"If you make this mistake one last time, I'll throw you out of this house to live the rest of your pathetic life on the streets." Cecilia's voice sliced through the air like glass. "How could you miss my appointment? It was a simple task, but apparently too complicated for you to understand."My fingers trembled as that familiar rash flared again across my arm. I scratched without thinking, willing my voice not to break. "I... I'm sorry," I stammered. "Carlos said you needed me to do some market runs, and... I forgot along the way."The words tasted like aah, but I couldn't bring myself to say more.""Do you have any idea how much this cost me? Those pearls were limited edition!" Cecilia stepped closer, her perfume sharp, suffocating. She seemed to fill the room, crowding out all the air, Looking bigger than she really was"I'm sorry… there must be something we can—"Her palm cracked against my cheek before I could finish. Heat bloomed where she struck me, my skin stinging, my eyes burning. I swallowed back the tears. Crying would only give her more satisfaction. Never EVER associate yourself with me. We are not family. You are nothing," she spat.That's enough."The deep, commanding voice made everyone freeze.Maximilian von Freuler the billionaire, patriarch, and my father, sat in his wheelchair, the weight of his authority filling the room. Even now, his presence could silence storms. Behind him stood Luca Moreal, the man Max had adopted to help run the family empire. He looked like he'd stepped out of a boardroom and onto a magazine cover… tall, broad-shouldered, eyes as unreadable as dark glass.The doctor will be here soon," Max said curtly. "Cecilia, tell the staff to prepare for a guest and Elena, please go clean yourself up."The maids scurried into action, heads down as if nothing had happened. This was how it always was in the von Freuler household. no one dared to speak up for fear of incurring Mrs. von Freuler's wrath.The warm water ran down my petite frame, .but it couldn't wash away the sting on my cheek. The rash on my arm was raw and red now, but I barely felt it. I left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me and attended to the rash on my arm as i held in my tears.You let her treat you like that," a low voice said from behind me.I spun around, clutching my towel tighter. Luca leaned against my doorframe as if he owned the space, his gaze cool and unreadable."It's pathetic," he added, almost lazily."Max is asking for you," he said as he strolled away.The urge to tell him to get out, to shout and hurl insults rose in my throat but instead, I bit my lip and said nothing. Showing weakness in this house was dangerous but with Luca, it felt different. His words cut, but not like hers."Max is asking for you," he said, then walked away without waiting for an answer.I exhaled slowly, smiling wearily. At least he noticed me.By the time I went downstairs, dressed in a modest floral dress, the doctor was packing his bag."Mr. von Freuler," he said gravely, "you need to be on bed rest for most of the day. Your condition is advancing. You've been overworking yourself.""Mr. von Freuler, I'm afraid I'll have to put you on six hours of bed rest. Your sickness is advancing to the next stage. You've been overworking yourself."Thank you, doctor," Cecilia replied, her voice warm and honeyed; It was the same voice she'd used when she found out my mum, the house caretaker, was the mistress her husband was seeing. The same voice she'd used the day she'd had my mother fired from this house. Back then, I was allowed to stay, but not as a daughter. As a servant. Cecilia might be pretty, but don't mistake her for a trophy wife."I'm worried about his health too, but if he quits now, who will run the company?" Cecilia continued. I can't bear to see the love of my life struggle so much, she crooned."That's why I called everyone here," Max said, his tone brooking no argument.Cecilia's head turned sharply. "Called us here? Why?""I want to give Luca full control of the company."The words landed like a stone in still water."What?" Cecilia's voice cracked- the first time I'd ever heard her lose composure."What happened to keeping the business in the family?"""You've only known Luca for a few years and…""What if he betrays—""He won't," Max said, shutting her down.Max slowly sat up from his bed, suddenly looking like he'd shrunk and aged ten years in a moment."Luca has been my understudy for five years. I trust him."Hearing the word "trust" isn't something the von Freuler family uses casually. If a von Freuler said he trusted someone, you damn well knew nothing was changing his mind.The room went silent. Those few words held power."What about the family?" Cecilia pressed.Max's eyes slid to me, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Hm, I suppose Elena could assist him.'"What… what? Cecille ProtestedJa... sie ist Familie," he said quietly in Swiss German, his voice low but firm. "She's sangre, my blood."I glanced at Luca. He was already studying me, his eyes narrowed in intense concentration. My arms itched again; I was growing nervous beneath his gaze which he noticed, and his expression softened."Elena?""Yes, Max…""Please prepare yourself to assist Luca. You will be representing us in all family matters regarding the company. I'll expect you to report to me at the end of the week.""No problem.""And oh… Luca, please take the driver to shop for new clothes with Elena.""Of course," Luca replied.
