"Oh my God." Tiana covers her mouth. "Aurora—"
"So yeah. I'm living in a nightmare. Leo's touching me constantly, making comments about my body, about the baby. Axel's watching from across the room, looking like he wants to murder someone. And my father is happily planning a wedding for his only child. I’m so overstimulated."
Chloe's face is red. "Run away. Pack a bag right now and leave. I'll buy you a plane ticket. You can stay with me—"
"I can't."
"Yes, you can!"
"No, Chloe. I can't." I meet her eyes. "My father would find me. And even if he didn't, where would I go? I'm pregnant with a mafia boss's baby. I can't just—disappear."
"Then stab Leo with a fork!" Chloe's serious. "I'm not joking. Next time he touches you, just—fork to the hand. Establishes boundaries."
Despite everything, I laugh.
"Aurora, you need to think this through," Tiana says gently. "Really think about what you're doing. Is there any way out? Any option you haven't considered?"
"I've considered everything. Trust me."
"What about Axel? Can he help?"
"How? Tell my father the truth? That would destroy his friendship with my dad, start a war between our families, and I'd still end up trapped or worse." I shake my head. "There's no good option here."
"There has to be something—"
"There isn't." My voice cracks. "I just… I just have to survive it."
Tiana's crying now. Chloe looks like she wants to punch someone.
“I have to go for breakfast now, talk later…”
"We love you," Tiana whispers.
"I know."
"Call us. Every day. Promise."
"I promise."
I end the call before I break down completely.
Breakfast is a special kind of torture.
The dining room is set up buffet-style, with eggs, bacon, pastries, and fruit. I load my plate with toast because it's the only thing my stomach can handle lately, and find a seat as far from Leo as possible.
It doesn't work.
The bastard plops down next to me anyway, chair scraping loudly. "Morning, beautiful."
"Morning."
His hand lands on my thigh. I freeze.
"Sleep well?" He's grinning in a very unsettling way.
"Fine." I move my leg. His hand follows.
Across the table, Axel's knuckles are white around his coffee cup.