The next day, Mattheo kept his promise. He showed up quietly, carrying a small medical kit tucked under his arm. He knocked lightly on Mia's door before stepping inside.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her knees drawn to her chest, blonde hair falling over her face. She flinched at the sound of the door, but when she saw it was him, her shoulders eased just a little.
"I told you I'd come back," Mattheo said softly, pulling up a chair. "Let me take a look at your wounds."
Mia nodded hesitantly and rolled up her sleeve. Mattheo worked slowly, carefully. His hands were steady, gentle, never pressing too hard, never rushing. He dabbed the cuts clean, applied ointment, and wrapped the bandages neatly. For the first time, Mia didn't feel pain during treatment—just a strange calmness.
"All done," he said, tying the last bandage. "Here, these are antibiotics. You'll need to take them twice a day." He handed her the pills and a glass of water. "Have you eaten?"
Mia nodded.
"Good. Then you can take it now."
She swallowed the pills and set the glass down. "Thank you," she whispered.
Mattheo shook his head. "Don't thank me, little one. It's the least I can do… after what my brother's done to you." His voice was heavy with guilt.
Mia lowered her eyes. What could she say? Words never mattered in this house.
Time slipped by. Slowly, Mia grew more comfortable in his presence. Mattheo spoke to her as though she mattered, not as property, not as a toy. He even told her a few small jokes, and before she knew it, laughter escaped her lips.
"There," Mattheo said with a grin. "That laugh suits you. You should do it more often."
Mia ducked her head, smiling shyly.
"Here, I got you something," Mattheo said, reaching into his bag.
Mia blinked. "What is it?"
"Guess."
"I'm not good at guessing," she replied softly.
He smirked. "Just admit you're lazy."
Her cheeks flushed faintly as she shook her head.
Mattheo chuckled and pulled out a small package. "Alright, alright. Here it is."
When Mia saw the box of chocolates, her eyes widened, her lips parting in shock.
"I thought you might like these. Every little girl loves chocolate, right?" Mattheo smiled, watching her face.
But instead of reaching for it, Mia's eyes welled with tears.
"Hey, no, no, I didn't mean—" Mattheo panicked slightly. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I thought—"
Before he could finish, Mia threw her arms around him. The sudden hug startled him, but he didn't push her away. Her small body shook against his chest.
"Thank you… thank you so much," she whispered, her voice breaking. "It's been seven years since I had this."
Mattheo's throat tightened. He hugged her back gently, stroking her hair.
But outside, in the hallway, Luca Romano was passing by. He froze when he heard laughter, then the faint sound of Mia's voice. His steps slowed, suspicion boiling in his veins. He pushed the door open—and what he saw made his blood run hot.
Mia in Mattheo's arms.
Luca's rage exploded.
"Get the fuck away from her!" he roared.
Mia jumped back in fear, instantly hiding behind Mattheo's back, clutching his sleeve like he was her shield.
Luca's eyes burned as he stormed in. "What the hell are you doing here, Mattheo?"
Mattheo didn't flinch. "Treating her wounds. Making her feel human again."
"That's not what I'm seeing," Luca snapped, his gaze flicking to the chocolates on the bed. "You're trying to buy her, aren't you? With sweets?"
Mattheo's brows furrowed. "No. I would never."
"Mia, come here!" Luca barked.
She shrank back, pressing herself tighter against Mattheo, her wide eyes begging silently don't leave me.
"Luca," Mattheo said, his voice calm but firm, "don't do this. She hasn't done anything wrong. Let her breathe for once."
But Luca was too far gone. He reached inside his jacket, pulled out his gun, and leveled it at Mattheo.
"Move. Or I swear I'll shoot."
Mattheo didn't move. "You won't."
"Don't test me!" Luca snarled, finger on the trigger.
Behind him, Mia's trembling voice broke. "Please… leave. He'll hurt you because of me."
Mattheo turned his head slightly to look at her. Her blue eyes were swimming in tears. She was used to fear, used to begging. His heart cracked at the sight.
He looked back at Luca. His voice was low, sharp. "If you touch her, Luca… you're a bastard."
Then, slowly, he walked out.
The gun remained pointed, but Luca didn't pull the trigger. Out of all his brothers, Mattheo was the one he could never shoot. He respected him—because Mattheo had never wanted this bloody world.
Now only Mia remained, shaking in the corner.
Luca turned on her, fury twisting his face. "How dare you?" His voice was venom. "What are you, huh? A whore?"
Mia shook her head quickly, sobbing. "N-no… he just treated my wounds… he gave me chocolates, that's all."
"And then you hugged him?" Luca's eyes narrowed, his rage dangerous.
"I only hugged him because… because he helped me," she stammered through tears.
Luca's chest rose and fell heavily. His jealousy was a storm he couldn't control. He moved closer, his shadow swallowing her whole.
"Come here," he ordered, dropping onto the couch.
Her knees trembled as she obeyed, moving slowly toward him.
"Take off your clothes," he commanded.
Mia froze. "My… clothes?"
"Do it!" His voice cracked like a whip, making her flinch.
Her fingers shook as she obeyed, slipping her outer clothes off until only her undergarments remained. She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling.
Luca's eyes scanned her body, not with lust but with raw jealousy. He reached out, yanking her closer.
"No one gets to see you like this. No one touches you like this." His hand gripped her chin harshly, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Except me."
"N-no… he didn't. He only—he only looked at the wounds. I didn't—"
"You're covering for him?" Luca's grip tightened.
She shook her head desperately, her voice breaking. "No, no!"
"You belong to me, Mia. Only me," he growled.
Before she could respond, his mouth crashed against hers. She struggled, pushing at his chest, but his strength pinned her easily. He forced her onto the couch, pressing his weight down, his hand catching her wrists. He ripped off his tie, binding her wrists above her head.
"I can smell him on you," Luca spat. "And I hate it."
His lips moved to her neck, biting, sucking, marking. Mia cried beneath him, her voice shaking. "Please… please, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"
"Shhh…" he murmured darkly against her skin. "I'm claiming what's mine."
Her body writhed in panic, but his hold didn't loosen. He left angry marks on her neck, proof of his possession.
At last, Luca pulled back, breathing hard. He untied her wrists and stood, looking down at her trembling form.
"That's your punishment," he said coldly. "Next time you dare defy me, I won't stop. I'll make you sore for weeks. You understand?"
Mia nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face.
"Good. Now go take a bath. I hate his scent on you."
She stumbled away toward the bathroom, still trembling. Luca grabbed the package of chocolates from the bed.
"You won't eat this," he said bitterly, walking out with it.
When the door slammed shut, Mia sank to the floor, clutching herself. Tears fell uncontrollably.
For the first time, she realized just how dangerous Luca's obsession really was.
And how trapped she truly was.
*** IN HIS STUDY*****
Mattheo was waiting in the study, standing by Luca's desk with his arms crossed. His face was tight with frustration.
The door opened and Luca walked in. The smell of smoke and whiskey followed him. He stopped when he saw Mattheo.
"Why are you still here?" Luca asked, his tone sharp and annoyed.
Mattheo didn't move. "Luca, what's wrong with you?"
"None of your business."
"You're turning into a monster," Mattheo said.
Luca's eyes narrowed. "What I become is none of your business. Why were you there in the first place? In her room? Don't tell me you're lusting after her."
Mattheo's fists clenched. "Don't twist it. You know me better than that. I don't hurt women. She's only eighteen, Luca. She's scared, she doesn't belong in this world."
Luca gave a short, mocking laugh as he stepped closer. "Innocent or not, she's still a woman. Stop pretending otherwise."
That broke Mattheo's patience. He grabbed Luca by the collar, dragging him close. His voice shook with anger. "What the hell is wrong with you? That is not how you treat her!"
But Luca didn't look shaken. His smirk stayed. "She needs to learn her place. This is a mafia world. If she's weak, she won't last."
Mattheo froze. For a second, he saw something in Luca's face that he never wanted to see again—the same look their father used to wear. Cold. Ruthless.
He shoved Luca back. "You're just like him."
Luca's smirk dropped. His hands curled into fists. "I am not like him. I'll never be like him."
"Says the man who beats a defenseless girl because of his own twisted reasons," Mattheo said bitterly. "That's exactly what Father used to do."
"I'm putting her in her place. I rule, not her," Luca growled.
Mattheo shook his head. "She's not your soldier. She's not your enemy. She's just a girl trying to survive in a world you dragged her into."
"Enough!" Luca roared. "Get out!"
Mattheo walked to the door but stopped, his back to Luca. His voice was calm but cold. "Her body can't handle much more. If you keep pushing her, she'll break. And Viet—release him tomorrow. If you leave him there, he'll die. Don't forget what I've said—"
The sound of shattering glass cut through his words. Luca had thrown a tumbler at the wall.
"I said get out!" Luca yelled again.
Mattheo didn't look back. He opened the door and left.
***SURPRISE GIFTS*****
Later that night, Luca walked into Mia's room. She was sitting on the bed, her eyes red from crying. As soon as she noticed him, she wiped her tears quickly and lowered her head, afraid to meet his gaze.
Without a word, Luca held out a small package.
"Here," he said.
Mia stared at it in confusion and fear. Slowly, she reached out and took it, her hands trembling.
"Open it," he ordered.
She did as told. Inside were chocolates and snacks—the ones she used to love before her world was turned upside down. Her eyes widened, tears welling up again.
"Th… thank you," she whispered.
Luca turned away, his face unreadable.
"Eat a little," he said. "And don't blame me when your teeth rot."
He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.
Mia sat there with the package in her lap, her tears falling again. The same man who had broken her was now giving her sweets, and she didn't know whether to feel grateful or terrified.