ged my burns and gave

never

threatening to starve herself. I

ply. I just

to the De

et; it was still. An

master bedroom. I needed to get out of

door w

reigned. Box

of the room, directing tw

ordered, pointing a manicured

old practice tutus.

you doing?

ca t

teo's crisp white shirts,

oftly, her eyes wide wit

Matteo t

the room, my heart beginning a

he guest wing," sh

. Completel

the front of

til they fix the guest rooms. He said you wouldn't

her smile

you two are di

towards the signed divorc

ally broke through the numb

ut," I

twist of her lips th

rra," she murmured, stepp

alliance. He stays wit

ifted over

just a pla

photo of Matteo and m

moment, then let h

attered with a deafening crack, ex

said, not

ors. I'm s

ged a

ng. Adrenaline

wipe that smug sm

bed he

ear-splitting shriek that

me!" she

en she

a

e top of the landing

n the edge of th

ed bac

. I saw the crystal facets of the chandelier abo

muscles twitching in a

own the hallway, his eyes locking

!" I sc

as too f

he firs

the s

gainst

nd color as I was thrown down the long, curving stair

stop at the bottom, a p

't feel

, a single tear escapin

his hands hovering over my broke

Oh God,

airs, Bianca started s

e kidnapper hi

eenacting

orn-the screaming woman ab

looked d

t in hi

esita

it was the final blow, the one that truly shattered my spine. T