Page 103 of Bound in Ruin

DANIELA

I trace my fingers over the embossed foil lettering on the front cover as I walk down the grand marble staircase of the Caruso estate. I’m heading back to my room from the library, lost in thought as I skim the title.

It really is ironic how much I devour romance novels when I don’t actually believe a single word written inside them.

Prince Charming? Yeah, right.

What a joke.

Even if some white knight on a horse actually existed in this dark, crooked world, where on earth would I even meet him? I’m practically a gilded prisoner in my father’s house—locked behind iron gates, surrounded by armed guards, restricted from going anywhere or mingling with anyone outside our family circle.

My only real saving grace, the one thread keeping me sane, is that I’m finally allowed to visit and see my sisters whenever I want.

I let out a soft, heavy sigh, stepping off the last stair just as the phone in my hand begins to vibrate, buzzing loudly against my palm.

Talk about the devil. I smile, stopping right there in the hallway as I swipe the screen to answer.

"Hi, Rosalia," I say, leaning against the wooden banister.

A chorus of laughter instantly bursts through the speaker—it's a group call with all four of my sisters.

I love them so much.

A genuine warmth blossoms in my chest at the sound of their voices.

"Oh, hey guys! What's up?"

Before Camilla can even get a word out, Rosalia interrupts, her voice breathless and practically buzzing with static excitement. "Guys, I don't have much time! I just called to share some good news. I'll do a longer call with you all later, but I'm still at the clinic with Dominic right now⁠—"

We all freeze, holding our breath in total silence.

"I'm pregnant!" Rosalia practically squeals into the receiver. "We just did the scan—I'm four months gone!"

High-pitched, chaotic squeals erupt from both ends of the line. I bounce on the balls of my feet, my heart exploding with happiness for her, while my sisters yell something completely incoherent in pure joy.

"I have to go! I'll call you guys back later, I love you!" Rosalia gasps out, and the line goes dead.

I pull the phone away from my ear, a wide, unstoppable grin plastered across my face. I start skipping down the hallway, a brand-new spring in my step, clutching my romance novel tight against my chest.

I am so ridiculously happy for my sisters. Looking back at everything they've been through, how they managed to overcome our father’s evil manipulation and actually find genuine, protective love despite all feels like an absolute miracle.

Will I ever experience something like that too? Or am I destined to just read about it in these books forever?

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the quiet corridor, stopping me dead in my tracks.

It's my father's voice, drifting out from the cracked door of his private office as I pass by.

I instantly slow my pace, my heart dropping into my stomach. My father is ruthlessly strict about his "no noise" rule near his wing of the house, and getting caught loitering outside his study is the last thing I need today.

"The arrangements are moving forward," my father's stern voice echoes from inside the room. "The terms of the alliance are acceptable, and the marriage contract is already drafted."

A deep, unfamiliar voice answers him—a low, smooth rumble that sends a sudden, icy shiver straight down my spine. "Good. Then make sure everything is prepared. I don't like waiting, Massimo."

My heart violently clutches in my chest, squeezing until I can barely breathe. The romance novel slips slightly in my numb fingers as terror washes over me.

No. Please, no.

I press a hand over my mouth, staring wide-eyed at the polished floorboards beneath my feet. My sisters got their miracles, but as I listen to the cold, businesslike transaction of my future happening on the other side of that door, a sickening dread settles deep in my gut.