Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
If any of us knew this was how the meeting was going to turn out, we would’ve left Rosie at home.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” I tell her as I rub my hand up and down her back.
“The poor woman,” Rosie whimpers. She’s such a caring person, her heart must be breaking for Yuki.
“You have to make a decision,” Adriano says, his features tense. “As fucked up as it is. Let’s just get this over with so we can get Rosie out of here.”
He’s right.
Letting go of Rosie, I nudge her toward Adriano. “Stay out here with her. I don’t want her in the suite.”
As I walk back to the suite, I take deep breaths while my mind races for a solution to this shit show.
If I decline Tanaka’s offer, there’s a good chance the meeting will end in bloodshed. If I accept, it means Yuki will be forced to marry me, which is probably the last thing she wants.
When I enter the suite, all eyes turn to me. Except for Yuki’s as she stands with her head bowed while clinging to my jacket to keep it wrapped around her body.
If I decline, Yuki will be forced to marry another man.
As I stare at the woman I beat until she was covered in bruises, I can’t bring myself to say no.
If I marry her, it will give me the chance to repent for the unforgivable sin I’ve committed against her.
For the first time since our paths crossed, I take a good look at Yuki Tanaka. Her black hair has been cut into a cute style with face-framing layers. Her skin is pale, and her features are petite and feminine.
I could swear she was taller the last time I saw her.
I walk closer to her, and when I’m a couple of steps away from her, she cringes back, her eyes darting up to meet mine.
Tanaka snaps angrily at her, and she quickly lowers her head.
“Stop fucking snapping at her,” I growl at Tanaka. Turning my attention back to Yuki, I order, “Look at me.”
When she lifts her eyes to mine again, she swallows hard, and I notice the trembling in her body growing.
The longer I stare into her brown irises that are drowning in fear, the more I feel pity for this woman.
She’s beautiful, and I know she’s strong. It wouldn’t be a chore on my part to marry her, and it would give me a chance to make things right with Yuki.
“Augusto,” Christiano says, his tone tense. “What is your decision?”
Chapter 9
Yuki
My heart is thundering against my ribs, and every muscle in my body is wound so tightly, I’m a trembling mess.
Over the past three months, I’ve been forced to endure pain unlike anything I’ve felt before. Having my teeth fixed. The hunger cramps.
But what’s hurt the most is the shame and dishonor. Especially today.
As I stare into Mr. Vitale’s eyes while everyone waits for him to make up his mind, the last of my hope hangs by a tattered thread.
Mr. Vitale's green gaze flicks to my father, and then he answers, “Fine, but the wedding will be held in New York.”
“As you wish,” Father says, triumph written all over his face.
I’m going to be forced to marry Mr. Vitale. The last time I saw him, he almost broke me. How will I survive him a second time?
There’s no burst of shock, but instead, the last mustard seed of hope dies. Melancholy fills my soul, and it feels as if the strength that’s kept me going drains from my body.
Mr. Vitale’s eyes lock on me again, and I bristle, my body too familiar with the brutal pain his fists can inflict. He moves closer to me, and I can’t stop myself from stumbling two steps backward.
“Yuki!” Father snaps.
Mr. Vitale crouches in front of me and picks up my dress, then holds it out to me. “Get dressed in the bedroom. I need my jacket.”
I grab the fabric from him, and desperate for a few seconds of privacy, I run to the ensuite bathroom in the bedroom.
I place Mr. Vitale’s jacket on the counter, and after I quickly put on my dress again, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror.
For so many years, I wondered what it would be like to dress like a woman. To wear pretty clothes and makeup. To have a man look at me with desire.
Now I know. It’s terrifying, especially when the man is the one who almost killed me.
In a month, I’ll be handed over to Mr. Vitale.
A forlorn feeling has my eyes drifting shut.
Hold out for Ryo. He’ll take over one day, and he’ll come to save you wherever you are.
I don’t know how I’ll survive until then, but I have to.
“Yuki!” I hear Yutaro snap from the bedroom, and I quickly grab Mr. Vitale’s jacket. When I rush out of the bathroom, his palm connects with the side of my head, while he rips the jacket from my hands. “Stay here.”