Isabella stayed quiet, her head still resting on her knees. Valentina’s hand rubbed slow circles on her back, the way a mother might calm a frightened child.“Listen, Isabella,” Valentina said softly, her voice steady but firm. “I know this world looks cruel to you now. But if you want to survive here, you need to be strong.”Isabella lifted her head a little. Her eyes were wet, lashes heavy with tears.Valentina cupped her cheeks gently, forcing her to meet her gaze. Her fingers were warm, her touch soft, but her eyes burned with sharpness. “Strength is the only way forward. If you break, they will use you. If you show weakness, they will crush you.”Isabella’s lips trembled. “But… I don’t want to be cruel, ma’am.”Valentina’s eyes softened, though her grip on Isabella’s cheeks did not loosen. “You don’t have to be cruel, dear. You just have to be unbreakable. There’s a difference.”She leaned closer, her perfume filling the air, sweet but strong. “Your father left you an empire. Tha
Last Updated : 2025-10-04 Read more