ella

riumphant smirk vanished from Bianca's face, r

ds clamped onto my arms with bruising force, dragging me toward the massive, Rococo-painted silk

ut out your tongue), Mrs. Russo hissed in harsh, gutt

eezing wall, pressing my hands over my mo

tiny slit in the silk hinges, his sheer presence sucked the oxygen from the air. He was a predator wrapped in a bes

ca. "You look exhausted," his

re softening into that of a fragile, overwhelm

Damien's lips. It was the look of a satisfi

the pitch black, flashed through my mind. He thought he was talking to his wife. He thought the whimpers he had

need my maid to apply some ointment. I fear I cannot accompany you

troked by her supposed fragility. "Rest,

icate facade vanished, replaced by a sneer of pure, aristocratic disdain. She elegantly picked u

t," she

eeping my head bowed, playing t

nly weakness. "I hear her condition at St. Mary's Hospital is worsening. The doct

napping securely around my neck. I forced my eyes to wi

e to save your miserable mother. From tonight on, you will take her place and fulfill the wifely

llness made me a weak, desperate pawn, easily controlled by fear and scraps of mercy. They

erfect, pathetic submission. "Yes. Thank y

sell the performance. Then, I slowly raised my tear-streaked face, lookin

y voice breaking. "I have