Page 12 of Merciless King

The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I force myself to believe them. Piper is a ghost from the past, a distraction I can't afford. And based on her reception of me today, she doesn’t want anything to do with me, anyway. I’m a fool to keep thinking about her and what could have been.

My future lies with Ava and securing the D'Amato legacy. I have to keep my focus on that, no matter how much my heart may yearn for something else.

5

PIPER

Iwake before the sun, as I do every morning, dreading the day ahead. The house is still, quiet, and I savor these fleeting moments of peace before the storm begins. Carefully, I slip out of bed, trying not to disturb Gabriel's slumbering form beside me.

I make my way to the kitchen, flicking on the lights and squinting as my eyes adjust. The kitchen shows no signs of Gabriel's volatile temper from the night before. I push down the familiar pang of anxiety and set to work preparing breakfast.

As I crack eggs into a bowl, my mind drifts to the unexpected encounter with Elio yesterday. Seeing him again after all these years stirred up a whirlwind of emotions I thought I had long buried. The anger, the hurt, the love—it all comes rushing back. I grip the edge of the counter as grief overwhelms me. Grief at what I could have had if Elio had fulfilled his promise to me.

Why did I have to run into him? My life was challenging enough without the contrast between Elio’s romantic, gentle ways and Gabriel’s mercurial moods. I remind myself that Elio changed his mind. He’d arranged to send me away. There was nothing romantic about that.

I take a deep breath and force myself to focus. I need to get breakfast ready before Gabriel and Elysse wake up. Displeasing him is not an option. As I whisk the eggs, I feel a familiar ache in my chest. My daughter deserves so much better than this life of walking on eggshells, never knowing when Gabriel’s temper will erupt.

But what choice do I have? I'm trapped, both by my own fears and the threats Gabriel has made. The thought of him hurting Elysse makes my stomach twist in knots. I can't risk it, no matter how much I long to break free.

With a heavy heart I live with daily, I continue my morning routine, preparing Gabriel's plate and keeping an ear out for any sign of movement upstairs. The day is just beginning, but I already feel exhausted.

I’m setting the plate on the table when I hear his heavy footsteps descending the stairs. Bracing myself, I turn around to face him.

"Good morning, darling," he says, his voice uncharacteristically soft. He crosses the room and presses a kiss to my cheek, causing me to flinch involuntarily.

"Gabriel," I reply cautiously, searching his face for any sign of the rage that consumed him last night. "Breakfast is ready."

"Wonderful.” He sits at the table. “Thank you, Piper."

I stand there, bewildered. It’s not that he’s never like this. When I met him, he was kind and calm. But four years of marriage have taught me not to trust it. This sudden change in demeanor unsettles me more than his previous outburst.

Elysse pads into the kitchen, her small face etched with trepidation. She glances warily at Gabriel, then looks at me. My heart aches at the fear in her eyes. This is no way for a child to live.

"Good morning, Ely," Gabriel says, flashing Elysse a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Come, sit and have your breakfast."

Elysse hesitates, then slowly moves to take her seat, never taking her eyes off him. I watch the exchange, my own unease growing by the second. What game is Gabriel playing at?

"Piper, why don't you join us?" Gabriel gestures to the empty chair beside him. "I'd like us to have a nice family breakfast together."

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. A nice family breakfast. That’s my assignment. I tense, knowing any small thing will cause me to fail in Gabriel’s eyes. Only he knows what a “nice family breakfast” means, and I can’t read his mind to know which tiny detail I’ll miss that will set him off.

I set Elysse’s breakfast in front of her. “I’ll need to make more. I only made enough for you and Elysse.”

Gabriel's expression darkens for the briefest of moments, and I brace myself for the explosion. But then it's gone, replaced by that unsettling veneer of calmness.

"Get your coffee and sit with us," he says, patting the chair.

Reluctantly, I pull out the chair and lower myself into it, my body tense and ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

As Gabriel reaches over to squeeze my hand, I fight the urge to recoil. The unease I feel is palpable. Whatever game Gabriel is playing, I know it can't be good.

I sit stiffly at the table. Elysse picks at her food.

Finally, Gabriel finishes his meal and stands, giving me a patronizing pat on the shoulder. "That was delicious, dear. Thank you." He turns to Elysse, his expression hardening slightly. "Be good today. I'll be back this evening."

With that, he strides out of the kitchen, leaving Elysse and me in an uneasy silence.

As soon as I hear the front door shut, Elysse turns to me. “He was nice today.”

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