"I'm leaving to see a special friend who just returned from abroad. I'll be gone for a week, and as punishment, you're not allowed to leave this mansion until I return. Try, and you'll get more than just a split lip," Donovan sneered before grabbing an open bottle of wine and pouring it over my head. "Fuck you, Clara. You're such a pain in the ass."
He smashed the glass at my feet and stormed out, leaving me, as always—broken and bruised.
I collapsed in sobs, watching as the maids silently cleaned up the aftermath of the party. One of them cautiously approached, offering to help me, but I shook my head, refusing. A while later, as I stood trembling, that same maid came closer again.
"Madame Mancini," she began hesitantly, "with all the abuse you suffer from Don Mancini, why… why haven't you left him?"
I smiled through the pain, gently placing my hand over hers. "Because my foolish heart," I whispered, "despite everything, still loves him."