A young woman is sold into the household of a powerful mafia boss, where she unexpectedly becomes the one person willing to shield his young daughter from the dangers surrounding them. As she grows close to the child, her bond with the ruthless father deepens into something neither of them planned, forcing her to navigate loyalty, danger, and forbidden desire.
Everything inside me goes still. Ellie looks frightened, as though she's said something wrong. I bend over her bed. I'm here. She doesn't let's go. Over the next few days, I make sure her meals follow the allergy plan
and her emergency medication is always within reach. No one enters her room without knocking or touches her without asking. Slowly, she stops flitching whenever the door opens. One afternoon, we're fixing Lucy's sleeve when the door flies open. Ellie flinches. Victoria marches in with the nanny and two staff members. She holds up an empty jewelry
Well, Chloe, that didn't take long. Her gaze drops to Ellie. You've already taught her to steal. I move between Victoria and Ellie.
Try that sentence again, this time without accusing a six-year-old. Victoria shakes the empty box. My sapphire brooch. A blackwood heirloom. Gone. And your first instinct was to burst into a child's bedroom?
The nanny steps forward. They spend all day hiding up here. I've always said something wasn't right. You also thought grabbing her counted as child care.
Your judgment isn't exactly reassuring. Ellie grips the back of my dress. I didn't take it. I lower my voice.
I know. Victoria gestures at the staff. Search the room. They open drawers before I can stop them.
One empties Ellie's clothes onto the floor. Another pulls back the bedding. Ellie starts rocking on her heels. Stop, I say!
You're frightening her! The nanny reaches for Lucy. Ellie cries out. I take a step forward,
but the nanny has already pulled open the newly repaired seam, stuffing spills across the carpet. A blue stone flashes in her hand.