Chapter 10 Taste of Freedom

The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of Elena's room, casting golden streaks across the marble floor. A soft knock on the door pulled her from the restless thoughts that had plagued her night.

"Elena?" Alessia's voice was light, almost playful, as she stepped inside without waiting for permission.

Elena, still in her silk nightgown, turned from the window where she had been standing. "You're here early."

"Of course. We have an important mission today, getting you out of this dull mansion for a little fun," Alessia said, walking straight to the wardrobe and pulling the doors open. "Now, let's find something that screams stunning but casual."

Elena hesitated. "Are you sure about this? What if Valeria-"

"Leave Valeria to me." Alessia tossed a smirk over her shoulder. "I already told her I'd be taking you out for fresh air. She didn't look thrilled, but she trusts me."

Elena bit her lip, unsure. "And what if Lorenzo-"

"Lorenzo is not your father," Alessia cut in. "You don't need his permission to breathe."

Elena sighed, knowing Alessia was right, but years of being controlled made it difficult to shake off the fear.

Alessia pulled out a soft, off-shoulder ivory dress with delicate lace along the hem. "This. It's perfect."

Elena ran her fingers over the fabric, hesitant. It was beautiful, but more revealing than what she usually wore. "It's... a little much."

"Nonsense," Alessia scoffed. "Trust me, you'll look breathtaking."

Reluctantly, Elena allowed herself to be dressed. Alessia even took the liberty of styling her long curly hair, sweeping half of it up while leaving the rest to cascade in loose waves. When she finally stepped in front of the mirror, she barely recognized herself.

"Wow..."

"Told you." Alessia grinned, resting her chin on Elena's shoulder. "If Lorenzo weren't an insufferable asshole, he'd be worshiping the ground you walk on."

Elena laughed softly but then shook her head. "Lorenzo is..." She hesitated.

She didn't want to let Alessia on her little secret about being sold by her parents into the Russo family, in case Lorenzo found out and got mad at her.

She didn't want to risk him doing something bad to her.

The little Alessia knew, the better and easy for her to be kept safe.

Alessia's gaze sharpened. "He's what?"

"I don't like him," Elena admitted,looking away from her in order to calm her racing nerves and to also conceal the fact she had lied. "Something about him feels... off. I can't explain it, but I don't trust him." That was true.

Alessia leaned against the vanity, watching Elena's reflection with curiosity. "That's interesting. I thought you'd say something about how he's cruel or cold, but this... this is different."

Elena shrugged, playing with the edge of her dress. Silently thanking the heavens that Alessia didn't catch on with anything else. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid."

"Maybe." Alessia didn't look convinced but dropped the subject. Instead, she smirked and leaned in. "What about Dante?"

Elena blinked, caught off guard. "What about him?"

"Come on." Alessia nudged her. "I see the way you look at him. Or rather, the way you try not to look at him."

Elena scoffed. "I don't have any feelings for him, if that's what you're implying."

Alessia raised a brow. "But you don't hate him, either."

Elena sighed. "I don't know. He's... unpredictable. But I think-deep down-he might not be as bad as he wants people to believe."

Alessia grinned. "Aha. So you have been thinking about him."

"I have not!" Elena protested, cheeks warming.

"Right," Alessia teased, grabbing Elena's hand. "Come on, let's go before you change your mind."

The streets of New York buzzed with life. The air was thick with the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor, the honking of yellow cabs mixing with the chatter of pedestrians.

Elena's eyes widened as she took in the towering buildings, the endless movement of people, the sheer vastness of it all.

She had never been outside their family estate walls before.

Alessia watched her, amused. "You look like a kid seeing the world for the first time."

Elena turned to her. "It feels that way. It's so... different."

"Welcome to reality, sweetheart." Alessia looped her arm through Elena's. "Come on, we have shopping to do."

They strolled through high-end boutiques, Alessia insisting that Elena try on outfit after outfit. The changing room quickly became a battlefield of fabric-silk, lace, soft cotton, and bold colors that Elena would never have dared to wear before.

Alessia sat on the plush bench, her chin resting on her hand as Elena twirled in front of the mirror in a light blue dress. "Tell me something," Alessia said suddenly. "What was your life like before this? Before Lorenzo. Before all of... this."

Elena's smile faltered slightly as she smoothed down the dress. "Lonely."

Alessia's expression softened. "Tell me."

Elena turned back to the mirror, but she wasn't really looking at herself. "I spent most of my life locked away in my family's mansion. My parents didn't want me to be seen. I was... an inconvenience to them."

Alessia frowned. "Why?"

Elena shook her head. "I never knew. They never told me. They just resented me for existing." She let out a small laugh, but it lacked humor. "Victoria was the only one they adored. She was perfect in their eyes. And I... I was just there."

Alessia's jaw tightened. "I knew I didn't like her for a reason."

Elena turned to her quickly. "She's not all bad."

Alessia gave her a pointed look. "She's actively trying to ruin your life. That qualifies as bad in my book."

Elena bit her lip. "She is still my sister."

Alessia exhaled. "You're too forgiving."

"Maybe," Elena admitted.

Alessia stood, brushing imaginary dust off her jeans. "Enough about her. Let's go eat. You must be starving."

They stepped out of the boutique, arms filled with shopping bags, and walked toward a nearby café.

The afternoon air had cooled slightly as they strolled leisurely down the busy sidewalks. Elena felt lighter than she had in weeks. For the first time in a long time, she felt normal.

Until she noticed him.

A man.

He was leaning against a lamppost, pretending to be absorbed in his phone, but his gaze flickered toward them too often.

Elena stiffened. Alessia noticed immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"That man," Elena murmured. "He's been looking at us."

Alessia turned her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "I see him."

They continued walking, keeping their pace steady, but Elena's pulse had quickened. The city had felt so freeing just moments ago, but now it felt suffocating.

After a few blocks, the man was gone.

Elena exhaled shakily. "Maybe I imagined it."

Alessia was silent for a moment before giving her a reassuring smile. "Maybe."

But her eyes told a different story.

And when they reached the mansion, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that someone was still watching.

The problem now is, who could it be?