ek to decide, to accept this insane arrangement which looked more like a condemnation than a soluti

r secrets for years. Seeing him sitting on the bench, his warm gaze instantly turned to her, and she felt a thin thread of relief soothe her heart. Matte

smile lighting up his face. "You look a

py of Alessandro. It wasn't an irrational fear; she had felt for several days th

ched for words. "I'm in trouble, much big

assuring hand on her shoulder. "Talk

f his identity, and finally to this ultimatum that was hanging over his head. The words slipped past her l

. "You cannot accept such a proposal. You have nothing

week to think, and if I refuse, he threatens to... take everything. He told me that

ened. "And what exactly does he

s if it were a simple formality. He wants me to submit to this unio

bsently. Then he whispered, almost to himself, "Then don't g

will find me, Matteo. I know he's already watching me. In recent days, I have noticed unknown car

e had. "Listen, I can help you. If you're ready to give up everything, I know p

, where she would be forced to constantly look over her shoulder. She felt a pang of despair wash over her. "What

ke signing a pact with the devil. Alessandro will not let you escape once you are under

away, scanning the passers-by going about their business, oblivious to the drama play

her back to reality. "You have the right to dream, to live for you

d stop at nothing, and she didn't dare imagine how far he could go to get what he wanted. A shiver ran thro

e finally whispered, lost,

your decision by thinking about what you really want.

le. Tears threatened to fall, but she held them

yss. Matteo's words still echoed in her mind, but she couldn't help but doubt. Alessandro had given her a deadli

g, she kept turning around, dreading seeing a figure in the shadows, proof that her movements were

nd, but saw no one. Yet the feeling remained, dull, implacable. She hurried inside, but as she walke

, Sofia. Don'

he phone clutched to her. Alessandro reminded her that he would not

o convince her to run away. But she knew it was wasted effort. Alessandro already had her in his n

ld. The dilemma was cruel, and she felt that no outcome would really give her any respite. However, as she stared into the mirror, she made a decision. She was going to confront Alessandro

over her. She had chosen her path, and although each step was still m