His Reluctant Obsession

the swinging doors creaked open, gently pulling her from sleep. She stirred, stretching her arms above her head before rising to

downstairs was adorned with an extravagant spread of breakfast-pancakes stacked high, bowls of fresh fruit, crisp bacon, and gle

f her heels against the marble floor commanded the atte

re gleamed, how each dish looked curated like art. It was a far cry from the quiet

uxury back at home but this was on a whole new leve

azing the back of the chair at the head of the table. "The

asked, stepping out of the kitchen, dropping two bottles – one of maple syrup and the oth

a seat at the head of the table. "And I

you for breakfast. He had some

attention and grandeur that seemed to follow her lik

her to live on her own terms. As long as she stayed out of trouble and followed the house rules, no one questioned her ch

poken rules wrapped around her like a velvet cage. Sometimes, she longed for the simple lock o

syrup drip lazily down the edges. She chewed slowly, her eyes fixed on nothin

gaze flicked toward the empty seat beside her. She wo

reminder. A faint crease formed between her brows as she stared at the empty seat across from her-a whisper of unease tightening in her chest. There was a tension here, subtle but constant

or some magazines, Ms. Moretti?" one o

bsentmindedly.

the breeze like dancers in a waltz. She wondered if she'd find comfort out there-among the petals, the silence, and the sun

rtip, the smooth fabric a reminder of how far she'd com

orld, beneath the crystal chandeliers and whisper

of magazines, her steps light and m

a polite nod, placing them carefully besid

nt smile in retu

s of the world she was now expected to be a part of. The headlines screamed names she was just beginning t

re pulling it closer, not out of interest, but

ft, wrapping itself around her again

page, her eyes darting around it's contents with profound interest. A name caught h

Silent Storm Revoluti

Angelo - in honor of he

t skippe

Instagram out of habit, scrolling aimlessly-until a familia

g up thousands of views, showed a massive

br

camp

fa

he heart of

t, and turned on the s

hion has landed - Elena Si

in, just to be sure it wasn't

grabbed her phone an

ent the line connected. "You won't

be

, baby!" Elena's laughter echoed through the dining hall as she paced around in pure jo

art you saw. Girll, you're all over Manhattan

Elena

he billboard beside Champs-Élysées? Your

TikTok. Video after video. Street shots. People

eart

" she whisper

This is actua

your birthday wish.