THREE ANGLES

Chapter Ten| Softness

Luca looked at her, scanning her face. “Are you alright?” wiping her tears ..

She nodded mutely, still in shock.

Adrian’s voice dropped low, almost a whisper, “Next time, don’t wander.”

"i didn't i just come to the restroom and he followed me " matteo sighed "i swear that man will be punished how there he touch our girl" Zara tears seized immediately she heard that ...

she removed herself from Lucas's embrace.

The car ride home was silent—utterly silent.

Back at the mansion, once the doors closed behind them, the silence cracked.

“You acted like a child tonight,” Matteo said coldly.

“You could’ve ruined everything,” Adrian added, voice sharp but not cruel.

Zara bowed her head, cheeks burning.

Luca said nothing, just walked past.

Hours later, as she lay in her room, the door creaked open.

Matteo.

He walked in quietly sitting beside her , no anger left in his eyes. “You were brave,” he said. “But stupid.”

She looked at him, confused.

He placed a small glass of water on her table and, for the first time, brushed a hand gently against her hair.

“You’re not ready for this world,” he murmured. “But we’ll make sure you survive it.”

he gently kissed her forehead, held her face with different emotion in his eyes.

It was the first time she has seen Matteo like this, before zara could register all this, he left.

Zara lay still, more lost than ever.

____________________________________

A Smile Means Nothing

Morning sun spilled into the room through tall windows, casting golden slants across the marble floor. Zara sat at the edge of her bed, still in the silky nightgown the stylists had left her in the day before.

The party haunted her like a ghost—soft music, swirling lights, wandering hands. But more than anything, the moment the three men appeared and shielded her stayed carved in her memory. Why had they stepped in like that? Why had they looked… furious?

She’d expected a knock on the door. Maybe Adrian's usual teasing voice, or even Roberto bringing breakfast. But when the door creaked open, it was none of them.

Matteo.

He entered with a guarded expression, wearing a crisp black shirt that made his icy demeanor all the more sharp. No greetings. No reference to the party.

“You’re expected downstairs,” he said flatly. “Don’t keep us waiting.”

And then he turned and left.

Zara blinked. That was it?

No gentle words. No echo of the protective way he’d held her arm last night. It was like nothing had happened at all. That cold wall was back, taller than ever. Her stomach tightened, her confusion heavier than before.

By the time she entered the grand dining room, Adrian and Luca were already seated, both halfway into their breakfast. Matteo sat at the head, flipping through a newspaper.

None of them looked her way.

But then, Adrian flashed her a lopsided grin. “Look who finally graced us with her royal presence.”

Luca chuckled softly. “You’re late.”

She stood awkwardly until Matteo motioned to the empty seat beside him. “Sit.”

Breakfast passed with strange laughter and lightness. Adrian cracked jokes. Luca commented on a business partner who wore terrible shoes. Zara kept her head down, confused. They were talking with her—like she was a person. Like she belonged.

Even Matteo, despite his colder tone, asked her what she liked to eat. Her fork paused mid-air. “You care?”

“I need to know how much food to order,” he replied without emotion.

Still, something about the moment warmed a fragile part of her.

Later that day, she found herself exploring parts of the mansion on her own. Roberto had shown her around briefly before, but now the walls didn’t seem as foreign. She ran her fingers across the carved pillars, admired the gold-accented railings, and peered through vast windows that overlooked the ocean.

For a brief moment, she thought maybe—just maybe—this life wouldn’t be unbearable. Maybe she could learn how to exist within these walls, play along until she found a real chance to leave.

But that illusion shattered that night.

She woke with a dry throat, her body craving water. The hallway outside her room was dimly lit, silent. Her bare feet made soft sounds against the cool floor as she padded toward the kitchen. But near the study, she stopped.

Voices.

She heard them before she saw the sliver of light beneath the heavy door.

“…She’s adjusting quicker than I thought,” Luca’s voice, calm as always.

“She’s still a child,” Matteo muttered. “Curious, emotional. She’ll follow wherever we lead—especially if we pretend to care.”

Zara froze.

Adrian laughed, a low sound. “As long as she stays beautiful and obedient, she’s exactly what we paid for. A perfect little toy. We just have to keep her entertained.”

Her breath caught. Heart pounding. Her nails dug into the wooden panel beside her.

Toy?

“…we need her to stay docile. Any more stunts like last night, and we’ll have to remind her who owns her.”

Owned?

She backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound. When she reached her room, she shut the door quietly, her chest heaving.

They had smiled at her. Joked with her. Fed her.

And all along, she was just a thing.

Zara sat on the floor, hugging her knees. She didn’t cry. There were no tears left. Only a hollow kind of sadness that settled into her bones.

They didn’t save her at the party because they cared.

They saved their property.

Her.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror across the room. The girl staring back wasn’t shocked anymore. Just… quiet.

“I understand now,” she whispered to herself. “I’m nothing here. And that’s okay.”

Because knowing the truth meant she could stop hoping.

The Quiet Aftermath

The silence of the room was her only companion.

Zara sat at the edge of her bed, knees tucked to her chest, staring blankly at the far wall. The echo of their words still haunted her, seeping into her thoughts like poison.

“She’s just a thing.”

The phrase wasn’t new to her. She had been called worse. But hearing it from them—after everything—was like being thrown off a cliff just when she thought she was learning how to stand.

Her fingers clutched the fabric of her nightgown, knuckles pale. She wanted to cry, to scream, to feel something... but she was empty. Cold. Hollow.

“Don’t forget what this place is, Zara,” she whispered to herself. “You were brought here for a reason.”

Her chest tightened. A lump rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down. She had cried enough. Now was the time to survive—whatever that meant.

Eventually, her exhaustion took over, and she lay down slowly. The sheets felt too soft, too warm. She didn’t deserve comfort, not after realizing what she truly was in this place.

Her eyelids fluttered shut.

The nightmare came quickly.

She was running again—through the dark, shadowy streets. Screams echoed behind her, blood dripping from her hands. The faces of her siblings twisted in agony as they called her name. She reached out to save them, but a shadowy figure dragged her back, laughing, whispering, “You brought this on them.”

“NO!” she screamed, bolting upright in bed.

Her voice cracked in the darkness, chest heaving. Sweat soaked her skin. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was.

Footsteps thundered down the hallway.

The door burst open.

Luca entered first, gun already in hand, followed closely by Matteo and Adrian. All three froze when they saw her shaking, clutching the blanket, eyes wide and wild.

“Zara?” Adrian’s voice was the softest she had ever heard it.

She didn’t respond. She was still trapped in the nightmare’s grip.

Luca dropped the weapon and came closer. “It was a dream,” he said gently, kneeling beside her. “You’re safe.”

Matteo approached more cautiously standing at the end of her bed, his usual cold expression unreadable. But his eyes lingered on her face a moment longer than usual.

Adrian sat on the other side of the bed. “You screamed like someone was killing you,” he said, concern lacing his voice. “What happened?”

“I...” Zara blinked fast. “Nothing. It was just a dream.”

Matteo frowned. “It didn’t sound like nothing.”

She looked away, ashamed. “I said I’m fine.”

There was silence. The air felt heavy with what wasn’t said.

Luca placed a hand on her arm—gentle, firm. “You don’t have to tell us. Just... breathe.”

She nodded faintly, Adrian also joined them he kissed her shoulders gently to her arm making zara shiver ,luca chuckled.. leaving matteo smirking

luca slowly brought his hands to her waist rubbing it gently while adrian kiss,lick and suck her neck making zara moaning when she realized what she has just done she immediately put her hand to her mouth....

"Okay that's enough, let her sleep" zara couldn't couldn't look at any of them she was so embarrassed..

overwhelmed by everything, by the unexpected softness. It made her confusion worse. These were the same men who had scolded her, claimed ownership of her, and yet here they were—holding her like

Why?

Why did they come?

Why did they care?

Adrian reached for a glass of water on the nightstand and handed it to her. “Drink.”

She did. Her hands trembled as she brought it to her lips.

“You should sleep,” Matteo said, his voice lower than usual. “We’ll stay here until you do.”

Her heart stung at the tenderness in his tone. Why now? Why this side of them?

They didn’t wait for her answer. The three of them sat in quiet vigil—Luca still crouched beside her, Adrian reclining at the end of the bed, Matteo near the door like a watchful shad