Anna pressed her face lightly against the car window, staring at the road as it stretched ahead. This was the first time she had left the mansion in weeks, and everything outside felt strange and distant.
Her eyes followed the passing streets, people crossing sidewalks and waiting at traffic lights. They seemed so free, so unaware of how lucky they were compared to her.
A tight ache settled in Anna’s chest. She wanted to cry out for help, for someone to see her and pull her out of this nightmare.
But she knew the truth. If she even tried, Vincenzo would kill her before she could finish. She didn’t want to die. Not yet. Not when she still longed to see her grandmother again.
The ride was tense and quiet. Vincenzo didn’t look at her once, his attention fixed to his phone. The soft tappin
