A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL
Chapter 7
I pushed off the blankets and made my way to the door, hesitating for only a second before pulling it
open.
Alessandro stood on the other side.
Unlike earlier, he was dressed down in a dark shirt and sweatpants, his usually pristine appearance softened by exhaustion. But his expression was as unreadable as ever, his sharp eyes scanning me as if assessing something.
“What?” My voice was rough from sleep, but I didn’t bother hiding my irritation.
His gaze flicked past me into the room before settling back on me. “I need you in my office tomorrow morning, to read the rules of the contract your father signed, He spoke.
“You woke me up for that?” I blinked my eyes, fully annoyed.
“Who are you
you talking to like that?“, He asked, his voice clipped, not quite a question but more of a demand. His eyes remained cold, distant, as though he were waiting for something a response, perhaps, or a reaction to his words.
I stood there for a moment, staring at him, the frustration in my chest bubbling up. The last thing I wanted was to be lectured on rules especially by him.
“Rules?” 1 echoed, raising an eyebrow, my tone laced with disbelief. “Do I look like someone who needs a list of rules to follow?”
Alessandro’s eyes flickered, just the slightest shift, but it was enough to make my stomach churn
with discomfort.
“I’m not here to coddle you, nor am I here to entertain your whims. You will follow them. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s an order.” His tone was firm, his words sharp as he leaned against the doorframe, his body language telling me he wasn’t going anywhere until this conversation was over.
The words sank in, heavier than they should have been. A tight knot formed in my stomach. Of course, there would be rules. There had to be. I just hadn’t been ready to face them yet.
“What kind of rules?” I asked, my voice quieter now, as if the weight of his words were starting to
settle into me.
“Meet me in my office tomorrow“, He retorted.
I swallowed hard. A wave of exhaustion sweeping over me. “Understood,” I muttered, my voice barely
audible.
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Chapter 7
Alessandro studied me for a moment longer, and for the first time, I thought I saw a flicker of something, something close to… frustration? But it was gone too quickly, leaving no trace,
“Good. Sleep,” he said, turning toward the door. “We’ll speak in the morning.”
Before I could respond, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
I stood there for a moment, my hand still resting on the handle, the weight of the rules, of this place, pressing in on me. This wasn’t just a contract. It was a prison. And somehow, I had to find a way to survive it.
I turned back toward the bed, the room still cloaked in darkness, my mind spinning with all the things I hadn’t been prepared for. Would I ever truly belong here? Or was I destined to live as a stranger in my own life?
My death of my sister was still a trauma to me. Sabrina’s absence was a constant ache, a hollow space inside me that nothing could fill. And now, I had to face another battle, Alessandro and whatever rules he planned to shove down my throat.
They are going to bring him food,
The knock at my door came earlier than expected. I barely had time to pull myself from the haze of restless sleep before it sounded again, sharp and impatient.
I forced myself up, the lingering weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. My body ached, not just from lack of sleep but from the sheer emotional toll of everything.
“Come in,” I called, my voice rough from exhaustion.
The door opened, and a man I didn’t recognize stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. He was dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression carefully blank.
‘Breakfast,” he announced, setting the tray on a small table near the window. The scent of eggs. toast, and freshly brewed coffee drifted toward me, but I barely had the appetite for it.
I glanced at the tray, then at him. “Did Alessandro send you?”
The man gave a slight nod. “Mr. Costello instructed that you eat before your meeting.”
I clenched my jaw. Of course, he did. He probably thought I was some fragile thing that needed to be managed.
Still, I had no energy to argue. I dragged myself out of bed, moving toward the tray, but before I could sit down, the man spoke again.
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Chapter 7
“Mr. Costello also said to remind you that you are expected in his office in thirty minutes.”
I let out a slow breath, rubbing my temples. “Yeah, I got that message loud and clear last night. Did he also instruct you to watch me eat?”
The man didn t flinch. “Mr. Costello expects you in his office in thirty minutes.” I scoffed when he repeated the same thing, emotionlessly.
“Right. Got it. I will be there I retorted. He gave a slight nod and left, closing the door behind him.
Alone again, I sat at the table, stared at the food but barely touching it. My stomach was too knotted, my nerves too frayed. Instead, I grabbed the coffee and took a few slow sips, hoping it would help me wake up.
The warmth of the coffee did little to chase away the cold feeling settling in my chest.
I had thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes before I had to face him again.
With a sigh, I pushed the plate away and stood up, heading toward the bathroom. If I had to face him, I wouldn’t do it half–asleep.
The hot water did little to ease the tension in my body, but it gave me a moment to collect myself.
To prepare.
Because whatever Alessandro had in store for me this morning, I had a feeling it was only the beginning.
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A FORCED CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE DEVIL
