Chapter 9

Everything about this car screamed wealth.

Even the smell of the interior probably cost more than everything I owned before Luca dragged me into his world. I ran my hand over the smooth seat, still trying to process the fact that I was actually here.

Cars like this were things I used to stare at from the sidewalk.

I was never supposed to be inside one.

Yet, here I was. On my way to see my mom.

I still couldn’t believe how easily Luca had agreed. No shouting. No threats. No power plays. He just stared at me for a few long seconds, then gave a short nod.

"Go see her."

That was it.

And honestly? That scared me more than his anger.

Luca never did anything without a motive. I looked out the window, watching regular people walking freely on the sidewalks. Maybe he was just trying to make me trust him again. Or maybe he was setting a trap for later. With a man like him, peace always felt like the calm before a storm.

"We’ll be there in ten minutes, ma'am," the driver said from the front.

Ma'am.

The word felt completely wrong coming directed at me. I just swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

As we pulled into my old neighborhood, a wave of memories hit me so hard it actually hurt to breathe. The fancy high-rises vanished, replaced by cracked fences, tiny corner stores, kids running around without shoes, and older women gossiping on plastic chairs.

This was my world before Luca. The real world.

The driver had to slow down because people were already stopping to stare. A car like this driving down these narrow streets was a massive event. I saw heads turning and people whispering to each other.

My heart started thumping against my ribs.

Then, the car pulled up right in front of my mom’s small house and stopped.

I looked at it through the tinted glass. Nothing had changed at all. The same rusty roof, the tiny front porch, and the exact same faded flower pot my mom tried to keep alive every single year.

My eyes stung with tears.

Before the driver could even get out to open my door, I popped the handle and stepped out myself.

The second my shoes hit the dirt, the front door of the house swung open.

"Mama..." I whispered, my voice breaking.

But as she rushed toward me, the look on her face wasn't the warm, relieved expression I’d been waiting for.

Her eyes immediately darted past me, scanning the shiny car. Then they swept over my clothes, down to my hands, like she was looking for something specific.

The first thing out of her mouth wasn't asking if I was okay. She didn't ask if Luca had hurt me.

Instead, she grabbed my wrist hard and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Where is it?"

I blinked, totally confused. "Where is what?"

"The money, obviously," she said, sounding annoyed. "Gold, jewelry, expensive stuff... don't tell me you came all this way empty-handed after living in a mansion this whole time?"

Her words hit me harder than a physical slap.

"Mama..."

"What?" she snapped. "You think men like that keep women around for free? The least you can do is get something out of it!"

I just stared at her, completely speechless. Every bit of excitement I’d felt on the drive over just evaporated.

"I came to see you," I said softly.

"And I’m looking at you," she shot back. "But where’s the stuff? Even your clothes look like they cost a fortune. Don't tell me you left everything there."

My chest tightened until it hurt to breathe. For a second, I couldn't even get a word out. Then, slowly, the question forced its way past my lips.

"Did you sell me?"

The air between us instantly went cold. My mother’s eyes widened.

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"I'm asking you a question!" My voice finally cracked, loud and sharp, as tears blurred my vision. "Did you sell me to Luca for money?"

She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away defensively. "You should be thanking me instead of throwing a tantrum. Look at where you grew up, and look at the kind of life you have now."

I shook my head, staring at her in absolute disbelief.

A life? Is that what she called it?

Living like a bird in a cage? Being controlled, terrified, and broken down every single day?

"You have no idea what he does to me in that house," I whispered, my voice trembling.

My mother looked out toward the street for a second before her face hardened. "Rich men are difficult," she said coldly. "Just deal with it and make sure you secure your future."

With that one sentence, whatever was left of my heart completely shattered.

I stared at my mother like she was a complete stranger.

This was the woman who was supposed to protect me. To love me. To fight for me. But all she cared about was the price tag on my misery.

"Secure my future?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper. "Mama... Luca treats me like I’m nothing."

She rolled her eyes, looking completely bored by my tears. "Enough with the crying, Aria. You think you're the only one who suffers? Women deal with worse every single day."

I took a slow step back, my chest aching worse than it ever had before. "No," I whispered. "A mother isn't supposed to say that to her daughter."

She let out a loud sigh and crossed her arms tighter. "You’re just being ungrateful. Do you know how many girls would kill to have what you have? The expensive clothes, the cars, the security"

"It's a prison," I cut her off sharply.

She stopped talking.

"That house is a prison."

The silence between us grew heavy and suffocating.

For the first time since I’d pulled up, I noticed the neighbors peeking out from behind their curtains and standing on their porches, staring at the luxury car. Some of them were already whispering and pointing.

My mother noticed them too.

Her face changed instantly. She forced a fake, bright smile and grabbed my arm, pulling me closer to her. "Don’t embarrass me in front of the neighborhood," she muttered through her teeth.

I almost laughed out loud. It was so messed up. Embarrass her? After everything she’d done?

"You know what hurts the most?" I asked quietly, looking right into her eyes. "I kept praying for a chance to come here. I thought if I could just see you, I’d finally feel safe again."

Her expression hardened a little.

"But now I realize..." My voice cracked, thick with tears. "I was never safe. Not even here."

For a split second, a flash of actual guilt crossed her face. But she buried it just as fast.

"You’re just being dramatic," she said coldly. "This is your life now. Just accept it."

I wiped the tears from my cheeks, suddenly feeling a surge of anger. "No."

She frowned. "What do you mean, no?"

"I mean I'm done letting people hurt me and calling it survival."

My mother let out a dry, mocking laugh. "And what exactly are you going to do? Leave Luca? Go where?"

I opened my mouth to snap back, but nothing came out.

Because deep down, she was right. I didn’t know. I had nowhere to go. No money, no friends, no one. The brutal truth settled heavy in my chest. Luca controlled my entire life, and the one person who was supposed to save me had just slammed the door in my face.

Suddenly, the heavy thud of a car door closing echoed behind me.

I froze instantly. Every muscle in my body went stiff.

My mother’s eyes went wide with fear as she looked past my shoulder.

Then, a familiar, deep voice spoke calmly from the darkness behind me.

"Interesting conversation."

My blood ran completely cold.

Luca.

My mother’s entire vibe switched in an instant.

"M-Mr. Luca," she stammered, her voice shaking before she forced a massive, fake smile onto her face. "Welcome. You should have told us you were coming!"

I turned around slowly. Luca was standing by the car, looking completely relaxed. His dark eyes shifted from me to my mother, calculating and calm. It felt like he’d been standing there listening to us for a lot longer than we realized.

And knowing Luca, he definitely had.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Luca adjusted the cuff of his shirt, totally unbothered, before speaking in that polite, dangerous voice of his. "I hope Aria wasn’t causing any trouble."

My mother laughed nervously. It was way too fast, way too loud. "Trouble? No, no... she’s just being emotional. You know how girls are."

Hearing her say that made me feel physically sick.

Luca’s eyes landed on me for a second. Cold. Dead. Completely unreadable.

Then, another luxury car pulled up right behind his. Two men in black suits got out, their arms loaded with massive shopping bags and high-end boxes.

My mother gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh my god..."

The men just kept unloading stuff, piling it up. Jewelry boxes, expensive food baskets, designer bags, wrapped gifts. They even hauled a massive, brand-new flat-screen TV out of the trunk, still in its packaging.

My mother’s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head. "Mr. Luca, this is too much!"

Luca gave a small, faint smile. "It’s nothing. Aria always talks about how much she misses you, so I thought it was only right to take care of family."

Family.

The word sounded like a threat coming out of his mouth.

My mother was practically vibrating with excitement now. "May God bless you!" she gushed, running a finger over one of the velvet jewelry boxes like it was holy. "You really are a good man."

I stared at her, totally disgusted. A good man? Was she blind, or did the glitter of his money just completely wipe out her common sense?

Luca walked over, stepping up right next to me. Without even looking at me, he spoke in a low voice meant only for my ears. "You seem disappointed."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was buying her, just like he bought everyone else in his life.

My mother grabbed Luca’s hand, practically beaming. "Please, come inside! Let me make you something to eat."

Luca gave a polite nod. But right before he followed her toward the porch, he leaned down close to my ear.

"And you," he whispered, his breath cold against my skin, "stop looking at me like I stole something precious from you."

A chill ran straight down my spine. Because deep down, he knew that was exactly what he did.