"Use it," Bianca says quietly. "His feelings for you. His desire to make you happy. That's power, Seraphina. Real power."
"I don't want power. I just want freedom."
"Freedomispower." She sits back. "The freedom to do what you want. Go where you want. Live how you want. You think I've been trapped in this family for thirty years? I made myself indispensable. Irreplaceable. No man in this family would dare cross me because they need me. My connections. My intelligence. My ability to see three moves ahead while they're still planning the first. Even when Antonio was alive, he knew I was no one to trifle with."
I swallow heavily. "I'm not like you."
"No. But you could be." She studies me. "You're smart, Seraphina. Educated. You have skills, passions, things that make you valuable beyond your womb. Figure out what motivates you. What you want from this life. And then take it."
"Adrian won't let me?—"
"Adrian will give you whatever you ask for if you ask correctly." Her voice is patient. Almost kind. "I heard he set up a workshop for you. That's progress. Build on it. Show him you're an asset, not a liability. A partner, not a prisoner."
"And if I don't want to be his partner?"
"Then you'll spend the rest of your life in this house, waiting for him to come home, wondering if he's dead. Apretty little trophy." She says it kindly, but the truth of it stings. "Is that the life you want?"
I think about yesterday. About Adrian leaving for his meeting. About me sitting alone, wondering when he'd come back.
About the constant fear that one day he won't.
"No," I whisper.
"Then decide what you do want. And fight for it." She stands. "You're not powerless, Seraphina. You're only powerless if you choose to be."
She walks away, leaving me alone in the garden with my tea and my thoughts.
And for the first time since this nightmare began, I wonder if she's right.
If maybe I don't have to be a victim.
If maybe there's a way to survive this life without losing myself entirely.
I just have to figure out what I want.
And then take it.
CHAPTER 23
Sera
I find Adrian in his study.
The mansion is quiet at this hour. Staff have mostly retired for the evening.
Adrian was working late, a rarity these days, and missed dinner.
That was fine since I needed the time to consider what Bianca had said to me.
Use what you have. His desire. His guilt. That's power.
I've changed into something simple—a silk nightgown under a matching robe. My hair is down. No makeup. I look like I'm ready for bed.
But I'm not going to bed.
Not yet.
Adrian sits behind his desk, still in his suit. His jacket is off, draped over his chair. Sleeves rolled to his elbows, and there’s a glass of scotch half touched by his hands.
