Vincenzo was a man who carried the weight of his own
darkness like a second skin. He was used to control, to
bending others to his will. At 39, his chiseled looks and cold
demeanor only added to his dangerous allure. Power
surrounded him like an aura, a force that made people
tremble in his presence.And then there was Rose-young,
innocent, and terrified. She had never imagined a life like
this, but circumstances had forced her hand. For the sake of
her family, she had to submit herself to Vincenzo's world, a
world far colder and crueler than anything she had
known.Vincenzo leaned against the edge of his desk, staring
down at Rose as she stood trembling before him. He'd bought
her expensive clothes, jewelry, and gifts, but the price she
had to pay for them was far heavier than material items
could ever justify.Vincenzo: "You look terrified, Rose. Still not
used to this arrangement?"His voice was smooth, almost
mocking, as his dark eyes scanned her from head to toe. She
shifted uncomfortably, her heart racing as she struggled to
hold back her tears.Rose: "I... I'm trying. I just-"She bit her
lip, looking down at the floor, her body trembling under his
gaze. Every time she was near him, she felt as if she were
standing on a precipice, the fear of what he might do next
always looming over her.Vincenzo: "Trying isn't enough."His
tone was sharp, a slight edge of impatience creeping into his
words. He took a step closer, and she instinctively flinched.
His hand reached out, gripping her chin, forcing her to meet
his eyes.Vincenzo: "Look at me when I speak to you."Her eyes
filled with tears as she stared up at him, her lips trembling.
She didn't want this life, but she had no choice. Her family's
safety depended on her obedience, and Vincenzo knew it. He
reveled in that power.Rose: "I'm sorry... I just... I'm
scared..."Her voice was barely a whisper, but he heard her.
He always heard her. His thumb brushed against her lips, a
touch that should have been gentle, but in the context of their
twisted arrangement, felt more like a warning.Vincenzo:
"Fear is good. Fear keeps you in line. But you'll have to do
better than this."He released her and turned away, walking
back to his desk. He knew exactly how to manipulate her, how
to keep her on edge. He had her wrapped around his finger,
bound by an invisible chain of fear and obligation.Rose stood
there, her hands clenched into fists by her sides, trying to
gather the strength to speak.Rose: "What do you want from
me, Vincenzo?"Her voice broke, desperation leaking through
her words. She had asked him this question so many times
before, but his answer was always the same.Vincenzo:
"Everything."He looked over his shoulder at her, his cold
expression never faltering. He liked to see her struggle, to see
the conflict in her eyes as she wrestled with her
helplessness.Rose: "I don't have anything left to give..."Her
voice cracked, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. But
Vincenzo only smirked, knowing that as long as her family
was under his control, she would always have something left
to offer.Vincenzo: "Oh, but you do. You'll always have
something left to give, Rose."He walked over to her, his
presence towering over her small frame. His hand moved to
her hair, brushing it back from her face, and for a moment,
she thought she saw something soft in his eyes. But it was
gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by that same
cold cruelty.Vincenzo: "Kneel."The command was simple, but
the weight of it made her heart drop. She hesitated for just a
moment, her mind racing. But in the end, she had no choice.
Slowly, she sank to her knees before him, her eyes downcast,
her breath shaky.Rose: "Please... don't..."Her words were
barely audible, but he heard them. He always heard them.
And he always ignored them.Vincenzo: "You know the rules,
Rose. You play by them, or your family pays the price."She
shut her eyes tight, the tears spilling over. She hated him, and
yet, she couldn't escape him. Not as long as he held the power
to destroy everything she cared about.Vincenzo reached
down, gripping her chin once again, forcing her to look up at
him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held that
dark, merciless glint that made her shudder.Vincenzo: "You'll
learn to stop fighting this. Eventually, you'll accept that this is
your life now."His thumb brushed against her lips again, and
she bit back a sob. She didn't want this. She didn't want to
belong to him like this, but she had no choice.Rose: "I hate
you..."The words slipped out before she could stop them, and
for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes.
Anger? Amusement? She couldn't tell.But then he smiled, a
cruel, knowing smile that sent a chill down her
spine.Vincenzo: "Good. It's better that way."He released her
and turned away, leaving her kneeling on the floor, her heart
heavy with fear and hatred. She didn't know how much longer
she could endure this, how much more of herself she could
give before there was nothing left. But for now, she had no
choice but to submit. To survive.
