avy curtains blocking out most of the sunlight. I blinked against the half-light, my heart sinki

ocked in a filthy cage. Every inch of me hurt, a constant reminder of the life I had endured bef

where would I go? The market had stripped me of everything-my strength, my hope, my will to fight. And n

eaked open,

yes carried heaviness, as though she had seen too much. She moved with

her voice a soothing contrast t

, my throat too

kfast," she continued, h

these people, but hunger gnawed at my insides, relentless and unforgiving. Slowly, I reached for

on unreadable. "I know you're scared," she

w in my ears, as though i

d to croak out, my voic

her gaze steady. "I work here.

I wanted the answer. The thought of doing anything, be

fabric of her apron. "You will have to as

heavy with his presence. He was dressed sharply, his dark suit tailored to perfection

said, his voice low

ighter, my pu

anded, his tone leavin

d for a moment, his gaze sweeping over me like he was siz

ck, and I released the breath I

attention. "You should do as he says,"

as simple, the fabric soft and flowing. I stood slowly, my l

silence pressing down on me. When I finally turned to face the mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back

faintly. "Yo

cognized anymore. It seemed distant, foreig

r me, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw so

curtly. "We don'

p. The mansion was a labyrinth of hallways and doors, each

pose, his every step deliberate and confident. There was something undeniably intimidating abo

the stairs, he finally spoke.

erent answer. Fear wrapped around my

, his voice devoid of emotion. "That means

low ache in its wake. It was final, definitive, and somethi

rusting myself to spea

rrowing. "I don't tolerate disobedience, Daisy. If you want

ered, my voice

a moment longer be

n us like a chasm. I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted fro

gers with cold eyes and predatory smiles. Lorenzo's presence seemed to command their attention,

he instructed, his tone le

keep my fear in check. Whatever this was, wh

st...