Chapter 1 - The Marks on Her Wrist
Heavy footsteps echoed down the polished marble hallway, sending a shiver of terror straight down Elena Bennett’s spine.
She stood frozen in the doorway of the luxury private executive office, surrounded by rich dark wood paneling, massive floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large mahogany desk dominated by a colossal black leather armchair.
Elena pulled her hands together, her brunette hair neatly styled in a French braid under her white maid headband. Her classic black and white maid dress rustled softly as she trembled.
As the shadowy figure approached the office doorway, Elena reached up nervously to adjust her cuffs. Her left sleeve slid back three inches, exposing thick, dark purple bruises wrapped brutally around her delicate wrist like a violent chain.
Luca Moretti walked into the doorway. Standing well over six feet tall in a black tailored suit with a dark shirt and tie, he radiated an terrifying aura of power and absolute authority. His hands rested calmly in his pockets, but his sharp eyes caught the dark marks on her skin in an instant.
Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs. Panic seized her throat.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Moretti...” Elena whimpered in a panicked, breathless whisper, hastily pulling her sleeve down to cover the horrific bruises. “I hit a pantry shelf.”
Luca didn't speak. He simply stood at the threshold, his gaze shifting slowly from Elena’s trembling hands toward his massive black leather desk chair.
Sitting boldly in the center of that gigantic chair was three-year-old Mia Bennett.
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The little girl wore a bright yellow ruffle dress, pink sneakers kicking playfully against the leather, and a bright yellow bow resting in her blonde hair. In her tiny hand, she firmly gripped Luca’s heavy gold fountain pen, twirling it with childish delight.
👉 But before Luca could address the bruised maid, the toddler swung around in the chair and pointed the gold pen straight at him.
