Page 73 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

The two of them leave, the door slamming shut behind them. I sink to the floor, the tears I’ve been holding back finally spilling over.

My cheek throbs where Vittorio has struck me, but the physical pain is nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

The door creaks open, and my heart sinks. Vittorio strides in for the second time, his face a mask of cold authority.

“You’re still not ready?” His sharp gaze sweeps over me.

“I want to see Elias,” I say, my voice trembling but firm.

Vittorio’s expression darkens. “That is not part of our arrangement, Aria. You’ll see him when I say so.”

I stand, my fists clenched at my sides. “He’s my son. I have the right to see him.”

“You forfeit your rights when you defy me,” Vittorio snaps, stepping closer. His towering presence makes the room feel suffocating. “You’ll do as you’re told, or you’ll regret it.”

My stomach twists, but I refuse to back down. “Please, just let me see him. Just for a moment—”

“No,” he interrupts, his tone final. “This conversation is over. Sit down and let the maids finish their work.”

He turns to the maids hovering near the corner. “Hurry up. We don’t have all day.”

Without another glance at me, Vittorio storms out, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he’s gone, I turn to the maids, desperation clawing at my chest. “Please,” I beg. “I need to see my son. Just tell me where he is.”

One of the younger maids looks away, clearly uncomfortable. The older maid, a stern woman with tightly tied hair, shakes her head.

“We don’t know, Miss Aria,” she says. “He’s been kept somewhere secure.”

My legs wobble, and I collapse onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands. “Please,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “He’s all I have left.”

The younger maid hesitates, glancing at her companion before speaking softly. “Miss Aria, I... I might know something.”

My head shoots up, hope igniting in my chest. “What? What do you know?”

The older maid shoots her a warning look. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Maira.”

Maira wrings her hands nervously. “I don’t know much,” she says quickly, her voice barely audible. “But I heard some of the guards talking. They said Elias is being kept in one of the private wings of the estate. Somewhere close to the west gardens.”

“The west gardens,” I repeat, clinging to the shred of information like a lifeline.

“But that’s all I know,” Maira adds, taking a step back. “I don’t know exactly where or how to get there.”

Tears well in my eyes again, but this time they aren’t entirely of despair. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“Don’t do anything reckless,” the older maid says sharply, crossing her arms. “You’ll only make things worse for yourself—and for your son.”

I nod, my mind racing with possibilities.

Maira steps closer, her voice a low whisper. “Miss Aria, if you want to protect Elias, you need to cooperate. Do what they say, at least for now.”

I hate how much sense she makes. Vittorio’s wrath will only worsen if I act impulsively. I can’t risk Elias’s safety.

Swallowing my pride, I nod again. “I’ll cooperate,” I say, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

“Good,” the older maid says, motioning for me to sit back down. “Now, let us finish getting you ready.”

The maids are relentless. Their hands work swiftly, dabbing at my tear-streaked face, brushing my hair back into perfect waves, and reapplying makeup over my swollen eyes.

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