Chapter 1
Serena
The scent of cigar smoke and aged whiskey lingered in the air, curling into the dark corners of my uncle’s study. My fingers trembled as I rifled through the desk drawer, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Every second in this room was borrowed time. If he caught me here, I wouldn’t just be locked away until the wedding—he would make sure I never dared to disobey him again.
But I had no choice.
For ten years, I had lived under his roof, trapped in a house that was never my home. My parents’ deaths had left me vulnerable, but it wasn’t just grief that stole my future—it was him.
My uncle, Ettore Romano, had taken everything that should have been mine. My inheritance. My parents' house. He refused to let me go to college to study law, dismissing my dreams with a sneer.
"Your husband will provide for you. Why should I waste any more on your education?"
I had clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, but I hadn’t said another word. There was no point. He controlled everything—my education, my independence, every decision, every cent, every part of my life.
And now, he wanted to take the last thing I had left. My freedom.
"You will marry Vittorio in three weeks," he had announced last night, his voice heavy with finality. "It’s already arranged. He’s offering a generous bride price, and I won’t have you embarrassing this family with your nonsense."
Vittorio Esposito. A man twice my age with a reputation worse than my uncle’s. Cruel. Controlling. Deadly.
I had tried to argue, but my words had meant nothing. My aunt had barely looked up from her glass of wine, and my cousins had only smirked. To them, I wasn’t family. I was an inconvenience they couldn’t wait to be rid of.
"All your siblings were disappointments, Ettore," my uncle’s wife had sneered last night, swirling the wine in her glass. "One died and left us with this girl, and the other... well, you know how that one turned out. No respect for family or tradition—running off to write romance novels of all things."
She never missed a chance to remind me how unwanted I was. But last night, I hadn’t even cared—I’d been too desperate, too focused on escaping.
I yanked open another drawer near the floor of my uncle's desk, my pulse spiking as my fingers brushed against something soft. A thick envelope. I tore it open.
Cash.
I counted quickly, my breath shaky.
"Enough for two months, maybe more if I’m careful."
I swallowed hard, gripping the money tighter. This should get me away from this fucking place and these people. It would get me a roof over my head for a while—at least until I figured things out.
I stuffed the money into my satchel, my mind already racing through my escape plan. By dawn, I would be gone.
I tried to close the drawer, but it jammed. Shit. I didn’t have time for this. I yanked at whatever was blocking it, my fingers closing around something unexpected—a bundle of old letters.
My stomach twisted when I saw the name on the topmost envelope.
Serena Romano.
My name.
Frowning, I pulled them out. The ink was delicate, the handwriting unfamiliar. My hands trembled as I unfolded the letter.
My dearest Serena,
I have written to you before, but I don’t know if my letters have ever reached you. I tried calling so many times, but your uncle refuses to let me speak to you. I fear he has not told you the truth about me. I wanted you with me, but Ettore made it clear he would never allow it.
I do not know if you will ever read this, but if you do—please know that you were never forgotten. I would have come for you myself if I could. If you ever find yourself alone, afraid, or in need, Villa Rosa will always welcome you. My home will always be yours.
With all my love,
Carlotta
Carlotta Romano.
The name made my breath catch. My aunt—the woman my uncle had erased from our family history.
For years, I had believed Carlotta abandoned me, just like everyone else. But I had been wrong.
She had tried to reach me.
And Ettore had made sure she never could.
I gripped the letter tighter, my chest burning.
What else had he stolen from me?
The date on the letter made my stomach drop.
Ten years ago.
Around the time my parents had died.
A sudden crash outside made me freeze. Then—footsteps.
Shit.
"Where the hell is she?" My uncle’s voice was sharp, edged with frustration.
I had locked the door. I wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t just barge in without warning—not when he thought his study was sacred ground.
"Serena!" His voice was closer now, full of irritation rather than suspicion. "Come out. I need to speak with you."
My pulse hammered. He didn’t know. Not yet.
I shoved the letters and money into my satchel, my hands slick with sweat.
I had seconds.
I lunged for the window, pushing it open as quietly as possible. Cold night air hit my face as I swung my leg over the ledge, gripping the ivy-covered trellis. Below, my small suitcase was hidden behind the garden hedges—packed hours ago, because I knew tonight was my only chance.
"Serena!"
I didn’t wait.
With a final breath, I climbed down into the night, leaving behind the only life I had ever known—and stepping into the unknown, where freedom waited.
