Chapter 3: A Burden to Bear
Luca's eyes darkened, flicking between my face and the vase poised to strike. For an endless moment we froze, tension thrumming in the air.
Then slowly, he raised his hands in mocking surrender, his expression calculating. "Come now, is that any way to treat your dear brother?" His tone was light, but I sensed the fury simmering beneath it.
I kept the makeshift weapon aloft. "I will defend myself, whatever the cost," I said coldly.
Luca smirked. "Look at you, little flower. Thorns brandished so fiercely." He leaned in, tone dropping. "But you seem to forget, if I wished to take you, there is nothing you could do to stop me."
I thrust the vase at him in warning. "Do not underestimate me. Touch me again without my consent, and I will see you pay."
Amusement danced in Luca's eyes, though they remained hard as stone. "Such fire. I can see why Father is so taken with you." He inclined his head in mock respect. "My apologies for the...misunderstanding. I will leave you in peace."
With that he swept from the room, closing the door softly behind him. Only once alone again did I lower the vase, my hands shaking.
I had won this battle, but at what cost? Luca was not one to forget being defied. I had no doubt he would find a way to make me regret this night.
Weariness seeped into my bones. I prepared for bed mechanically, but sleep eluded me. I lay staring up at the darkened ceiling, the encounter with Luca replaying in my mind.
His smug entitlement had ignited an anger in me I didn't realize I possessed. I would not be some dutiful, complacent doll passed between members of this family. I was done humbly playing my role and hoping it earned their acceptance. If staying here required me to become their possession, I wanted no part of it.
But even as defiance rose within me, doubt followed close behind. Realistically, I had little power to resist their expectations. Open rebellion could destroy the tenuous place I had carved out here.
I thought of Amy waiting back home, no doubt wondering whatever became of her banished sister. If I pushed too hard and lost my place with the Bianchis, would my family pay the price? The thought flooded me with despair.
It seemed I faced an impossible choice. Acquiesce and become the meek, dutiful daughter they demanded? Or resist and bring disaster down on myself and my family?
Exhaustion eventually claimed me, though my sleep was troubled. I awoke unrefreshed to Isabella's usual brisk summons. My lessons that day passed in a weary haze.
I picked listlessly at dinner, feeling Luca's eyes bore into me across the table. He was all casual charm with the others, betraying no signs of our tense encounter. Only the subtle smirk he shot me when no one else was looking revealed his true thoughts.
Mercifully the evening ended without further incident. But the walls of my gilded cage seemed to press in closer than ever before.
Several days passed in similar fashion. I avoided Luca as much as possible, often pleading fatigue or studies to take dinner in my room. His continued scrutiny wore on me. I felt constantly on edge, dreading what new humiliation he might devise.
In contrast, the Don's manner toward me only grew warmer. He praised my progress in lessons and bestowed small gifts - a string of pearls, an antique volumes of poetry.
"You are a true daughter of this house now," he remarked approvingly one evening after I had impressed him by discussing Roman military history.
If only you knew the torment your true son is putting me through, I thought bitterly. But of course I kept silent, merely nodding demurely at the praise.
After dinner I escaped to the solitude of the gardens, wandering aimlessly among the hedges and marble fountains. Out here, alone beneath the stars, I could almost forget my troubles for a time.
I made my way to my favorite spot, a stone bench nestled amidst fragrant blooms. But as I rounded the corner, I realized with dread that the bench was already occupied.
Luca lounged upon it casually. He held a half-smoked cigarette in one hand and a full glass of wine in the other. He took a long drag as he spotted me, his mouth curling in a lazy smile.
"Ah, just who I was waiting for," he purred, beckoning me closer. "Come. Sit."
I hesitated, every instinct urging me to flee. But something about the commanding gleam in his eye compelled me forward. I perched stiffly on the far end of the bench.
Luca shook his head. "Come now, no need to be shy." With sudden force he grabbed my arm and yanked me directly beside him. I gasped, nearly tumbling into his lap.
He slid an arm around my shoulders, holding me pinned against him. I struggled, but his vicelike grip only tightened.
"Make a sound and you'll regret it," he whispered harshly in my ear. I forced myself to go still, skin crawling at his unwanted touch.
Luca smiled, the picture of leisure to any who might see us. "There now, little sister. Is this not pleasant?" His hand trailed slowly up and down my arm in mock affection. Revulsion roiled inside me.
"Why must you torment me so?" I demanded through gritted teeth. "Surely you could have your pick of willing women. I did not ask for this."
Luca snorted. "I do not pine for you, if that's your worry." He leaned closer, until I could smell the heady wine on his breath. "I simply will not be denied. And I find it...amusing to see you squirm."
Fury blazed through me. With a strength born of desperation, I shoved against his chest with all my might.
He grunted in surprise, grip loosening just enough for me to break free. I leapt to my feet, chest heaving, poised to flee or fight. Enough of being hunted like prey. If he wanted a confrontation, so be it.
But Luca only threw back his head and laughed. It was a chilling sound. He rose slowly, crushing the spent cigarette beneath one polished shoe.
"You have fire inside you. Admirable." His smile turned cruel. "But fire reveals most clearly what should be left unseen."
With that cryptic remark he swept past me into the shadows, leaving me shaken in his wake. I stood fixed in place long after he had gone, his ominous words echoing through my mind.
Over the next few days I noticed subtle changes around the estate. Servants who used to greet me warmly now averted their eyes and hurried past. Conversations ceased when I entered the room. The family themselves grew cool and distant.
Only Luca maintained his sly, knowing smiles. He continued finding excuses to be near me - little touches on my arm or back that made my skin crawl. All while the Don looked on benevolently, oblivious to his son's torment.
With each passing day, the distance between myself and the family I had so strived to join seemed to widen. I was baffled by the sudden cold suspicion in their eyes. What had brought about this marked change?
The answer came late one evening after yet another dinner where I had been all but ignored. I entered my bedroom to find an ornate note waiting on my pillow. I recognized the Don's elegant script immediately:
Dearest Daughter,
It grieves me that we must speak on a delicate matter. It seems not all has been truthful regarding your place here. Concerns have been brought to my attention which must be addressed. Please, grant me the favor of your company in my study this evening. The time has come for certain secrets to be unveiled.
A leaden sensation settled in my stomach as I read and re-read the cryptic message. What secrets did he mean? And what accusations had been made against me? Apprehension gnawed at my mind.
At the requested hour I descended to the Don's study, each footstep heavier than the last. Upon entering, I found him seated behind his massive desk, features grim. Luca lounged nearby, his expression unreadable.
I took the chair indicated with growing trepidation. Before I could utter a word, the Don spoke.
"I fear you have not been wholly honest with us, little flower." His tone was icy. "Concerns have reached my ears regarding your...intentions here."
"My intentions?" I repeated numbly.
The Don glared. "Indeed. That your motivations for joining this family have not been as pure or selfless as you claim."
I stared, dumbfounded by the accusation. "Whatever would make you think such a thing?"
At that, Luca smoothly rose to his feet. He strode to the Don's side, leaning down as if to share some secret. But his next words were clearly meant for me alone.
"Why deny it, sister? No need to hide your ambition anymore." His eyes drilled into mine. "We all know the real reason you wanted entry to this family. Tell us...how long have you secretly lusted after power?"