BOOK 4
°•°Mature Content°•°
(THE ESPOSITO FAMILY)
**Il suo zaffiro (His Sapphire)**
Sapphire, a striking young woman with deep blue eyes and cascading black hair, lives a life of hardship on the streets, unseen and unloved. At 21, she navigates her...
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The next day, I woke up feeling depressed. The sunlight peaking through the curtain made me know that it was now daylight. I forced myself out of bed, the weight of my situation pressing heavily on my chest. I dragged my feet into the bathroom, I removed all my clothes then took a long bath.
Right after I brushed my teeth, staring into the mirror at the girl I barely recognized. I slipped into a simple white tee and short shorts, trying to shake off the feeling of despair that clung to me. I pulled my hair into a messy bun, letting out a sigh that echoed through the empty space around me.
A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The door creaked open, and Logan stepped inside and I rolled my eyes.
"Good morning," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle.
"Morning," I muttered, keeping my gaze on the floor.
"Breakfast is ready," he informed me, taking slow steps toward me. I instinctively took a step back, pressing my back against the wall. Why was he getting closer?
He closed the distance between us, and my heart raced. When he reached out to touch my hair, I flinched, expecting the worst. "There's something in your hair," he said, plucking a stray piece of string. "You don't have to flinch, you know. I won't hit you."
I couldn't tell if he was sincere or just playing a game. Stepping back, I crossed my arms. "Now let's get you something to eat," he said, taking my hand in his. His grip was warm and surprisingly soft, sending an unsettling flutter through me. What was wrong with me?
As we walked down the hall, I gathered my thoughts, needing to break the tension. "I have a question," I said, halting my steps. He turned to face me, curiosity etched on his features.
"Ask away," he encouraged, his dark eyes searching mine.
"Did you kidnap me because of what I did at the bar?" I asked, bracing myself for the answer. He chuckled, and I couldn't help but wonder why.
"No, it's a bit more complicated than that," he replied, his voice low and serious.
"What do you mean?"
"There was always something about you that caught my attention, Sapphire. Every time I entered that bar, your eyes told a story." He took a step closer, and I felt my heart race for reasons I couldn't comprehend. "Your eyes sparkle with mischief and determination. Your energy is infectious, and I could tell you were smart, confident, caring, and kind—but..."
"But?" I echoed, my voice shaky.
"Beneath all that lies a wall of pain and sadness." My breath caught in my throat as I fought to maintain my composure. "You hide your past behind a facade of strength. But deep down, I can tell you are hurting. You know how I know this?" He leaned in closer, whispering into my ear, "Because it's something I'm used to, bellissima."
