CHAPTER 17: GISELLE'S PAIN IS MY PAIN

VALERIA

Giselle held onto the doorknob, slowly turning it so it didn't make a sound. She had begged Xhafer to take her out... at least she was suffocating. It's been weeks since she stepped out of her room. Xhafer had promised her that he would sneak her out at twilight.

She was uncomfortable and needed to leave, not giving herself a chance to wait till twilight for Xhafer. Tears stung her eyes as her face turned crimson, and the sunset rays bathed her skin as she ran out of the corridors, hiding away from the eyes of the guards and maid because Emilia had given them a strict warning not to ever let me out.

Giselle ran down the stairs, heading to the garden, where she had made her secret place. The dried tears on her face glittered as she bent and hid beneath a bunch of flowers. She held her legs up to her chest, crossed her arms around her legs, and gripped them tightly.

"Is it wrong that I want my parents to love me?" Giselle rubbed the back of her palm on her eyes, wiping off th