Chapter 4 The Mansion and the Hidden Truths

Amira had only glimpsed a portion of the mansion upon her arrival-the tall gates, the marble floors of the entryway, and the cold, distant corridors that seemed to stretch on forever. The sprawling estate felt more like a fortress than a home, with high walls and windows that seemed to keep the world out.

Today, though, her curiosity led her down paths she had yet to explore. The maids, usually silent and quick to avoid eye contact, gave her a wary but polite nod as she walked through the hallways. Every step she took echoed off the stone walls, making the mansion feel even more cavernous and intimidating.

One elderly woman, with silver hair tied neatly into a bun, caught her attention as she passed by. The woman smiled at her softly, her eyes reflecting a strange warmth amidst the cold of the mansion.

"You must be the new bride," the maid said, her voice gentle yet firm. She had an air of authority, despite her old age. "My name is Rosa. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Amira hesitated, her instincts telling her to stay guarded, but something in the woman's demeanor made her pause. "Rosa... Do you work for Mr. Vercetti?"

The maid nodded, her smile remaining fixed as she spoke. "Yes. Mr. Leonardo is... a good man, despite what people might say. He has his way, but he has a kind heart in there, deep down."

Amira's stomach twisted. She wanted to scoff, to call out the woman for her blind loyalty, but she held her tongue. Perhaps Rosa didn't know the true nature of Leonardo, or perhaps she simply couldn't see through the facade. Regardless, Amira wasn't going to waste her time asking about a man who had already made it clear how he would treat her.

"Thank you," she said coldly, her voice lacking any warmth.

Rosa nodded again, her smile unwavering. "If you need a guide through the house, I can show you. It's vast, and many rooms are meant for relaxation, if you ever need some peace."

Amira considered it for a moment. It might be good to know the house better-figure out the layout, the places where she might be able to escape or gather information.

"I'd appreciate that," she finally said.

The maid led her through the corridors, talking about rooms and the history of the house. She showed her the grand library, the luxurious sitting room where Leonardo often entertained guests, and the private study where the mafia boss spent much of his time. There was something off-putting about it all-the richness, the opulence-but none of it made her feel welcome. None of it made her feel at home.

As they moved through the grand hall, the sounds of laughter and conversation grew louder. Amira's pulse quickened as she realized that they were nearing the dining room. She didn't want to be near him. Not now. Not after what had happened the night before.

Rosa must have sensed the tension in Amira's posture, for she slowed her pace. "He can be difficult, I know," Rosa said softly, her eyes flickering toward the dining room doors. "But there's good in him. He just... carries the weight of the world on his shoulders."

Amira's heart clenched. "You don't know him the way I do," she muttered under her breath, though she wasn't sure if Rosa heard her.

The maid didn't respond. Instead, she simply led her through the rest of the house. As they reached the end of the corridor, Rosa stopped and turned to face her.

"I know you might be struggling," she said, her tone shifting slightly, more serious now. "But remember-your role here is important. He needs you. And one day, you'll see that this... this is your life now."

Amira's chest tightened. She didn't want to think about her life here, bound to this mansion and this cruel man who had claimed her. She didn't want to think about the fate she had been forced into.

"Thank you, Rosa," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But I'll be fine."

Rosa gave a small smile, a glimmer of something like understanding in her eyes, before she left Amira alone to explore further.

---

That night, as the hours ticked by, Amira sat alone in her room, her mind racing. She had already begun to hatch a plan, though it was far from complete. She wasn't stupid-Leonardo had built his empire on power, fear, and manipulation. He didn't care about her. But she would care about herself. She would get out of here, and she would bring him down.

As she sat in the silence, the door opened abruptly. The air around her went still, thick with the tension that always followed his presence. Leonardo stepped inside, his figure dark against the hallway light.

Without a word, he moved toward her. His eyes darkened with anger, and before she could react, he grabbed her wrist roughly.

His hands were like iron as he pulled her from her seat, dragging her toward the door. "Come," he growled, his voice low and angry. "You'll follow my commands, whether you like it or not."

Amira winced at the pressure on her wrist, but she refused to show weakness. She kept her face emotionless, even as her body protested the harshness of his grip.

"Let go of me," she said through gritted teeth.

The anger in his eyes flared. "You should learn to respect me," he spat, before dragging her further.

Down the hallway they went, the echo of their steps reverberating through the cold silence of the mansion. Amira's heart raced in her chest, but she knew better than to show fear.

He threw open the dining room doors with force, slamming them against the walls. He shoved her into the seat at the table, and for a moment, everything was quiet-except for the sound of Amira's pulse pounding in her ears.

Leonardo stood over her, his expression furious. "I told you to eat," he said, his voice a harsh command. "You'll obey me. No excuses."

The maids, silent as always, filed into the room and began to set the table. Amira's eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the food. It was rich, extravagant-everything a man like him would consider necessary to assert his power.

But she didn't care about the food. She cared about how quickly she could plan her next move.