Page 17 of Devoted to the Enemy

I didn't even have the energy to pull myself off the floor. I laid there in the silence, racking my brain for an idea, some way of getting out of the mess I was in. I had barely slept in days or weeks. I didn’t know, and I wasn't even sure that I was thinking clearly.

It wasn’t long before the clanking sound of the lock drew my attention and I sat up, scrambling away from the door toward the foot of the bed. When the door opened, an older French lady walked inside.

She was dressed in a maid’s uniform and her hair was pulled into a tidy bun. “Bonjour, mademoiselle. I'm here to assist you in your bath.”

I suddenly felt shy, remembering my nakedness, and I struggled to wrap my arms around myself enough to shield my body from her view. “I don't need help bathing. I can do it myself.”

“Oui,I'm sure you canmademoiselle,butMonsieurRomano insists upon it. He gave very strict, detailed instructions. Now let's not dilly dally. Up you go.”

She struggled to help me off the floor while carrying a large tote bag that I hadn't noticed until then and led me to the en suite bathroom.

She helped me to sit on the edge of the bathtub while she ran the water and poured fragrant oils into the warm bath. Once the tub was filled she helped to lower me into the warm water that caressed my aching muscles and joints. She topped off the water with a few scattered rose petals before hurriedly grabbing a sponge and dunking it into the water, scrubbing my arms, shoulders, and back. As she began to work her way over to my chest, I grabbed her arm gently.

“I can do the rest. Thank you.” I took the sponge from her and began bathing myself while she busied herself washing my hair.

When she was done she took the sponge from me and packed up her bag again. I will let you have a little time to soak, it should help ease your sore muscles. And while you soak I'll make sure that someone is bringing your dinner.

"Grazie," I said sincerely.

Once she left, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to forget where I was for just a moment. I pictured Teo, searching, unable to find me.And what if he finds me after the wedding? Would he see me as ruined?I was no virgin but the idea of me being with someone like Andrea Romano made me shutter. If I married him—if we went through with the wedding night, nothing would ever be the same. I would be ruined, if not in Teo's eyes, in my own.

Maybe it was exhaustion or my body's way of giving in, but I soon dozed off to sleep. A few minutes later, I woke with a start as I slipped under the water and jolted upright, choking and gasping for air.

Then the thought crossed my mind.It would be so easy for me to slip under the water and just let go. There would be no more beatings, no more restraints, no more Andrea. I would be free from this horrible existence that he was forcing me into.

I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath as tears silently streamed down my cheeks. It would be so easy. I blew out my breath slowly and let myself slip beneath the surface of the water.

Within just a few moments my lungs began to scream for air, burning and aching and I popped up out of the water, sucking in a desperate rush of air. I quickly unplugged the drain as if it was the water’s fault. I couldn't believe what I had considered.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to end my life no matter how miserable the circumstances seemed. Death was too final. As long as I was alive, there was hope.

Mia

The thought of whatI'd almost done lingered in my mind the rest of the night and even though I was starving from the miniscule amount of food Andrea had given me for the past couple of weeks, I was hardly able to do more than pick on my food. I reminded myself that I needed to keep up my strength for whatever was to come, and by the end of the night, I had managed to clear my plate.

I needed a plan, a way to escape but more than that, I needed hope. I still had no way of knowing whether or not Teo was alive. At the very least, I had my own family I was certain would eventually come looking for me. That didn't mean that they would arrive before I had to marry Andrea. I had to come to terms with the fact that there was a very real possibility that I would have to marry him and even worse share a night with him.

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