Page 35 of Sweet Deception

“As if you don’t know what these fucking Italians did to us.”

“It wasn’t her, Antonio! It was her family!” Despite the pain, Zoya’s voice remained defiant. “She’s innocent.”

Antonio’s expression twisted in rage. He slammed her against the wall, making her cry out, then struck her across the face with the back of his hand.

“Shut the fuck up, you slave.”

I flinched.

Then his eyes locked onto mine.

A chill slithered down my spine as he took a slow, deliberate step forward.

Run.

The instinct screamed inside me, but I was frozen. If I bolted through the emergency exit and got trapped, I’d be defenseless. I didn’t know where it led.

Antonio’s gaze raked over me, his mouth curling in disgust. “No scars,” he murmured. “Has he even been torturing you?”

I stiffened. What kind of question was that?

Antonio’s brows furrowed as he scanned me. “You look... healthy. Curvy, even. That bastard has been too soft on you.”

I barely had time to process his words before he shoved me down the stairs.

Pain exploded through me as my body slammed against each step, rolling violently downward. I felt something tear. Skin, maybe muscle, and a sharp crack echoed as agony surged through my limbs.

I tried to scream, but my breath was stolen by the force of the impact.

Then... darkness.

The next thing I knew, ice-cold water splashed over my face.

I gasped awake, choking, my entire body throbbing.

My vision swam as I blinked up at Antonio, standing over me. His smirk widened as he crouched.

“Your father really thought this marriage would bring peace?” He chuckled darkly. “Fool. We’ll never forget what he did to our family. You were sent here to suffer, not to live in comfort.”

I forced my lips to move. “You are taking it out on an innocent woman.” My voice was hoarse. “Coward. If you want revenge, go to Italy and face my father yourself.”

His eyes darkened.

He lifted his foot and kicked me hard in the leg.

A broken scream tore from my throat.

I clutched my limb, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The pain was unbearable. My legs... I couldn’t feel them.

Antonio crouched again, his breath hot against my cheek. “Does Gleb torture you at night?”

Fury surged through me. I spat in his face. “How is that your business? Kill me, then. I dare you.”

His smirk vanished.

The slap came hard and fast. My head snapped to the side, stars bursting behind my eyes. Blood filled my mouth, the metallic taste sharp against my tongue. Another slap followed, this one harder.

I refused to cry.