You’re the only person I’ve longed to see in the last five years, but every time I let myself think of you, it kills me all over again — the reminder that I can’t, because you’re gone.These past five years have been the most torturous of my life.At this point, I’ve grown desperate — desperate for anything to happen that would make Nicola finally leave.
I’ve never understood him.He never tires of what he does — the cruelty, the control.There are days when he shows a fleeting gentleness, but more often he’s merciless, so much that I wonder if I’ll live to see the next sunrise.Even when he’s kind, I can’t relax; the fear of provoking him never leaves.One wrong word, one glance too long, and I’m beaten until I can’t move — until I’m nothing but bruises and breath.I’ll never understand why he does it, and all I can do is hope that someday I’ll see the light of escape.
The last time I saw Nicola was when he dragged me through hell in his brothel.I never saw him again after that — and I never wanted to.That night was the worst thing he’d ever done to me, something I’ll never forgive, never forget.I cried for days afterward, broken by the things he made me endure.Back then I was helpless, but now, whenever I think about it, rage burns through me for doing nothing to stop him.I imagine all the ways I could’ve fought back, but my weakness always chained me down.My jaw tightens, my fists curl whenever I think of Nicola — the most vile, disgusting, and heartless man walking this earth.
Since Alessandro died, I’ve hated my life.I can’t imagine a future, because every version of it feels wrong without him in it.I think of all we could’ve had — a marriage, children, a home of our own — but it’s nothing more than a dream now.Every night I cry myself to sleep, knowing I’ll probably have to live like this for the rest of my life.I’d rather die and be with Alessandro than marry a monster — a rapist, a heartless man.
“Ariana?”
I turned toward the voice and saw Mom standing in the doorway.The moment our eyes met, her face softened with pain.
“Mom,” I said quietly, “come in.”
She stepped inside — and before I could say another word, she broke down right in front of me.
“Mom, what’s wrong?Why are you crying?”I asked, pulling her into my arms.I fought hard not to break too.I’ve done enough of that — if she saw me cry, it would only destroy her more.
“Cara, look at you,” she sobbed.“I can’t see you like this anymore.I want you out of here.”
Her words hit like a storm, stirring every buried nightmare until my chest tightened with them.Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head.
“Mom,” I croaked, “I can’t leave you here.”
“Ariana, I told you—”
“Mom, I love you so much, and I respect you, but I can’t do what you’re asking.We’ve talked about this before — it’s not going to happen.”My voice was firm, my face blank, leaving no room for argument.
“What is not going to happen?”
The familiar voice froze me where I stood.My spine went rigid, my blood cold.I looked at Mom with wide, terrified eyes as she slowly turned toward the door.
There stood D’Angelo, framed in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.His face was void of any emotion as his eyes swept over us, and a shiver ran down my spine.
“Nothing important, Vito,” Mom answered quickly.
D’Angelo chuckled darkly as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.A smirk crawled across his face as he came closer, each step echoing in my chest.I couldn’t look away; I was too scared to move, too scared to speak.Sweat gathered at my temples, and I felt Mom’s hand slip into mine, her grip trembling but reassuring.
“Do you know what I hate the most?”he asked, raising a brow.“Liars.I fucking despise them — and that’s exactly what you are right now.”His voice dropped, venomous.“Do you know how stupid you sound, Valentina?”
Before either of us could answer, he grabbed Mom’s arm — rough, forceful.She gasped, letting go of my hand as a whimper escaped her.Neither of us dared speak; we both knew how easily words could set him off.
My jaw clenched as I watched him handle her like that.The anger that had been buried inside me for years began to stir.I didn’t think — I just spoke.
“D’Angelo!”I shouted.“Leave her alone!”
The sound of my voice stopped him cold.His grip loosened, and he turned his glare on me — slow, disbelieving.His eyes scanned my face, sharp and calculating, like he couldn’t believe I’d dared to speak.
For a moment, the air froze between us.His surprise shifted into something darker — amusement, maybe — and that was when I knew: I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life.And I might die today.
“What did you say?”
His voice came out low and dangerous, a growl that made the air itself tremble.He released Mom’s arm and started toward me.
“Vito, please—don’t,” Mom said quickly, shaking her head as she hurried to follow him, trying to stop him from getting any closer.
“I said, leave Mom alone, D’Angelo,” I muttered under my breath as he reached me.He was so close that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.His jaw flexed hard, and before I could even blink, his hands shot out and clamped down on my arms.
“You’ve grown older...smarter...bolder,” he hissed.“And I do not fucking like that.”His grip tightened, pain blooming under his fingers.“You need a taste of my medicine, ragazza.I’ve let you off for too long.It’s time you learn to behave.”His breath was hot against my face, his eyes filled with pure contempt.“I’m telling you, Ariana—drop this stupid act.Because if you don’t, I will do things that will ruin you.”
