CHAPTER 3

I stared at my phone for a long time after the message appeared on my screen.

My fingers trembled as I read it again.

And again.

And again.

My chest felt tight, like the air had been sucked out of the room. I glanced at the door that connected my room to Sofia’s, half expecting someone to be standing there. Watching. Listening.

I locked my phone and set it face down on the nightstand, then immediately picked it back up. My thumb hovered over the screen. Delete. Block. Ignore.

I didn’t do any of it.

Instead, I slid the phone under my pillow like it could somehow protect me there.

Sleep did not come easily that night.

Every sound made my heart jump. Every creak of the mansion felt louder than it should have been. I kept thinking about Stacy’s eyes when she left. The venom in her voice. The way she looked at me like I was something she needed to destroy.

Before she left the way she looked at me frightened me, and I wasn't one to make enemies. Plus, it wasn't a coincidence that this message is coming in now after today's incident. It was definitely her. How did she get my number, how did she-

A soft knock came from the connecting door.

“Emily?” Sophia’s small voice whispered.

I sat up immediately. “Yes, principessa?”

She pushed the door open and padded into my room in her pajamas, her curls messy from sleep. She climbed onto my bed without hesitation and curled against my side like she had done it a hundred times before.

“I had a bad dream,” she murmured.

I wrapped my arm around her gently. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

She shook her head. “I don't want to talk about the monster. what if it comes here and takes us away"

Something warm and painful settled in my chest at the same time.

“You’re safe,” I whispered. “I’m right here.”

She sighed and relaxed against me, her breathing evening out within minutes.

I stayed still long after she fell asleep, staring at the ceiling, wondering how a child could trust so easily while adults carried so much damage.

When it was time to get ready for school, Sophia ran out of the room saying something along the lines like wanting to see her dad. I allowed her to get to it and some minutes later she returned and I prepared her for school.

“Emily, walk me today,” she insisted.

“There’s a driver,” I said gently. “And guards.”

She frowned. “I want you.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

As we walked through the halls, I felt his gaze on me more than once. Not intrusive. Observant. Like he was noticing things he hadn’t before.

At breakfast, Sophia barely touched her food and stayed glued to my side. Matteo noticed too.

“She seems unsettled,” he said quietly.

“She had a nightmare,” I replied.

His jaw tightened slightly. “Did she say what it was about?”

“No.”

He nodded. “I will speak to her later.”

After Sophia left for school, Matteo turned to me.

“Emily,” he said gently. “I want you to know that yesterday should never have happened the way it did. I apologize for exposing you to that.”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “You don't have to apologize again.”

“I do,” he replied. “You are here to care for my daughter, not to be attacked or disrespected.”

My throat tightened at his words.

“There will be increased security for the time being,” he continued. “Nothing for you to worry about. Just precaution.”

I hesitated. “Is it because of your ex wife?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “She does not accept boundaries easily.”

I thought of the message under my pillow but said nothing.

“If at any point you feel uncomfortable,” he added, “you come to me. Immediately. No matter how small it seems.”

His tone was firm but kind. Protective without being suffocating.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

That afternoon passed quietly. I organized Sophia’s things, prepared her room, and tried to calm my thoughts. But the unease lingered like a shadow I could not shake.

When Sophia returned from school, she ran straight into my arms.

“I missed you,” she announced.

I laughed softly. “I missed you too.”

That evening, we played dollhouse in her playroom. She made me be the mother every single time.

“You cook,” she instructed. “And you stay.”

My chest tightened again.

Later, as I tucked her into bed, she held my hand.

“Emily?”

“Yes, principessa?”

“You won’t leave, right?”

The question was small. Fragile.

“I’m here,” I said honestly. “As long as you need me.”

She smiled, satisfied, and drifted off to sleep.

I stepped into my room quietly and let out a breath I felt like I had been holding all day.

I had just changed into comfortable clothes when I heard soft footsteps.

“Emily.”

I turned to see Matteo standing at the open door, his hands in his pockets. He looked hesitant, almost unsure.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he said.

“No,” I replied. “It’s fine.”

He stepped inside but kept a respectful distance.

“Sofia seems very attached to you,” he said. “More than I expected.”

“She’s a wonderful child,” I said. “She just needs consistency.”

He nodded slowly. “She trusts you.”

Silence settled between us, not awkward but heavy.

“Emily,” he said after a moment, “I want to be clear about something. You are not expected to replace anyone in her life. You are here to care for her, yes, and that's all

“I understand.” I said, wondering if he knew the strange way Sophia had become attached to me

“Did you tell her to call you mum?" he asked his face cold. A deafening silence rang. She had asked him about getting a new mother

"Of course not, I would never do that" I replied immediately

" Good because she's not getting one anytime soon. it's best not to get her hopes up for nothing" He said

"I understand" was my meek reply

Our eyes met, and for a brief second, something unspoken passed between us. Guilt. Remorse. Longing? yeah definitely not longing he just made it clear that nothing of such would be happening between us that alone had killed any feelings I may have had for him.

He exhaled. “Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

“Goodnight, Matteo.”

“Goodnight, Emily.”

After he left, I locked my door and sat on my bed, my thoughts racing again. My attraction to him was evident but he wanted nothing to do with me, it is what it is. Laying down I pulled my phone out and stared at the threatening message once more dread growing within me.

I did not reply.

Instead, I turned the phone off.

Tomorrow, I told myself. I would figure it out tomorrow, but one thought refused to leave my mind.

I had stepped into a world where people fought for possession. For control. For love.

And somehow, without realizing it, I was already in the middle of it.