Chapter 67 THE TRUTH (2)

Chapter 67 THE TRUTH (2)
The maid continued, her voice cracking. "He abuses them… locks them up in the underground rooms. Then he sells them off… like things… like animals. Some of them never make it out. Some die before he even sells them"

Tears slipped down the maid’s cheeks uncontrollably.

Aurora sat beside her slowly, letting the girl take her time. But the maid shook her head, needing to speak, needing someone to finally hear the truth.

"My sister is there…" she whispered, her voice trembling violently.

"He took both of us. We were kidnapped from our village outside Milan. He kept us locked for weeks. But one day, I was taken upstairs to serve the family. And he told me… told me that if I ever mentioned anything… if I breathed a word of what happens underground…"

Her voice broke.

"He would kill her"

Aurora felt her stomach twist, her fists tightening.

The maid wiped her tears hard, trying to stay quiet so no one outside would hear.

"He… he abuses the girls himself. And when he gets tired of them… or when they start fighting… or crying too loudly… he punishes them. I hear them sometimes"

She squeezed her eyes shut. "At night. I hear them screaming"

Aurora fought to keep her composure, her heart cold and burning at the same time.

The maid continued, her voice barely audible now.

"He mustn’t know I told you this. Please. Please don’t let him know I said anything"

Her fingers dug into Aurora’s arm as she whispered urgently, "Run away from this family. Don’t marry into them. Antonio is evil. Evil"

Aurora swallowed, her voice steady. "What about Nicholas? Does he know?"

The maid shook her head vehemently. "No. I swear he doesn’t. He’s clueless. Antonio hides everything from him. He uses Nicholas as bait. Sets dates for him, plans events, even announced publicly that he’s searching for a wife for his son"

Aurora’s eyes widened. That explained everything. The public announcement, the forced arrangements… the perfect opportunity for innocent girls to walk willingly into the trap.

The maid continued, tears slipping down again.

"Many girls showed up… all believing they were special. Believing they could marry into a wealthy family. But it was a lie. A trap"

She sniffed hard. "He chooses the ones he wants and locks the rest"

Aurora felt a deep chill crawl beneath her skin.

She looked at the maid who is small, terrified and fragile and yet she had dared to speak the truth.

Aurora placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. "I’m going to help you. And your sister"

The maid’s eyes widened in shock and fear. "Please… please don’t promise what could get you killed"

Aurora leaned close, her voice a silent vow.
"I’m not running. I came here with a purpose. And now… I’m ending him"

Aurora’s words hung in the air.

The maid stared at her with wide, terrified eyes, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she looked as if she wanted to take the words back, as if she regretted even letting Aurora step into her room.

"Aurora…" she whispered shakily, voice trembling. "You don’t understand the kind of man he is"

Aurora held her gaze, unflinching. "I do. More than you think"

The maid shook her head quickly, wiping fresh tears with the back of her hand. "He will kill you. He kills people easily. Without regret. Without hesitation"

"I’m aware," Aurora murmured, "But I’m not afraid"

The maid swallowed hard. "I just… I don’t want anyone else to suffer. I don’t want you to end up like the others"

Aurora’s chest tightened. "I won’t"

The girl’s voice grew faint, barely more than a trembling breath. "My sister… she’s only sixteen"

Aurora closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself.

Sixteen.

A child.

A life stolen.

She opened her eyes again, sharper and colder. "Tell me everything. Every detail. I need to know how deep he’s buried himself"

The maid nodded weakly. "He has connections everywhere. The Police, local council and even businessmen. They all owe him favors, money or protection" She lowered her gaze. "He hides everything underground. The cameras don’t record what goes on there. And only Antonio has the keys. He doesn’t trust anyone else"

Aurora clenched her jaw.

Of course he didn’t.

The maid looked at her with a trembling desperation. "Please… when you leave here, don’t come back. Just run. You’re lucky you woke up in a bedroom. Many girls don’t wake up at all"

Aurora exhaled slowly. "I’m not leaving without getting those girls out. And I’m not leaving without ensuring Antonio pays for this"

"You’re going to die if you stay, i know what I'm saying"

Aurora’s eyes hardened, dark and determined.

"Not before he does"

The maid stared at her, stunned.

"I have to leave" Aurora said quietly.

The maid nodded, wiping her tears again. "Please… please be careful"

Aurora’s mind raced as she stepped back toward the door.

'Once I get to my room, Matteo will know everything'

Her fingers lingered on the handle. A mental note to explain everything details to him.

She pushed the door open.

Nicholas was there.

Standing perfectly still, framed by the dim light of the hallway. His face unreadable, every expression masked in shadow.

The maid froze beside her, a sharp, stifled gasp escaping her lips.

No words, no movement. Just the tense silence, heavy and suffocating.

Aurora’s heart thudded in her chest as the door hung between them.

OH GOD...