“Stop fucking snapping at her,” I growl at Tanaka. Turning my attention back to Yuki, I order, “Look at me.”
When she lifts her eyes to mine again, she swallows hard, and I notice the trembling in her body growing.
The longer I stare into her brown irises that are drowning in fear, the more I feel pity for this woman.
She’s beautiful, and I know she’s strong. It wouldn’t be a chore on my part to marry her, and it would give me a chance to make things right with Yuki.
“Augusto,” Christiano says, his tone tense. “What is your decision?”
Chapter 9
Yuki
My heart is thundering against my ribs, and every muscle in my body is wound so tightly, I’m a trembling mess.
Over the past three months, I’ve been forced to endure pain unlike anything I’ve felt before. Having my teeth fixed. The hunger cramps.
But what’s hurt the most is the shame and dishonor. Especially today.
As I stare into Mr. Vitale’s eyes while everyone waits for him to make up his mind, the last of my hope hangs by a tattered thread.
Mr. Vitale's green gaze flicks to my father, and then he answers, “Fine, but the wedding will be held in New York.”
“As you wish,” Father says, triumph written all over his face.
I’m going to be forced to marry Mr. Vitale. The last time I saw him, he almost broke me. How will I survive him a second time?
There’s no burst of shock, but instead, the last mustard seed of hope dies. Melancholy fills my soul, and it feels as if the strength that’s kept me going drains from my body.
Mr. Vitale’s eyes lock on me again, and I bristle, my body too familiar with the brutal pain his fists can inflict. He moves closer to me, and I can’t stop myself from stumbling two steps backward.
“Yuki!” Father snaps.
Mr. Vitale crouches in front of me and picks up my dress, then holds it out to me. “Get dressed in the bedroom. I need my jacket.”
I grab the fabric from him, and desperate for a few seconds of privacy, I run to the ensuite bathroom in the bedroom.
I place Mr. Vitale’s jacket on the counter, and after I quickly put on my dress again, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror.
For so many years, I wondered what it would be like to dress like a woman. To wear pretty clothes and makeup. To have a man look at me with desire.
Now I know. It’s terrifying, especially when the man is the one who almost killed me.
In a month, I’ll be handed over to Mr. Vitale.
A forlorn feeling has my eyes drifting shut.
Hold out for Ryo. He’ll take over one day, and he’ll come to save you wherever you are.
I don’t know how I’ll survive until then, but I have to.
“Yuki!” I hear Yutaro snap from the bedroom, and I quickly grab Mr. Vitale’s jacket. When I rush out of the bathroom, his palm connects with the side of my head, while he rips the jacket from my hands. “Stay here.”
As Yutaro returns to the sitting room, I fold my arms around my middle and fight to keep the tears from falling.
The urge to destroy everything in sight before throwing myself out the window shoots through me, but one thought keeps me rooted to the spot.
Ryo.
