*ADELINE*
The sun poured through the tall windows of my luxurious room, casting playful shadows across the ornate marble floor. I stretched like a cat, reveling in the warmth that kissed my skin. Today felt different—today I felt alive. I drifted into the kitchen, where the aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the air, inviting me closer. Being a captive in a mansion owned by a notorious mafia boss was the last thing I should be celebrating, yet I found an odd thrill in my new existence.
The grand chandelier hung over the center island, glimmering like a constellation, while I poured myself a steaming cup. In that moment, it was easy to forget the world outside these walls—my parents possibly tearing apart the city in search of me, the uncertainty of my fate—but blissfully, I was fre
