the entryway, and the cold, distant corridors that seemed to stretch on forever. The sprawling estate

quick to avoid eye contact, gave her a wary but polite nod as she walked through the hallways. Every s

her attention as she passed by. The woman smiled at her softly, h

yet firm. She had an air of authority, despite her old age. "

guarded, but something in the woman's demeanor made

Mr. Leonardo is... a good man, despite what people might say.

Perhaps Rosa didn't know the true nature of Leonardo, or perhaps she simply couldn't see through the facade. Regar

id coldly, her voic

de through the house, I can show you. It's vast, and many r

now the house better-figure out the layout, the places

te that," she

ous sitting room where Leonardo often entertained guests, and the private study where the mafia boss spent much of his time. There was

uder. Amira's pulse quickened as she realized that they were nearing the dining room.

e difficult, I know," Rosa said softly, her eyes flickering toward the dining room doors

the way I do," she muttered under her brea

through the rest of the house. As they reached the en

y, more serious now. "But remember-your role here is important. He ne

ere, bound to this mansion and this cruel man who had claimed her.

, trying to keep her voice

thing like understanding in her eyes, befo

-

an, though it was far from complete. She wasn't stupid-Leonardo had built his empire on power, fear, and manipulation

er went still, thick with the tension that always followed his presen

eyes darkened with anger, and before she

ing her toward the door. "Come," he growled, his voice low and

fused to show weakness. She kept her face emotionless

she said throu

u should learn to respect me," he

rating through the cold silence of the mansion. Amira's hea

walls. He shoved her into the seat at the table, and for a moment, every

us. "I told you to eat," he said, his voice a

Amira's eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the food. It was rich, extrava

ood. She cared about how quickl