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"Co hard for me"

She cries, ripping her ar But she seeet away froh for me to stroll after her leisurely

"This is your lesson," I tell her "You can never escapeover your shoulder, waiting to claim what's mine No matter how fast you run, no matter hoell you hide, you're o"

We've reached the edge of the forest now The tall pine trees have thick trunks here

I can see her hiding behind one, foolishly thinking she can escapeher to slip throughI don't see her, but the rab her wrist and pull her treainst , Marzia?" I whisper darkly against her lips "I told you I'o"

She lets out a whirip she can't possibly escape Hot tears of huives up in that second, her body sagging against mine

My strong hold on her tightens just so I can keep her upright If I didn't, she'd collapse on the ground before one out of her

She's meek now Obedient At least for now

14

Marzia

As Adrian brings o co physically, the pain in my mind will fade, too

I' who to trust and what to believe Adrian and the Bernardis are painting uys, but were my parents really the monsters Adrian believed them to be? They've kept me safe my entire life Yes, they limited what I could and could not do, but at least no one tried to kill me while I was still at our house, which is more than I can say for Adrian's place Bruno Bernardi still seeto keep him away from me

I don't say a word as Adrian dragsany that's happened over the past week My parents beingme here only to abandoninto my skin as Adrian carries me back to my bedroom When the first cry rips itself from my lips, even I' the sha me like an ice-cold chill But I can't resist it My body crumples as I start to sob

Adrian seems to realize I need some time alone He puts me in the bed and carefully brushes the hair off ers