Then, turning to the others, his voice hardened again, cold and commanding. The voice of the Bellandi heir who gave orders that no one in the household questioned.
"To the rest of you, cover the Signora's mouth and lock her in the bathroom. I don't want even the scent of mango near Celeste."
The house steward stood frozen, clearly overwhelmed, sweat forming along his brow.
But I didn't wait.
I pushed myself upright, my body swaying as dizziness washed over me. Leaning against the wall for support, I forced one step after another, dragging myself toward the bathroom. My thumb pressed against the pulse in my inner wrist. Still there. Still beating.
Still refusing to stop.
Each breath burned.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
I reached the door, stepped inside, and locked it behind me.
The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed faintly.
Outside, Dominic watched my retreating figure, his brows drawn tightly together.
For the first time in a long while, there was confusion in his eyes.
He truly didn't understand me anymore.
"Do you have to die again just to be satisfied?" he muttered under his breath.
"Is this another trick to get my attention?"
But I didn't answer.