Chapter 11 The Gilded Cage
I followed Enzo out of the office, my signature still burning on that contract like a brand on my soul.
"Hey," Enzo said, glancing back at me as we walked down the endless hallway. "I know that was heavy back there, but-"
"Heavy?" I cut him off "He threatened my sister. Forced me to sign away my entire life and you think heavy covers it?"
Enzo's playful expression faltered. "Look, I get it. Gio can be... intense. But he's not going to actually hurt her if you-"
"If I what? Obey like a good little prisoner?" I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing off the marble walls. "Don't patronize me, Enzo."
He stopped walking, turning to face me fully. For once, the easy smile was completely gone. "You're right. Maybe he was wrong about dragging your sister into but in this world, there are no heroes, Arya. Only survivors."
His voice dropped. "And right now, signing that contract is what keeps you and your sister alive."
I wanted to scream and to claw at the walls until my fingers bled. Instead, I wrapped my arms around myself and kept walking.
The hallway stretched endlessly, lit by golden sconces that glowed against marble walls. My footsteps echoed too loudly in this dead-quiet house.
We finally stopped before a tall wooden door. Enzo pulled out a key, hesitated, then unlocked it.
"This is your room," he said quietly, pushing the door open.
I stepped inside and froze. Cream walls witj velvet drapes the color of champagne greeted me first.
I marveled at the chandelier dripping crystals like frozen raindrops and the king-sized bed sitting in the center.
It was beautiful, perhaps more outstanding than my room back home but it was nothing more than another gilded cage.
Enzo gestured toward the wall near the dresser. "There's a red button there. If you need anything, just press it. Someone will come."
I wasn't listening. My eyes had found the window, and I crossed to it like a moth to flame.
Beyond the glass, the night stretched endlessly. It was a sea of trees, and freedom so close I could almost taste it.
But his voice echoed in my head. “Monsters don’t lie.”
I backed away from the window, trembling. Every rule I’d signed played through my mind like a curse.
"Arya." Enzo's voice was closer now, concerned. "Did you hear me? The button-"
"I heard you." I pressed my palm against the cool pane, my reflection staring back at me. "A button to summon my jailers. How thoughtful."
"They're not-“ He stopped himself, running a hand through his hair. "Listen, I know you're angry. You have every right to be. But Giovanni... he's not going to change his mind. The sooner you accept that-"
"Accept it?" I turned to face him, and whatever he saw in my expression made him take a step back. "You want me to accept being kidnapped and threatened?”
"I want you to survive," he said quietly. "That's all any of us can do in this life."
The silence stretched between us, heavy with words neither of us could say.
Finally, Enzo sighed. "Dinner's in an hour. Giovanni expects you downstairs."
"Of course he does." My voice was hollow. "Does he always expect?"
"Always." Enzo moved toward the door, then paused. "And Arya? Don't make him remind you why you're here. Trust me on that."
The words sliced deeper than I wanted to admit. He left, the door closing behind him with a quiet click and I stared at the door for a long time.
Then I sank onto the edge of the bed, running my fingers across the soft sheets. My skin crawled with the realization that nothing here was comfort. It was either control or worse.
The silence of the room pressed against me, I needed to breathe so I pushed myself up and walked toward the bathroom.
The door opened into a space that looked like something out of a dream. The floors were made out of marble and there were soft golden lights, with steam curling faintly in the air from a running bath.
It was already prepared.
The faint scent of lavender and jasmine lingered and neatly folded towel sat by the edge of the tub. On the counter, there were shampoo, lotion, and oils carefully arranged as if someone had studied my preferences.
As if he'd planned it all.
My jaw tightened. Nothing in this house was coincidence.
I ran a hand over the smooth porcelain, and my reflection stared back from the mirror. My eyes were red and my face was pale, exhaustion carved deep into every feature.
I looked like a ghost of the girl I used to be.
With a quiet exhale, I undressed and sank slowly into the water. The heat enveloped me, easing the tension from my shoulders, my muscles sighing against the warmth.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself breathe.
The water lapped softly against my skin. My thoughts wandered where I didn't want them to go.
The smell of my sister's hair when she hugged me. Her laughter echoing down the hallway. The sound of her calling my name.
My chest tightened painfully. I gripped the edge of the tub, trying to ground myself.
He was using her as a weapon, somehow knowing that she was my weakness.
And I'd signed myself into his game to keep her safe.
Tears burned behind my eyes, begging to fall, but I refused. I'd already given him too much. He could have my signature, my silence, my presence in this cage, but not my tears.
I took a deep breath, letting the warmth soak into my bones. The water calmed my body, but inside, something darker and stronger began to stir.
If Giovanni thought he could break me, he was wrong.
I wasn't his to tame. I would just keep playing his game until I learned how to destroy it from the inside.
I leaned back in the tub, eyes fixed on the ceiling, whispering under my breath.
“You wanted obedience, Giovanni? Watch me give you something far more dangerous."
The water rippled around me, reflecting the glint in my eyes.
I wasn't done fighting. This was just the beginning.
After what felt like forever, I stepped out of the bathroom, steam clinging to my skin as I wrapped the towel tightly around myself. Water still dripped from the ends of my hair.
I made my way toward the closet, half-expecting it to be empty. But when I opened the door, my breath caught.
Rows of clothes lined the space, fabrics in shades that somehow matched my skin tone perfectly. Dresses, nightwear, even slippers. All my size.
Someone had done their homework.
My fingers brushed over the fabrics, tracing the edges. Every piece was luxurious, but it was another quiet reminder that Giovanni planned everything down to the smallest detail.
I reached for something simple, a soft gray sweater and black joggers. They looked out of place among the expensive silks and delicate fabrics, but they felt more like me.
The material was warm and comfortable against my skin as I slipped into them.
My gaze wandered back to the window. Outside, the night sky stretched endlessly, mocking me with its freedom.
Somewhere out there, my sister was breathing, because I'd given in.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, brushing my damp hair back and staring at nothing for a long time.
Every inch of this room felt like a performance. One I hadn't agreed to act in. But I would learn my lines and I would play my part.
And when the moment came, I would burn this entire stage to the ground.