Chapter 7

The house was quiet. Too quiet, if I was being honest.Each second of the clock's ticking on the wall became more audible, each creak in the floorboards beneath me more distinct. However, what unsettled me was not the quietness. It was the turbulent storm of feelings within me, a whirlwind of emotions I couldn't even comprehend.

Luca had abandoned me in the hallway, his words echoing in my ears, while his footsteps faded away in the corridor. “Remember where you belong, Emma.”

His voice's reverberation caused a chill down my spine. Those words carried a heavy burden, serving as a grim reflection of my role in our complicated relationship. The husband of mine. The one who causes me pain. The one who has captured me. He didn't simply possess me legally - he possessed my physical form, dictated my behaviour, and, even more disturbingly, he was starting to influence my thoughts in ways that were beyond my comprehension.

I remained in place, leaning against the chilly wall, breathing heavily after his intense kiss. It was harsh and powerful, and Lord help me, I despised myself for the way I had reacted. I should not have. I ought to have rejected him, hit him, shouted at him. Instead, once again my body had failed me, leaning into his dominant hug, my mouth opening to meet his.

For what reason?

What made me respond in that manner when my intention was simply to despise him? He epitomised all that was negative in my life, causing my suffering, shame, and downfall. However, as soon as he made contact with me, I experienced a sensation that I could not comprehend—a strange attraction that defied explanation. It wasn’t love. It wasn’t desire.It was a sinister presence, causing my skin to both crawl and tingle.

I balled up my fists, attempting to control my breath. I still sensed his touch on me, how his fingers gripped my waist, demonstrating his power, making it clear that I was merely a tool in his domain. No, definitely not a pawn. An item that is owned. I was that to him. Something to assert, to dominate. He was indifferent to my emotions, showing no concern for the shame and anger I was feeling. Luca only saw me as his spouse in title and physical form, a mere instrument for his own purposes.

The most troubling aspect of the situation, the part that caused me great inner turmoil, was the fact that I secretly desired that control deep within my subconscious.

What in the world is the matter with me?

I hit the wall with my fist, momentarily interrupting my racing thoughts due to the sharp pain. I no longer wanted to dwell on it. I didn't feel like exploring why my body reacted to Luca's touch in that way, why his rough kiss made me tremble with more than just anger. But it was impossible to ignore.

Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his presence close by, watching me with his sharp cold blue eyes that seemed to peer into my very soul. His intense stare made me feel exposed, like he could uncover all the hidden aspects of myself.

I loathed it. I couldn't stand him. However, my greatest dislike was towards myself for not being able to refuse him.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed away from the wall and made my way toward the spacious windows in the hallway. The garden outside was illuminated by the gentle light of the moon, with the evening air calm and silent. It was a striking difference from the turmoil within me. I pushed my hand onto the pane, feeling the chill of my fingertips against it, while gazing out into the dark, attempting to comprehend it all.

What am I meant to do next? Luca had explicitly stated that he had no intention of quitting. He would continue to push, continue to assert his dominance, and continue to remind me of my position in his world. Despite my strong desire to resist and fight back, I was aware that it was a futile struggle. He possessed an excess of power and dominance.

But I couldn’t just give in. I couldn't allow him to be victorious. I needed to find a way to regain a bit of power in my life, there must be something I could do. I was unsure of what it was, but I needed to locate it. I needed to figure out how to stay alive in this world while still staying true to myself.

I heard footsteps echoing in the hallway and looked to see one of the maids coming my way. Her head was lowered, she walked swiftly and anxiously towards me.

"Madam," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible, "your bath is ready."

I gave a silent nod. Taking a bath was one of the only things I anticipated in this residence. It was a moment of being alone, a short break from the suffocating environment always present around me. While walking behind the maid in the hallway, I couldn't help but reminisce about the party and how Luca had observed me with a detached and scheming look from across the room.

He constantly observed, eagerly anticipating the instant when I would falter. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. Not yet.

Upon entering my room, I found myself alone after the maid quickly left. Entering the bathroom, I was surrounded by the smell of lavender as steam floated from the big tub. I leisurely removed my clothes, thinking back on the events of the night as I enjoyed a soothing soak in the hot bath. The warmth surrounding me was comforting, yet it couldn't eliminate the stress knotted within me.

I reclined against the tub's rim, shutting my eyes as the water gently flowed. For a brief period, I gave myself permission to unwind, to release the constant alertness that came with residing in this house. Still, Luca's presence remained even in the calm. His words, his contact, the gaze he gave me today—everything was ingrained in my memory, unwilling to diminish.

I needed to figure out how to handle this situation, with him. I couldn't continue allowing him to affect me in this way. I couldn't continue allowing my body to deceive me. I needed to find a way to take back control and show him that he couldn't dominate me completely. But how?

I breathed out and raised my eyes, looking at the ceiling above. Finding the answer was a difficult task. I only knew that I had to find it before becoming completely engulfed in the complex game we were participating in.

I hesitantly got to my feet and took a towel when the water started to cool. After drying myself with a towel and wearing a robe, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was wet, my skin red from the warmth of the bath, and my eyes...

I saw a fire in my eyes that I had never witnessed before. It was barely perceptible, yet it was present. I did not lose. Not at this moment.

Luca believed he had emerged victorious, believed he had defeated me. However, his assumption was incorrect.

I was not damaged. I was yet on my feet. While I remained standing, there was still a possibility for me to resist and defend myself.

I fixed the belt on my robe and gave myself one last look in the mirror. The next day brought fresh chances with it. I would figure out a solution. One way or another, I would figure out a way to take back control.

Luca Moretti might believe he has control over me, but he will soon realize his mistake.