shat

ast

Alessandro had forced himself on me-and no matter how many times I blinked, I coul

r of the room, every muscle in my body shaking, my sobs tearing through the still air like broken g

il I could

ustion and my mind sought ref

as a strang

dragging me back to the brutal reality of what had happened just hours ago

ross the room

back at me was someon

s were

in was

e and hope, now carried the de

ntly, as if hoping to wake

was a

ater burned as it rushed over my skin, but still I scrubbed harder.

surface. It lived deeper n

le black gown from my closet. It

like mourn

tt

g inside me had

nnoc

saf

tter how twisted, could still

, I would

oed from downstairs. Hesitantly, I fo

in the

ing the floors, setting things back to the illusion of order

methin

ng irre

. Amato," a voice

ctful nod. His eyes fell to the black dress I w

my mouth.

you're mourning someth

aid flatly. "Just f

ner of the r

-and the

ssa

ack gown. His expression unreadable. Then

like he was complimenting a necklace

opri

rip it off

straight up to him, my

y father at the

opped. His e

ules. You went into my room when I tol

st tig

arged into my room! You-you raped me, Alessand

ell into d

s face paled. But I didn't care. Th

my voice cracking under the weight of emotion. "What

ing crossed his eyes-was it guilt? Anger? Sham

ted teeth. "You've had your

th a flicker of hope-

is presence suffocating. "I'm coming with you. It's

cream no. But I needed to see my f

ood," I

he workers. "Change th

ded with silent rage. What kind of man could order t

tes," he said coldly and

nt lat

edroom door made

minute

he was dressed in

y side. Like a couple on their

we we

burying

r, each turn bringing me closer to the one person

. Alessand

in my chest. Th

ice laced with panic. "This isn't the ro

emained on

t looking at me, he spok

wanted to se

h caught

, bitter smile c

say go