Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

The sun crept from behind a veil of thin morning clouds, pale gold light spilling across the room. It slipped through the narrow gaps in the window panels and struck my hand where it lay above the covers, warm and intrusive.I turned away with a quiet groan, dragging the blanket with me to the cooler side of the bed, shielding my eyes from the glow. I tried to fall back asleep. I really did.But every time darkness pulled me under, Ruciano’s face followed.The way he had looked at me.I gave up.It had only been one day since I arrived in this house, yet it felt like I had lived through weeks of silent terror. Today, I would be taken to the mafia gathering — a place filled with people powerful enough to end lives over pride, boredom… or nothing at all.I didn’t know when we were leaving.I didn’t know what I would be forced to wear.I didn’t know how I was expected to behave.And then it hit me. I hadn’t eaten.As if my body had been waiting for permission to complain, my stomach grow

Lina’s POV Marcio’s smile lingered. Slow. Knowing. Predatory. It made my stomach twist. It made my blood run cold. But I refused to let them see it. I didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want to be part of their traditions, their bloodlines, their power games dressed up as “structure.” I wanted air. Space. A life that didn’t feel like a cage lined with velvet and gold. I want freedom. I turned slightly toward Carlino. If anyone could stop this… it was him. And I hated that I needed him to. I hated that I was depending on him. I hated the fact only he could take me out of this. But his face— It was carved from stillness. He looked composed. Like a man who had nothing to worry about. A man who's life was void of chaos. When infact it was the exact opposite. He slipped one hand into his pocket, the motion unhurried, almost bored. Like they weren’t deciding the direction of his life. Like they weren’t circling him like wolves waiting for a misstep. The facilitator cleared

It had been two weeks since I’d been trapped in this hellhole. Carlino was barely ever home. According to the staff, he was either at the hotel or out of the country. Same routine. Same absence. Bella was the only reason I hadn’t lost my mind yet.Still, every now and then, that stupid title — the Don’s woman… the Mafia Queen — wrapped around my throat like invisible rope. The maids whispered when I passed. Some of the guards didn’t even bother lowering their voices.“Just another whore acting expensive.”I stopped reacting after the first few days. What was the point?Hunger finally forced me out of bed. If I was going to survive this cage, I needed strength — even if it came from food bought with blood money.The moment I opened my door, the two guards stationed outside straightened. They’d been there every single day. Watching. Waiting. Like I was some dangerous animal instead of a prisoner in silk sheets.Carlino’s

Lina’s POVThe punishment didn’t stop.It evolved.Doors that used to open now required permission. Corridors that once felt endless now felt measured — patrolled. Even the garden had guards posted like decorative statues with guns.I tested it anyway.“I’m going outside,” I told the guard near the staircase.“You need approval.”“From who? God?”“From Don Carlino.”I smiled without humor. “Does he also approve when I breathe?”The guard didn’t react. They never did. I walked past him anyway. He stepped in front of me.Not touching. Not threatening.Just blocking.Message received.I turned on my heel and went the other way, jaw tight. If Carlino wanted a symbol, fine. Symbols could still be inconvenient.By lunch, three different staff members had “politely reminded” me that meals were now to be eaten in my sitting room.“Am I con

Lina’s POV The house was too quiet after the blood dried. Not peaceful. Not safe. Just… watchful. Guards still lined the halls, but their posture had changed. Alert. Tight. Like the walls had heard the gunshot and were waiting for the echo to come back. I wasn’t locked in my room. That was worse.No orders. No restrictions. No Carlino. Freedom inside a cage is just another kind of leash. I never heard about my parents filling for a missing case, I never saw the news about them looking for me. It was just silent.Carlino's influence may have made it look like I never even existed at first.I walked down the main corridor. Past the sitting room. Past the tall windows that showed nothing but iron gates and trimmed hedges pretending this place wasn’t built like a fortress.I turned a corner — and stopped. He was there.Carlino’s father sat near the far window, a blanket folded neatly over his lap, hands resting on the armrests of hi