HIS

Chapter 25

"Honey, are you in here?"

Julia shot me a smug look, as if she'd just claimed a victory. But I met her gaze with a calm, confident smirk of my own. She might have expected me to shrink back from her usual manipulations—but those days are behind me. I'm no longer alone. I have people who would go to great lengths to protect me, and with that kind of support, fear has no place in my life.

"Yes, I'm in here, honey," Julia chirped as she made her way to the door, opened it, and stepped out into the corridor. I stayed behind, finishing up washing and drying my hands with deliberate calm.

Once I was done, I followed her out—and was immediately met by my father's wide-eyed stare. His eyes looked like they might pop out of their sockets, clearly stunned to see me stepping out of the bathroom too. He probably couldn't believe that his once plain and overlooked daughter was now standing before him, dressed in elegance and confidence.

" "Good evening, Father," I greeted him, layering my voice with a hint of forced enthusiasm. His eyes scanned me from head to toe; disbelief etched into every line of his face. I moved to walk past him, but before I could, a firm grip on my arm stopped me cold—the witch had struck again, halting me in my tracks.

"Care to explain what you're doing here?" she asked again, tightening her grip on my arm with deliberate force.

I yanked my arm free from her grip and locked eyes with her.
"I was invited," I said coolly. "So, what's your issue?"

I stood my ground, waiting for her response. There was something satisfying about holding this quiet power over them—especially since they had no idea why I was suddenly so bold.

She stared at me, stunned, her expression frozen in disbelief as she slowly shook her head.

"We never invited you before, Olivia—so why would we start now?" she said with unwavering confidence.

My father stood silently beside her, his expression solemn in response to her words. Yet, as always, he chose not to speak up for me—not against her. No surprise there. I'd long stopped expecting anything different.

"Mr. and Mrs. Scott?" a voice called out from the entrance of the corridor. Domenico was approaching.

Julia quickly stepped in front of me, clearly trying to block my view of him—or more likely, to keep him from seeing me.

Trying to hide me, are we, witch? You're in for quite the surprise.

"Mr. Mancini, it's a pleasure to have you with us tonight," my father said, extending his hand toward Domenico.

Domenico accepted the handshake, but his expression was anything but warm—he looked visibly irritated. And I knew exactly why.

"Good evening," Domenico replied, his voice calm but edged with tension.

Julia was the first to break the awkward silence between her and my father.
"Mr. Mancini, welcome. Sophia was just wondering when you'd arrive," she said sweetly, her eyes shamelessly lingering on him.

As she spoke, she subtly shifted her body further in front of me, clearly trying to block Domenico's view. Trying to hide me, are you, witch? You're in for a rude awakening.

This clueless woman is probably scheming to pair her daughter up with Domenico. I can't wait to see her face when he reveals who I really am.

Domenico didn't react to her comment about Sophia and tilted his head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of me.

Julia quickly cut in.
"Come, I'll take you to her. This way, Mr. Mancini," she said, gesturing toward the exit while positioning herself more firmly in front of me, determined to keep me out of sight.