he warning in her voice,They're not men. They're monsters. I lay in the dark and stared at the ceiling

the night thinking about what I would say to Eleanor. How I would demand answers

esk, a cup of tea in her hand, reading something on a tablet

she said. "Yo

nt an

and gestured to the chai

e?" Eleanor sighed. It was the sigh of a woman who was tired of explaining things. "The Valtorres are one of the most powerful families in th

e," I said. "I want to kn

simply. "Or rather, they want the

g light fell across her face, softening her fe

h of the family. A ruthless man. A dangerous man. But he had something Richard needed,Money,Power Protection." She turned to face me.

her. "That

en. But Augustus wanted to secure their future. He wanted to ensure that his

ord tasted like poison. "You

e you were born. One that cannot be broken."She walked back to the desk an

st marry all three Valtorre heirs. The marriage must produce at least one child within two years. I

ords on paper. I did not want to make it real."Why can'

too good for them, she said. She would rather die than marr

. Eleanor's expression flickered. Just

as one. You were not groomed for this life. You were not pr

"You mean being sold

e Valtorres are not patient people. If we break the contract, they will des

ser to me. Her

ittle town. But if you do, your grandmother dies. The treatment stops. The mo

drain from my fac

done worse things for less. You h

n. But I could not move. I could not breathe. I was trapped. T

pered. "You want me

es

When the contract is fulf

ep you. If you do not... well. The Valtorre brothers are not known for their mercy.". The room

My voice was barely a whisper

is done," Eleanor said. "Consider

to see h

not po

won't

rrowed. "You don'

oor. I can refuse. And then you'll have nothing. No substitute bride. No allia

e. The air between us crackled with tension. I had called h

ill not leave. You will not contact anyone else. You will not tell her where you are or w

nds.I dialed Elara's number. It rang once,Twice,Three times,but nothing.I tried again,Nothing,I tried the hospital,

e treatment has already begun. But the phones... well.

monster,"

doing what's necessary to protect my fa

mansion and keep running until my legs gave out. But I did none of those things. I stoo

thers are expecting you. You will be dressed. You will be prepared.

ere are three of them. How ca

anor said. "The contract doesn't specify ho

t open for me. "You should rest.

the hallway. I walked past the cameras and the staff a

handle anyway. I pulled,I

d me. "Not until the wedding. And after that... well.

re you doing this? Why me? W

pposed to exist.". The words hit me like a physical blow. I staggered back against the door.

ver suppose

ent them a photograph. They know what their bride looks like. The

as the same cold

e turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor. I stood alone in

n Blackthorn Bay, the Valtorre brothers were waiting f