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I was living my nightmare again.
I tried to raise my arm but was horrified to find out that I couldn’t. I tried to move my legs, but I couldn’t.
They felt heavy, and there was no mistaking the coldness of steel wrapped around my wrists or ankles. I moved again, and the sound of metal jiggling filled the darkness.
I was chained.
Panicked, I tried to move. I wrenched my arms and legs but only cried out in pain when the metal bit into my skin.
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes in despair. My hands and legs were manacled to a damp stone wall. I was shackled to the wall like a slave.
My throat constricted as I fought to breathe. My vision swam with dizziness, and my head tilted against the wall as I tried to keep my eyes open.
I heard footsteps approaching, and my stomach cramped. I whimpered in fear. My pulse thudded painfully against my temple and throat. My chest felt heavy under the pressure of my panic and fear.
I trembled against the wall, waiting for my impending fate.
And then suddenly, I wasn’t in darkness anymore. The light was on, and my eyes closed instantly at the sudden glare. I flinched away and pushed myself harder against the wall, as if it could protect me.
I tried to cover my face with my hands, but they were yanked down cruelly. My eyes snapped open, and I was staring right into Alberto’s eyes.
I cried out in pain as he tightened his fingers around my arm. When he smiled, I flinched.
“Shhh, love,” he said in my ear, his tongue licking down my neck.
Fear rendered me immobile. His fingers wrapped around my hair, and he pulled my head back until I was staring at him.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?” he hissed, his face red with rage. “You can escape, but I will always find you.”
My heart sank. I knew this day would come. I was childish to think I was safe.
Alberto looked crazed as his hand twisted in my hair. I winced as my scalp burned like fire.
“Did you let him fuck you?” he asked, grabbing my chin. His fingers dug into my skin, and I had to bite my lips to stop myself from crying out. “Of course you did. He fucking touched you. Did you forget that you’re mine?” Alberto snarled in my face. I cowered back and shook my head.
How could I forget? I was, after all, chained to my past. But for a small moment, I had let myself believe I was Alessio’s.
Alberto stared at me for a second. He watched my tears slide down my cheeks, and I saw his eyes shining with delight.
He released me and stood up. I slumped against the wall, my body suddenly weak. Alberto walked backward and sat down on the chair placed in the middle of the room. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, looking dangerously intimidating.
I quickly looked around the room, but it was empty. There were no windows, and the room looked unfinished.
When realization dawned, I sucked in a harsh breath. It wasn’t a room. It was a dungeon.
My eyes snapped up. Alberto’s lips curled as he speared me with a chilling glare. I trembled against his gaze and glanced down. I couldn’t look at him. His face was a reminder of every bad thing that I had gone through.
“You ruined your father’s plan,” Alberto started. My eyebrows furrowed, but I didn’t look up. “All this time, he kept you hidden so the Russians wouldn’t find out about you. And now, they know about your existence.”
I peeked up at him through my hair that was half covering my face. Alberto shook his head. “You were a fucking liability. A weakness. If they knew who you were, they would have come after you. Did you ever wonder why you were never allowed out of the estate?”
I didn’t answer. It didn’t matter what my answer was. Alberto would say whatever he wanted.
“Because you are a dead woman. You died in a fire twenty-one years ago.”
My head snapped up, my heart throbbing at this new revelation. Alberto laughed at my expression, his face sinister. “But that’s what the world thinks. Your death was fabricated, so your father’s enemy wouldn’t come after you.”
Suddenly, his face changed. The anger was back full force. “But you fucking ruined all of that. You had to escape. And you had to end up with those Goddamn Russians. Now, they know the truth.”
Shaking his head, he smiled. It was malicious, and I shuddered. “But I think it all played out well.”
I didn’t understand what he meant. I only saw his smile. The same one that haunted my memories. I would never forget that smile.
Alessio. Where are you? I silently begged. I needed him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe without him.
