Prologue
Ayla
There usually comes a time when the darkness becomes too much and you succumb to it. You drown in it, suffocate until you are breathless.
The darkness never truly leaves you. It’s always there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
And just like that, the darkness never truly left me. It had been months since I ran away from the nightmare that was slowly killing me. I ran for my life. I ran for my freedom.
Until I had stumbled upon a man I thought would be worse than my nightmare.
Oh, little did I know…
He became my savior, and I was still basking in our blissful times.
Chapter 1
Maddie and I were walking back to my room after dinner when she suddenly stopped on the top stair. Stopping in my tracks, I looked at her sideways. “What’s wrong?”
Instead of answering, she called out, “Alessio.”
My head snapped in the opposite direction, and I saw Alessio’s back to us. He was walking toward his office. At the sound of Maddie’s voice, he turned around, his eyebrows furrowed in question.
“What is it?” he mumbled, approaching us.
Maddie dragged me up the last step and stopped in front of Alessio. “I was thinking of taking Ayla out shopping tomorrow. She’s been living with us for some time now and doesn’t have any clothes except for her maid dresses and the one outfit Mum got her on the first day.”
Shopping? Shocked, I stared at Maddie. She didn’t tell me anything about this.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alessio looking at me. I glanced up, and our eyes met. Licking my lips nervously, I played with the hem of my dress as his penetrating gaze sent a shiver down my body.
“Of course. You can take her,” Alessio said, keeping his blue eyes on me. “But why are you asking me?” he questioned, now looking at Maddie suspiciously.
Maddie rolled her eyes. Letting out a huff of annoyance, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. There’s a difference. I’m just letting you know so you don’t go batshit crazy and start panicking when you don’t see Ayla.”
I didn’t pay attention to Maddie’s words because my mind was still trying to register what Alessio said.
I was allowed to go out. Alessio was letting me go out. I stared at Alessio, speechless, my body trembling slightly.
I was never allowed to leave my father’s estate, not even a step outside of the gates. The furthest I had ever gone was to our back garden. I wasn’t allowed to roam free. Ever. All my days and nights were spent locked in my room or the piano room. I didn’t know much about the outside world.
But now, I could go see the world.
I could go shopping…something I never had a chance to do. Alberto was the one who chose all my clothing. I just had to wear what he gave me, a doll he liked to dress and own.
Alessio and Maddie were talking, but their voices sounded like they were coming from under water. I could only focus on Alessio’s face. He was slowly giving me things I had lost. Alessio was giving me back my life.
Freedom. I was finally truly free.
The one thing I had always wanted, hoped, and prayed for every night as I cried myself to sleep, my soul breaking. After every torturous night, that was what I dreamed of.
Alessio eyes were on me again. I saw his forehead crease in worry. “Ayla?”
I snapped out of my daze and then nodded my head. “Yeah?”
“Are you okay with going shopping tomorrow?” he asked softly.
I nodded again, but this time my lips stretched in a smile. “Yup.”
“Good.” He gave me a small smile, then turned around and walked away. Swiveling around, I grabbed Maddie’s hands, excitement coursing through my body until I vibrated with it.
“I can go shopping?” I asked, staring into her eyes, my heart feeling hopeful.
“Of course, babe. Why not? You desperately need clothes.” She laughed.
We resumed our walk to my bedroom. I was giddy, like a child getting a new toy for the first time. “When are we going?”
“Maybe after lunch? Tomorrow?” she suggested.
“That sounds good. I can’t wait,” I muttered, closing the door behind us.
Maddie jumped on the bed and took the remote in her hand. “So? What movie?”
I shrugged and joined her on the bed. Propping myself on the pillow, I looked at the TV as she searched for some movies. “I don’t know. Maybe something funny.” I paused and then looked at Maddie from the corner on my eyes. “And romantic?” I finished.
She laughed. “Gotcha, babe. The Notebook it is.”
“The Notebook?” I questioned as she started the movie.
“Get your tissues ready, Ayla. You’re going to love this.”
***
I woke up from a kiss behind my ear. The ticklish feeling brought me back from my deep slumber, and I let out a yawn. I moaned, stretching out as the sunlight shone brightly behind my closed eyes. I could feel its warmth bathing my face, and I smiled.