Isabella’s POV
The door slammed shut behind Alessio, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the stillness. My legs felt weak, my skin still tingling where his hands had been, and yet… I felt nothing but anger.
No, not just anger—something deeper. Something raw and ugly.
I hated him. I hated how easily he controlled me, how he unraveled me with a glance, a word, a touch. And I hated myself more for letting him.
Standing alone in his suite, the weight of everything pressed down on me. My chest felt tight, my eyes burning as I willed myself not to cry. Not here. Not now.
The bathroom door caught my eye, and before I knew it, I was moving toward it. My steps were unsteady, but I didn’t care. I needed something—anything—to feel like I was in control again.
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The water scalded my skin as i
