Page 24 of His to Destroy

He says nothing for the rest of the drive.

The mansion takes my breath away.

Modern. Expansive. A castle above the world. Marble floors and velvet walls. A view of the skyline glittering like fallen stars.

He’s bought me a kingdom.

But it feels like a cage lined with gold.

I walk through in silence as Luca is carried to bed by one of the guards. My steps echo. My heart is too loud in my chest.

Gaspare walks me to the door of my room.

He says nothing until I reach the handle.

Then, softly:

“What I said earlier... I meant it. You were beautiful today. You looked like a perfect angel.”

I turn to him.

I don’t have the energy to argue.

I don’t have the courage to believe him, either.

“Goodnight, Gaspare,” I say calmly, with a slow exhale.

With that, I step inside my room, close the door and slide to the floor in silence.

After I hear him leave, I exhale again.

And for the first time in weeks, I let the tears fall.

Because I am married.

To a man I once hated.

To a man I don’t yet understand.

And somewhere, buried beneath the ache and anger and fear...

Something else stirs. Longing? Danger? Hope?

I don’t know if either of those will save me.

Or ruin me.

But it’s already here.

Chapter 7 – Gaspare

There are houses I’ve bought that never felt like anything more than a statement. Ornate walls, imported marble, sweeping staircases—symbols of power, not comfort. My home is one of those places. Gleaming, fortified, quiet. Every surface polished, every line clean. It’s exactly what it’s supposed to be: a fortress for a man who rules through fear.

But I never sleep there anymore.

Not since the wedding.

Not since I started spending my nights at her mansion.

---