Page 19 of Blood Heir

Brother Stefano sees it—he sees the way the tears flicker in my eyes, how my breath catches, how my body trembles with the weight of everything I don’t understand.

He steps closer, his hands moving to my shoulders in a gentle, fatherly gesture. His touch is warm, and there’s something in the way he pats me softly that makes me want to fall apart right there. He’s the only person who feels like he might understand, even if his answers are painful.

“There, there, my child,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. “I know it’s hard. But you’ll be alright. I’ll be here. And I will always be here for you.”

I don’t know how to respond. His words feel like a balm for wounds I didn’t know I had. But there’s also doubt—doubt that I can ever trust him fully, that I cannot trust anyone.

^^^^

The sun is starting to dip behind the walls of the villa, casting the garden in shades of orange and gold, but I don’t care. I’m still stuck here—trapped in a life I can’t remember, with aman I don’t even recognize. The garden feels like a prison, and I want out.

Brother Stefano is leaving, the soft, emotional goodbye hanging in the air. His hug is tight, reassuring, but his face gives away more than he intends. He knows what I don’t. The truth I can’t seem to reach.

I pull back from the embrace, trying to smile at him, just a small one. But the more I think about it, the more it feels like I’m pretending.

“I’ll come back soon,” Brother Stefano says, his voice soft, as though he’s afraid of what might happen in the time he’s away. “Be safe, child.”

I nod, but I’m not sure what to believe. He leaves with his peace, but I’m still left here, unsure.

I turn, and without a word, I face Serevin and Cassian, standing behind me. They’re both watching me, the air around us tense, heavy.

“I don’t want to be here,” I say, the words sharp and clear as I pull the wedding ring off my finger. The cool gold feels like an anchor pulling me down.

I walk toward Serevin and hand him the ring, my fingers cold as I place it in his palm.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks, his voice low but steady. I can see his eyes flicker to the ring, then back to my face, his expression unreadable.

I stand tall in front of him, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “I have this sinking feeling that my life was miserable with you here. Probably why I ended up in the hospital, wasn’t it?”

The words spill out, coated with resentment. I can feel the weight of them hanging in the air. His gaze shifts slightly, but he doesn’t deny it. That’s all I need. I laugh bitterly, letting the ring clatter onto the floor, the sound sharp, echoing off the stone.

“I’ll take care of myself somehow,” I mutter, almost to myself. “Whatever this hellhole is, you can keep it.” I turn and glance toward the gates, my feet already moving, ready to escape. “I hear my only living relative is dead. I have no one. I have no obligations. No burdens.”

Cassian opens his mouth, like he’s going to reason with me, but I hold up a hand, silencing him before he can speak.

“Shut it, handsome,” I snap, my tone dripping with sarcasm as I point at Serevin. “I’m speaking to him.”

Cassian looks taken aback, but I don’t care. His opinion doesn’t matter to me right now.

“What about your father’s estate?” Serevin’s voice is cold, calculating. “That belongs to you. Stefano told you, didn’t he? You married me to protect that.”

I turn back toward him, my smile a twisted thing that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Luckily, I don’t know, and I don’t care. And that’s a blessing,” I say, the words sharp as knives.

I turn again, this time with purpose, starting for the gate. My chest tightens, but I ignore the flutter of anxiety that claws at my insides.

And then I hear it.

A whistle.

I freeze, my body tensing, and Cassian’s eyes flick toward the guards. They start to move, walking toward me with thesilent precision of men who are trained to follow orders without question.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, my heart hammering. I don’t have time to think. I kick out, my feet landing with force against one of the guards’ knees.

They grab me, holding my arms with unrelenting strength, and I kick and struggle, but it’s no use. They’re stronger, and there are more of them. The guards drag me back to where Serevin and Cassian are standing, my feet scraping against the stone as I try to break free.

Serevin doesn’t move as they make me face him. He stands still, watching, like he’s already made up his mind.

One of the guards forces me to look up at Serevin, and I struggle against the grip, but it’s useless.

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