Page 36 of Velvet Chains

Where was Vincenzo? I looked around, searching for him throughout the venue hall. But he was nowhere to be seen. I sighed. Fine, I could do it on my own. But first, I needed some fresh air. I stepped out into the balcony, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the night’s events.

The fresh air was soothing, so I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. I started to feel better, calmer, until Don Antonio appeared with a sly smile.

“Bellissima,” he said, startling me from where I stood, taking my hand and kissing my engagement ring. The way he did it was different; it was like he was mocking me.

“You look stunning tonight,” he said, still holding my hand, “your wrist,” he said, assessing my hand, then he looked at me, “everything about you is so… delicate.”

The way he said the word delicate sent an instant chill down my spine. I tried to pull my hand away, but Don Antonio’s grip tightened around it painfully.

He started stepping forward, so I had no choice but to step back.

Before I knew it, I was cornered against the balcony. His intimidating presence made me feel trapped and vulnerable. I wanted to call for help but I knew that no one would hear me. I was leaning precariously against the railing, if he took one more step forward, I would fall. The way he looked at me made me so scared, I felt like he was going to push me.

Suddenly Vincenzo appeared, forcefully removing Don Antonio from me. He moved so fast that I could barely see him until he was in front of me.

“Don’t touch my fiancée,” he warned, his voice a low and dangerous growl.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Don Antonio retreated, a sinister smile on his lips and he waved, winking at me. “Enjoy the rest of your evening on this most wonderful celebration, his tone too mocking to be sincere.

Vincenzo immediately turned to me, his concern evident in his eyes.

“Are you alright?” He asked, hovering over me.

“I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up. I felt like he was ready to push me down the balcony.”

“What else did he do?” Vincenzo asked in a low tone.

I stretched my wrist so I could show him the bruises that were already forming on my wrist from how hard he held them.

“He held me so tight I thought he would never let go.”

Vincenzo was quiet for a while, seething. Then, he took a deep breath and finally spoke.

“We’re leaving,” he said, dragging me.

“Wait, what about the party?” I asked, looking at the people that we were passing by. I then told him briefly about what had happened with Mark, Sarah and Elia.

“I will make sure Elia takes care of Sarah and puts her up in another hotel for the night, if that is what she wants. But we have to go. Your safety comes first,” he said. My heart melted at those words.

We were back at Vincenzo’s estate now and the tension from the evening had begun to unravel. Vincenzo undressed me with a tenderness that I could barely make sense of, and guided me to a warm bath to soothe my frayed nerves. I felt taken care of as he tended to me, scrubbing my body softly with the loofah.

“I’ll kill him,” he whispered as his gaze settled on my bruised arm, “as soon as I win the elections, he’s dead.” It didn’t sound like a threat, it sounded like a promise.

It was then that I snapped back into reality. The election. This was all a façade, why did I think he actually cared about me? I suddenly felt overwhelmed by everything. The fantasy of our engagement suddenly crumbled and was replaced by the stark truth of our arrangement. I was overwhelmed by fear, and disappointment. I didn’t know when tears started to fall from my eyes, but I was crying.

Vincenzo looked up at me, confused and worried at the same time.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Please,” I whispered, “just stop pretending. Stop pretending you care about me like this.”

His grip tightened slightly, his brow furrowing. “What are you talking about? I do care about you.”

I shook my head, feeling the weight of the truth pressing down on my chest. “This—us—it’s not real, Vincenzo. You’re using me for your campaign. And I’m using you for my promotion. Everything we’ve done, every touch, every kiss… it’s not real.”

His jaw clenched, and for a second, I thought he might deny it. But then he sighed, looking away, his gaze falling to the ground. “You’re right.”

His words cut deeper than I expected, even though I had known the truth the whole time.

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