Chapter 1

"Play something happy, Alessia! Is this my birthday party or a funeral?"

Bianca's shrill voice cut through the party chatter, a dull knife scraping my last nerve.

I took a deep breath, my fingertips numb, and let my hands move on autopilot across the keys.

I was wearing a faded old dress, the hem crudely stitched, completely out of place in the glittering ballroom.

"God, look at her hands," Bianca pointed and laughed. "They're as rough as a charwoman's. And she thinks she can be a pianist? Alessia, you're better suited to scrubbing our toilets."

A wave of harsh laughter erupted around them.

I kept my head down, saying nothing, just moving my fingers faster.

Ever since my mother died ten years ago and my stepmother, Genevieve, moved in, my life had been hell.

She forbade me from touching the piano and burned my sheet music.

She made me do the dirtiest, hardest chores with the maids, torturing my once-delicate hands with endless work.

But I didn't give up.

I endured it for ten years, saving every penny from my meager allowance, all for a chance to escape this house.

Tonight was Bianca's twenty-first birthday. It was also the night I'd been planning my escape for a whole year.

When it was time to blow out the candles, and all eyes were on the huge, fancy cake, I quietly closed the piano lid and slipped into the shadows.

I hurried down the long hall and pushed open the back door.

The cold night air was a shock to my skin, jolting me awake.

Run.

I hiked up my skirt and sprinted down the dark alley.

My pre-booked taxi was waiting just two blocks away.

Freedom was so close.

Suddenly, blinding headlights tore through the darkness. A black SUV screeched to a halt, blocking my path.

The doors flew open and a few of my father's men jumped out.

"Miss Alessia, your father is waiting for you," the man in the lead said, his face expressionless as he grabbed my wrist.

"Let me go! Let go!" I struggled, digging my nails into his skin.

But I was powerless, a lamb to the slaughter.

I was shoved into the car, and a cold dread washed over me.

…

Slap!

The sharp sound echoed through the study.

I was knocked to the cold floor, my cheek instantly swelling as the taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Is this how you repay me?" My father, Antonio, was furious, his chest heaving. "Do you have any idea the shame you've brought on this family?"

I spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, "Repay you? Father, you should be asking if you've ever been kind to me!"

My father's face stiffened. A flash of guilt crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by even more anger. "You dare talk back to me!"

My stepmother, Genevieve, stood by with her arms crossed, a soft, fake smile on her face. "Alessia, darling, even if you don't like me, you shouldn't upset your father like this. He cares so much about you."

I couldn't stand her phony act and turned my head away in disgust.

Even if I failed this time, I wouldn't give up.

I swore to myself this wasn't over.

"Enough," my father said, waving his hand impatiently at my stubborn silence. "Stop wasting time with her. Alessia, I've indulged your willfulness long enough. The family needs you. You have a chance to atone for this."

"An alliance with the Valerius family. You will marry Caspian."