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"His wordto me," I hiss

"But it iven that you'rethat matters to you"

I cower as he gets up and paces the rooo"

"And ould I do that, bambina?"

"Because we can never end up together," I tell hiht it every step of the way I'll never be yours willingly"

He laughs as if I've just told hi you stick to those proift?"

Guiltily, I re for one out of his way to make me hting back for ive ain especially not when it s

"I did, thank you," I finally reply, my tone stiff

"Did you do your hoirl?"

My lips forht every instinct inme whether I completed the two sketches and one canvas as per your request, I did" I shiver involuntarily, reot to paint Eleanora instead of the canvas I'd et me out of here just fail? Is it all my fault?

"Tell me where they are and I'll collect thelare "The doctor for your ankle is on the way I think you sprained it"

The fact that he hasn't brought up my unsuccessful escape worrieswhen et aith it that easily I point to the sketches and painting with shaky fingers

He opens the sketchbook and stares in wonder at the sketch of nature and the other of Eleanora I've created "These are good," he tells me, but his voice is cold "Now for the canvas" He places it in front ofit with a flourish He stares back at his own likeness with curiosity

My heart pounds with fear Despite everything, I still crave his approval His next words will ative

"You think I look like that?" he wonders

I narrow my eyes at him "Yes," I answer tentatively "You don't like it?"

"I" He seems at a loss for words "I didn't know I looked so"

I’ve never seen him so lost before "What?"