Sofia suddenly burst into tears. "I won't marry him! Rory is trying to kill me! I'll just go to a convent tomorrow!"

Isabella ignored me. She let go of my face. She walked to Sofia. Pulled her into a sweet, gentle hug.

"Don't say that, my sweet girl. Mommy's here."