silk, but comfort was nothing when my thoughts wouldn't stop racing. My nerves were on edge every time the h

metropolis of lights and darkness, loomed before me. Despite my situation, the constant bustle of the city, distant sirens, and the occasional automobile horn shoul

em out for one of my old t-shirts in a silent gesture of defiance. It smelled familiar, even though the cotton was stretched

ration against the nigh

abe

you

ck-in

y mouth. constantly worri

back. "Be careful.

immediately.

e away? That my capacity to be the ideal fiancée was suddenly a prerequisite for my father's freedom? That Marcus Russo was now

tell you every

d pushed back the covers. There was an a

cate. Breathin

with artwork and framed photos. Gilded sconces line the walls, casting a soft golden glow over carefully positioned

with my fingers. The silence made my skin shiver, even though

I he

ntense

wed the sound with each step. the w

asn't shut

the darkness. Future attorneys didn't listen in. We dealt with proof an

y curiosit

trolled as she stated, "... cannot r

o, So

something in his voice that I had never hear

stomach t

. She is compli

of our issue

ess like a knife. "You are aware of what is up

ova

t Marcus's tone carried a

uick exhale. "If

refuse

ce for

is una

enormous the game I had just been coerced into was. Furthermore, Marcus was more i

t kept the reality out of my view. However, I was aware that I had already gone too far. I

t, of my mother's injury all those years ago, and of my father interrup

t tell where my nightm

e door shock

e still twitchy. The door

ar

. His shoulders' rough cut and well-preserved appearance were accentuated by the

tructed. "We must ta

p

orming in a play for w

hem of my t-shirt down. He watched me with unflappable eyes, taking

you a fan of hig

at do not make me

ted to the side. The smells of bacon, eggs, and freshly toasted bread blended with the heavier

nitored me closely , as though he was attemptin

A staff person I had never seen before stepped stealthily, rearranging the cutlery befo

eat. He tra

round the heated coffee cup. I sipped, taking

ven as I said,

reclined in his chair. Elena, you will become my f

d was heavier than i

"You mean pla

nod. "With

cup. "What occu

ay his lips curled. "The alte

yes off of him first. "

g my request, he let o

in crawl from

d this was more than s

werful forces at wo

quarely in the

ore than si

as a

I was forc