The front door creaked open, and she knew without even lifting her head from the pillow, that he was home. She lay still for a moment, heart already tightening in her chest, then forced herself out of bed. The cold floor bit into her bare feet as she padded toward the hallway, every step weighted with dread. Her uncle, Simone Rizzo, was already seated on the couch. He looked up as she entered the room, his smile tight, eyes unreadable. “You’re up, Alessia,” he said, voice smooth with a false warmth Alessia had grown to hate. “Couldn’t sleep,” She replied, brushing a hand through her tangled hair. “Welcome back.” He nodded, eyes dragging over her in a way that always made her skin crawl, like she was a damn prey. Not family. Not someone he’d raised. “I made dinner,” she said quickly, trying to fill the silence. “I’ll heat it up.” She turned toward the kitchen, but he called after her. “You look different lately,” he said. “Like you’re not a little girl anymore.” She froze, back
Last Updated : 2024-11-15 Read more