Chapter 4

Gianna's POV

My world shattered the moment his words left his lips.

Everything blurred, as the walls seemed to close in. The weight of betrayal pressed against my chest, almost suffocating me. I felt my chest tighten,a deep ache settling in my ribs, and squeezing the air from my lungs.

This wasn't happening. There was no way this was real.

I had known Enzo was cruel and selfish, but this was too much, even for him. This was inhumane and he knew it. ….

“She won't resist.” Enzo's words broke through my thoughts. He wasn't just offering me up to save himself, he was doing so with enthusiasm.

“She has no choice." Enzo continued. “As long as I hold the leash, she'll follow. Her mother's life depends on it.”

He assured The tattooed stranger who was holding him captive, and a sickening numbness settled over me.

I was nothing but a bargaining chip to secure his own satefy.

The man in question said nothing. He simply watched, and a part of me couldn't help but feel like he was playing along. He leaned back, then smirked, like he was considering the offer.

“Interesting.” He murmured, amusement lacing his voice. I was just about to mutter a prayer, when he added. “Fine. I'll take her. She has two hours to pack.”

And just like that, my fate had been sealed.

Enzo heaved a breath of relief, at his words. He turned to me, and I didn't miss the twinkle in his eyes that hinted at me being grateful, almost like he wanted me to thank him.

Oh, I was going to be sick.

I didn't even have the strength to glare or fight back. The moment Enzo left with the other men who had brought him in, my knees buckled underneath me, causing me to fall to the ground.

My body trembled, and nausea rose up my throat. Tears stung the back of my eyes, but I couldn't break. Not here. Not yet.

I staggered to my feet, before waking towards the only thing that mattered, my mother.

.

This time, I stumbled into the right room, just to come face to face with my mom. She sat in her usual chair, her hands twitching and fidgeting with each other on her lap.

“Mama.” Her eyes were unfocused, but I only in front of her anyway. “It's me, Gianna.”

She parted her lips, and I felt hope bubble in my chest. The moment she spoke though, it disappeared.

Her words were nothing but nonsensical babbles. Gibberish.

“Please.” I squeezed her hand desperately. “Tell me you recognize me, that you know who I am. Please.”

Nothing.

And that was all it took to break me. Tears trailed down my cheek as I clutched her frail fingers. Grief settled into my bones, and I just knew I'd lost everything.

I sobbed gently as the tears rolled down my face. A knock came from the door, and I wiped my tears immediately, before the person walked in.

When I realized it was Enzo, it didn't make me any better.

“You know I didn't want to do this.” he wore a sad expression on his face, and I wondered how long it took to perfect it. His voice was soft, and if I didn't know who it was coming from, I would have believed it. “but my hands were tied. I'm sorry, I promise I'll find a way to bring you back.”

Nonsense. Only a fool would believe that.

For years, I'd wanted to believe his words,but now, as he spoke I saw him for who he really was.

“Don't be upset.” I let out a soft bitter laugh. “At least you and Lena won't have to hide anymore.”

That was all it took to break through his mask of forced pity.

“What?” His eyes widened in genuine shock. He parted his lips, but was too shocked to come up with any more words.

He had no idea I knew.

His facial expression morphed into guilt, then embarrassment and lastly, rage.

“I gave you everything!” He snarled. “There isn't a man in this world who's as good to you as I am!”

“Oh?” I scoffed. “so good to me that you sold me off like a piece of trash?!”

“You're disabled.” His words sent a stake straight to my heart. “You are blind and worthless. The only good thing that has happened to you, is your connection to my family. What use do you think you have for Raffaele? He'll toss you aside in three days!”

Raffaele. That was his name.

“And you know what?” His jaw clenched as he leaned in. “Im putting an end to your mother's treatment. Let's see how long she can survive without my help.”

No.

The room spun, and a dull ache spread at the back of my head. Red clouded my vision, and before it could fade away, I slapped him across the cheeks.

Hard.

The sound pierced through the room, while Enzo stood stunned. He stood rooted in his spot for a couple of seconds, until his shock made way for something darker.

“Have you regained your sight?” He grabbed me by the wrist, pain shooting up my arm.

“Does it matter?” I cut him off. “I don't need to see you, to know how worthless you are.*

“You watch your tongue right now!” more pain flashed up my arm. His eyes burned with bloody rage, and a part of me could see this becoming physical if someone didn't step in anytime soon. “I'll deal with you.”

His hands clenched into fists. He was just about to land me a punch, or not, when the door behind him burst open.

Two men stormed in, and I just knew they were Raffaele’s men.

“We have to leave.” They announced. “now.*

I didn't fight it, nor did I refuse. I wanted to get out of here, to get as far away as possible from Enzo.

I didn't miss Enzo's smirk. He looked triumphant. He'd won, but his snugness disappeared when more men walked inside.

They weren't guards, nor did they look anything like either of Enzo's or Raffaele's men.

If there was anything their white costs and scrubs gave away, they were from the medical team.

“What's going on here?” Enzo's face reflected the same confusion I was feeling.

“The boss has covered all of her mother's treatments.” One of the men replied, barely glancing at Enzo. “Come on, now let's go.”

Enzo couldn't believe his ears. He stared at the men in pure disbelief. He looked humiliated too. For the first time in a while, he didn't have his way anymore, and it felt refreshing as hell.

But just as relief started to bloom in my chest, something else snatched it away.

“Don't take me away.” a chill ran down my spine at the voice that spoke. I turned sharply, and true enough, it was my mother.

Instead of the hollow look that was stuck in her eyes, something else shone.

“I can't leave.” She croaked. “I can't.”

And just like that, I found myself breaking all over again.