جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

--- Elena’s POV The next morning, I woke with only one thought in my head—escape. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my chest tigh as yesterday’s events replayed over and over. My father’s cruel eyes, his cold words, the heavy silence that had swallowed me whole. I couldn’t take it anymore. If I stayed, in three days I would no longer belong to myself. I’d be handed over to Adriano Romano like some possession to be bargained away. No. I refused. Sliding out of bed, I grabbed a small bag and stuffed it with a few clothes, my hands trembling as I counted the crumpled bills I had hidden away. It wasn’t much, but it would have to be enough. The house was silent. Shadows stretched across the dark hallway. My every step made the floorboards creak, and I paused each time, heart hammering against my ribs. If anyone heard me—if Father found out I was finished. I swallowed my fear and tiptoed toward the back door. My father’s guards patrolled the front and the main gate, but the b

--- Chapter 4 ~ Elena’s POV~ I sat near the window, staring aimlessly at the sky painted in pink and blue hues. Birds soared freely, their wings gliding against the soft breeze. If only I could be free like them. The door to my room burst open with a loud bang. My stepmother strutted in, arrogance dripping from every click of her heels. The maids followed behind her like obedient shadows. She was beautiful brown hair, striking blue eyes but behind that face was a heart as black as coal. God, how I loathe her. “Stand up,” she ordered, a scowl twisting her features. I obeyed, confusion tugging at my brow “Go take a shower,” she said sharply. “But I already—” “Did I ask for your opinion?” she snapped, rolling her eyes. Without sparing me another glance, she barked orders at the maids. Before I could resist, they dragged me into the bathroom. After another bath, I emerged to find a dress laid neatly on my bed. “You’re meeting your soon-to-be husband,” my stepmother annou

--- Chapter 6 ~Elena’s POV~ Here came the day I dreaded most. I sat in a room full of people fussing over my hair and makeup. Apparently, we were getting married in a church. A church. Put a bunch of murderers and criminals under the roof of God and call it holy matrimony. The irony almost made me laugh. “Ma’am, do you like it?” one of the stylists asked, turning the chair so I could face the mirror. I forced a smile at my reflection, though it didn’t reach my eyes. Every girl should feel happy on her wedding day, but I wasn’t. My makeup was beautiful, at least. Not too heavy, just enough to highlight my features. My hair was styled into a bun, with soft curls framing my face, glittering with tiny diamond pins. “Yes,” I nodded. She smiled. “Perfect. Now, let’s get you in your dress.” I stood as they helped me step into the gown. It was an off-shoulder ball gown, laced quickly and adjusted neatly. A diamond necklace was placed around my neck, and my feet slid into silver he

--- Chapter 8 ~Elena’s POV~ I walked behind him, my steps soft against the polished floor, while his voice echoed harshly in Italian through the phone. I couldn’t understand a single word, but his tone was sharp, commanding, laced with irritation that made me shiver. It felt like the air itself tightened with every syllable, as though even the walls dared not defy him. The house around us was stunning beautiful in a way that almost stole my breath. Modern furniture gleamed beneath muted lights, and paintings screamed elegance across the walls , their colors rich but cold. There was no warmth here, only precision and shadows , also a menacing vibe that somehow mirrored him. It was the kind of beauty that impressed you but at the same time made your chest feel heavy, as if you had walked into a place where laughter and softness didn’t belong. The faint scent of leather, polished wood, and something sharp maybe cologne clung to the air. I was so busy staring, caught between

--- Chapter 10 ~Elena’s POV~ What’s going on here? The air grew heavy, so heavy it felt like I’d stepped into a freezer. The room became unnervingly still, the kind of silence that made your heartbeat sound like a war drum in your ears. My chest tightened, and for a moment I swore the temperature dropped to zero degrees Celsius. I didn’t dare turn around. I didn’t need to , I could feel him. His presence pressed down on me like a storm rolling in. It wasn’t just physical; it was the kind of dominance that seeped into your bones, whispering that resistance was useless. My palms grew clammy, and my throat went dry. Oh no. I’m in deep shit now. I forced myself to turn, inch by inch, until I faced him. My eyes dropped instantly I didn’t have the courage to meet his. Adriano stood there, tall, broad, every inch the predator staring down his prey. He didn’t speak. He just waited, gaze heavy, as if daring me to explain. My stomach churned. Would he hit me? Put a bullet throu