Chapter 100 CAUGHT IN
ARYA’S POV
I had no idea how much time passed and I wasn’t sure I cared anymore. I knew Claire and Maria came, their gentle hands trying to coax me to eat but I couldn't respond.
Every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that moment where Giovanni's hands were on me and the way he looked at me like I was nothing.
I stopped feeling anything except the weight of my own body pressing against the cold stone.
"She hasn't moved in two days," Claire's voice echoed through the fog in my head. "Not even to use the bathroom. Ma’am Maria, this isn't normal. We need to call a doctor."
Maria sighed audibly. "And tell them what?" Her voice was strained with worry. "That the boss assaulted his prisoner and now she's catatonic? Mr. De Santis would never allow it."
Claire grumbled back an incoherent response.
"Arya, sweetheart." Maria's hand touched my shoulder. "Can you hear me? Please, just give us a sign that you're okay."
I wasn't okay but I couldn’t say that.
"We brought you food," Claire said, and I heard the rustle of a tray being set down nearby. “Your favorite.”
The smell of waffles hit me and my stomach churned violently, bile rising in my throat.
"Please," I whispered, the first word I spoke in days. "I need to go to my room."
Neither of them said anything and I was unsure they heard me.
"What?" Claire knelt beside me. "Arya, you can't go to your room. The boss ordered-
"Please." I forced my eyes open, meeting hers. "Please. Just for a moment. I need—" My voice broke. "Please."
Claire and Maria exchanged glances.
"We could get in serious trouble," Maria said softly.
"I know. I'm sorry. But please—" The nausea was getting worse. "Please."
Claire's jaw set with determination. "Help me get her up."
They pulled me to standing, and my legs immediately gave out. Maria caught me, supporting my weight.
"Madonna," she breathed. "You're nothing but bones."
She was right. I could feel how my clothes hung loose, and it was because I barely ate since Giovanni locked me down here.
I couldn’t even keep anything down if I tried.
With Claire on one side and Maria on the other, they half-carried me up the stairs. My body felt like it belonged to someone else, and each step was agonizing.
"If Enzo catches us, we might lose our jobs.” Claire whispered.
"He won't," Maria said firmly. "Everyone's in the east wing for that meeting. We just have to be quick."
We made it to my old room and Claire fumbled with the lock while Maria kept me upright.
"Hurry," Maria urged, glancing down the hallway.
The door opened, and they helped me inside. I immediately pulled away from them, stumbling toward the bed.
"Miss Arya, wait." Claire reached for me.
"I'm fine. I just need a moment." I fell to my knees beside the bed, searching frantically with my hands.
Where was it? Where did I drop it?
My fingers closed around the pregnancy test box, still hidden under the mattress where I left it weeks ago.
I sighed in relief.
"Let's get you cleaned up," Maria said, moving toward the bathroom. "You need a bath, fresh clothes and-"
"I can do it myself." I rushed out. clutching the box behind my back. "Please. I just- I need a minute alone."
Claire frowned. "Miss Arya, you can barely stand. Let us help—"
"No!" I was already backing toward the bathroom. "I can manage. Just give me a few minutes."
Before they could protest further, I slipped into the bathroom and locked the door.
My hands shook as I stared at the box. This was it. The moment that would change everything.
Or maybe it had already changed, and I just needed confirmation of how completely my life had fallen apart.
I unwrapped the test with trembling fingers, following the instructions I read dozens of times before. Then I set it on the edge of the sink and waited.
Three minutes. That's all it would take.
I sank to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. My mind raced with terrifying possibilities.
What if it's positive?
Giovanni hated me. What would he do if he found out I was carrying his child?
I checked my watch. Two minutes gone already.
My breathing came faster. The bathroom felt too small, the walls closing in.
One minute.
I pressed my hand over my mouth, trying to stay quiet. Claire and Maria were just outside. They couldn't hear me falling apart.
Time's up.
I forced myself to stand and look at the test sitting on the sink.
Two pink lines. Which meant it was positive.
The room tilted. I grabbed the sink to keep from falling, a sob catching in my throat.
I was pregnant with Giovanni's baby. The man who told me the world would be better off with me dead.
The sobs came then, I clamped both hands over my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but my whole body shook with the force of them.
What was I going to do? What the hell was I going to do?
"Arya?" Claire called from behind the door. "Are you okay in there?"
I could barely breathe, the tears still leaking from my eyes.
"Miss Arya, you need to come out now." It was urgent this time. "Enzo's coming. We need to get you back.”
No. God, no. I couldn't go back to that dungeon.
I grabbed the test, and chucked it into my pocket then I splashed cold water on my face.
When I opened the door, Claire was there, her face pale with worry.
"We have to go. Right now."
I looked around the empty room and frowned. "Where's Maria?"
"Distracting Enzo. Come on."
She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door. I could hear voices in the hallway.
"Why is this door unlocked?"
My heart stopped.
Claire and I froze in the doorway. If we moved now, we would run right into them.
"I…I must have forgotten to lock it earlier," Maria stammered. "My apologies."
Claire pulled me the opposite direction, down the servants' corridor. We moved as quickly as my weak legs would allow, her arm supporting most of my weight.
"Almost there," she whispered. "Just a little further.”
We were so close to getting back to the dungeon before anyone noticed.
Then a voice stopped us in our tracks.
"Where do you think you're going?"
I stiffened, every muscle in my body locking up.
I knew that voice. I would know it anywhere, in my nightmares and my dreams.
Claire's grip on my arm tightened. Neither of us turned around, but I could feel his presence behind
"I asked you a question." His footsteps approached. "Where. Are. You. Going?"
I forced myself to turn, to face Giovanni.