Skylar's POV
Ten days.
Ten fucking days trapped in this suffocating room, with no way out. No windows to escape through, no guards to bribe, not even a damn book to distract myself. The air felt heavier with each passing hour, the walls closing in, whispering my slow descent into madness. I had thought about ending it—more than once—but I pushed those thoughts away. My family would come for me. They had to.
The sound of keys jingling yanked me out of my thoughts. I sat up, eyes fixated on the door as the knob twisted.
The same maid. The one who barely looked at me. She stepped inside, placed a tray of food on the bed without a word, then turned on her heels and left, locking the door behind her.
I stared at the tray—expensive, well-prepared meals meant to keep me fed, but my appetite had died long ago. It didn't make sense. Why kidnap me just to keep me locked away, untouched? No demands, no threats—just isolation. It was a slow, silent torture.
If only I had stayed home that night.
I buried my face in my hands, regret sinking into my bones.
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
---
Outside the Ferrante Mansion
A woman stood in front of the grand estate, her eyes gleaming with familiarity.
Nicola.
She inhaled deeply, a slow smirk curling her lips. "Feels good to be back," she murmured before stepping inside.
The moment she entered, the maids bowed their heads in respect. She barely acknowledged them, her focus already set on one thing. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode through the lavish lobby, climbing the stairs with purpose.
Then, something caught her eye.
A maid.
Stepping out of that room—the one beside Lucien's.
Nicola's jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palm. She knew every inch of this house, every locked door, every secret Lucien tried to keep. Who the fuck was inside that room?
But she swallowed her rage. Not yet.
She turned away, heading straight for his study.
Pushing the door open without knocking, she stepped inside with a sultry smile. "Did you miss me?"
Lucien didn't look up immediately, his focus still on the paperwork before him. "Fancy seeing you here, Nicola."
She walked over to his desk, placing her hands on the arms of his chair as she leaned in. "I know you did," she whispered, her fingers tugging at his tie.
A smirk flickered across his lips. In one swift motion, he spun his chair around, pulling her onto his lap. She gasped, then let out a soft moan as his lips found her neck, his hands roaming. Her body arched against him, fingers working to unbuckle his belt, knowing exactly how to make him lose focus.
This was her moment.
"Who is she?" Nicola breathed, locking eyes with him.
Lucien stilled for a moment, then smirked, fingers toying with the knot of her dress. "An important guest," he murmured against her skin. "One that shouldn't be messed with."
Nicola's smile didn't falter, but inside, she burned.
She had her answer.
And whoever she was, Nicola would make sure that bitch didn't last long.