She scoffed and crossed her arms. “I don’t need reminding to take care of myself.”
“Fair enough. But seriously, don’t hole up in here with that computer of yours. And don’t be late for dinner.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
She watched me carefully, her emotions a mix of suspicion and curiosity. “A good surprise or one of your twisted, sadistic ones?”
I chuckled as I turned to the door. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
As I left her room, I couldn’t help but glance back. She was already seated at her desk again, her fingers hovering over the keys, but her thoughts were far away. I could feel her confusion, her unease, and beneath it all, a flicker of something softer.
I didn’t have time to unpack it. Whatever it was, it would have to wait.
22
VIVIAN
Eldora delivered a dress and instructed me to wear it to dinner. The white silk clung to my skin, its soft texture doing little to calm my frayed nerves. It was undeniably beautiful, the fabric skimming my curves and glimmering in the low light. I hated it. It wasn’t me. This was straight out of one of Raffaele’s fantasies, a garment designed to transform me into some porcelain doll, delicate and ornamental. I tugged at the hem, wishing for jeans and a hoodie, something I could disappear in.
The memory of Raffaele’s last “surprise” sat like a lead weight in my chest. His excitement had hummed through the bond when he’d mentioned it earlier, and it only made things worse. He had been excited the day he’d executed those guards right in front of me. What kind of man felt joy over that?
My hands trembled as I adjusted the dress, the thin straps slipping down my shoulders as if mocking my discomfort. I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back. This wasn’t me. It couldn’t be me. No glasses and all dolled up. I could tell from the feel of the fabric that this dress cost more than I’d ever made on any job. I’d never spend a fortune on a dress like this.
A soft knock at the door broke my spiral of self-loathing. “Come in,” I called, my voice more brittle than I intended.
Eldora stepped inside. She was perfectly composed, every hair in place, her dark dress understated yet elegant. But it was her eyes that caught me—steady, kind, unyielding. She always seemed to carry a quiet strength that made me feel like I wasn’t completely alone.
“I thought you might need some company,” she said, her warm tone wrapping around me like a protective cloak. Her gaze flicked over me, and she smiled softly. “You look lovely.”
I scoffed. “I look like I belong in one of those creepy music boxes that plays on its own in the middle of the night.”
She chuckled. “Maybe. But you’d be the kind of music box people would fight to keep.”
Her words caught me off guard, cutting through the self-doubt I hadn’t even realized was bubbling to the surface. I met her gaze hesitantly, searching for any sign of pity. There was none. Only understanding.
“Do you know what thissurpriseis?” I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.
Eldora’s smile faded slightly, her expression unreadable. “No. But he’s been… different today. Lighter. Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s meant to hurt you.”
I wanted to believe her. Gods, I wanted to. But Raffaele Gallanti wasn’t exactly known for his kindness or altruism. Still, the sincerity in Eldora’s voice eased some of the tightness in my chest.
She stepped closer and brushed a stray strand of hair from my face. “I’m sure you’ve been through worse than this, Vivian. I can see years of pain and disappointment in your eyes. I think people who have suffered can more easily recognize it in others. And you’ve survived every time. You’ll survive this, too.”
Her words soothed the raw edges of my fear. I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “Thanks, Eldora.”
Her smile returned, soft and reassuring, the kind of smile that made you believe things might actually be okay. “Shall we?” she asked, extending her arm.
I looped mine through hers, grateful for the support as we left the room. The corridors were quiet, the grand halls stretching out ahead of us in a labyrinth of polished marble and dimly lit chandeliers. The silence should have been oppressive, but Eldora’s steady presence kept my nerves at bay.
When we reached the dining hall, I froze just outside the towering double doors. Eldora released my arm, giving me a gentle nudge forward. “You’ll be fine.”
I wasn’t sure if she believed that or just wanted me to believe, but her confidence steadied me. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders, and stepped inside.
The room was just as grand as it always was, with its impossibly high ceilings and shimmering crystal chandeliers. The dining table stretched out before me, its dark wood gleaming under the soft glow of candlelight. Everything looked pristine, untouched. Normal.
But normal in Raffaele’s world wasn’t the same as normal anywhere else.
