Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve


I felt like I was drowning.

Every time I woke up, the world around me twisted, blurred, and faded away before I could grasp it, struggling to think clearly. I couldn’t tell if it was day or night anymore. The only thing I knew for sure was that something was wrong.

Julia was always there when I opened my eyes, her presence suffocating. She would sit beside me with that same fake concern, her voice dripping with forced kindness.

“How are you feeling, Adrianna?” she asked, her tone soft, almost gentle.

I tried to focus on her, but the pounding in my head made it nearly impossible. My mouth was dry, my throat scratchy. Even speaking felt like a chore. “What… what’s happening to me?”

She smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead as if I were a child in need of comfort. “You’re just a little sick. You need to rest.”

Sick? No. This wasn’t sickness. This was something else.

I didn’t believe her.

Every time I tried to stay awake, to fight against the haze clouding my brain, she gave me more of those drinks. The bitter taste lingered on my tongue, burning its way down my throat before my body betrayed me, sinking back into darkness. I had no control. No way of knowing how long I had been like this.

But today, I fought harder.

I pretended to drink but didn’t swallow. The liquid sat in my mouth until she turned away, and I let it drip from the corner of my lips onto the bed. It was risky, but it was my only chance.

Julia left the room eventually, her heels clicking against the floor as she disappeared down the hall.

I waited.

When I was sure she was gone, I forced myself to move. My muscles protested, stiff and aching. My legs wobbled the moment I swung them over the edge of the bed, my vision swimming. But I gritted my teeth, gripping the sheets as I took slow, deep breaths.

I had to get out of here.

I pushed myself up, my feet touching the cold floor. My body swayed, and for a second, I thought I might collapse. But I held on, forcing myself to take a shaky step forward.

That was when the door creaked open.

I froze, my heart pounding.

Claire slipped inside, moving quickly toward me.

“Adrianna,” she whispered, her voice urgent. She reached for my arm, her grip firm but warm. “You have to listen to me. Julia……”

Before she could finish, the door swung open again.

Julia stood there, her arms crossed, eyes gleaming with something dark and triumphant.

“You just don’t know when to stop, do you, Claire?” Her voice was smooth, almost amused, as she stepped inside.

Claire’s fingers tightened around mine. “I won’t let you do this to her,” she said, standing her ground.

Julia let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Oh, Claire. If only Adrianna knew who you really are.”

Claire stiffened beside me.

A cold sensation spread through my chest. “What is she talking about?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

Claire didn’t answer right away.

Julia tilted her head, eyes sparkling with cruel amusement. “Go on, Claire. Tell her. Or should I?”

I frowned, trying to make sense of what was happening. My head still felt sluggish, but I could tell there was something Claire wasn’t saying.

I turned to her, my pulse quickening. “Claire?”

She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Julia smirked and said the words that shattered everything.

“She’s Alessandro’s daughter.”

The room spun.

I jerked my arm away from Claire. “What?”

Claire shook her head quickly. “Adrianna, please. I was never part of his plans! I swear to you, I didn’t—”

“But you knew, didn’t you?” Julia cut in, stepping closer. “You knew who your father was. You knew what he had done. And yet, you stood by Adrianna’s side, pretending to be her friend. What was your goal? Gain her trust, then stab her in the back like your father?”

I could barely breathe.

The betrayal sliced through me like a knife, leaving a hollow ache in its wake.

Claire reached for me again. “Please, you have to believe me! I would never hurt you.”

I stepped back, my stomach twisting. “I trusted you.”

“I didn’t lie to you!” she pleaded, her voice desperate. “Yes, Alessandro is my father, but I am nothing like him!”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice cracked, the weight of her silence pressing down on me.

Claire hesitated, and in that moment, I knew.

She had known all along.

Julia let out another laugh, her smile smug. “See? Even now, she’s keeping secrets from you.”

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Get out, Claire.”

Her eyes widened. “Adrianna, don’t do this.”

“I said get out!” My voice rose, shaking with anger and pain.

She stood there for a moment, her face filled with something that looked like regret. Then, slowly, she turned and walked out.

The door clicked shut.

Silence stretched between me and Julia.

She let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, that was emotional.”

I turned to face her, rage bubbling beneath my skin. “You did this.”

She simply smiled. “I only told the truth.”

I wanted to scream, to fight back, but my body was still too weak.

Claire was gone.

And I was still trapped.

But one thing had changed.

I wasn’t going to let Julia win.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my breaths uneven. My mind replayed every moment I had shared with Claire—the laughter, the whispered secrets, the nights she had stood by my side when everything else felt like it was falling apart.

Was it all a lie?

I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to push the thoughts away. Julia wanted this. She wanted me to feel alone, to doubt everything.

No.

I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

Lifting my gaze, I forced myself to meet Julia’s eyes. “You think you’ve won?” My voice was quieter now, steadier.

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second.

I saw it.

Good.

I wasn’t broken. Not yet.

I forced myself to stand again, the dizziness less intense this time. “You don’t control me,” I said, taking a slow step forward.

Julia tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “We’ll see.”

Then she turned and left, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room.

I exhaled shakily, my hands trembling.

Claire was gone.

Julia had tightened her grip.

But I still had myself.

And as long as I could still fight, I wasn’t done yet.