Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Her father always told her to stay out of other people’s business. Moments like this, she had to wonder how her father did it. How he was able to stay out of someone’s business who was clearly being hurt.
Filling the pristine white sink with warm water, she grabbed one of the fluffiest towels there was.
There seemed to be a fascination with the purest of white. She wondered if this had something to do with the fact they were all far from pure.
Dipping the towel into the water, she got it nice and wet.
“Have you told your brother?” she asked.
“He wouldn’t do anything about it.”
“You don’t know that,” Tessa said.
“He thinks I deserve it.”
“No woman deserves to get hit.” She started to press the cloth against the blood, wiping it away. More bruising had come out. She also wiped away a thick layer of makeup. It had to be the way she was hiding it from Alonzo. She didn’t want to think of him as ignoring his sister’s pain.
It doesn’t matter what he does.
He can do whatever he wants.
You’re nothing.
“Did you enjoy your shopping trip?” Jessica asked.
“It was okay.”
“You don’t sound happy about it. I know my brother can be a pain in the ass.”
“I don’t like shopping.”
Jessica snorted. “Please, we all love shopping.”
“Then I must be weird because I never enjoyed it. Not even growing up at home. I hated it when it came time for it.”
“You’re right. It’s weird. Shopping is something I’m an expert at. I could gladly do it all day every single day.”
“Are you happy?” Tessa asked.
“I’m sorry?”
“Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked. It was stupid of me.”
“You want to know if I’m happy.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m so stupid for asking. Honestly, it’s not my place.”
She wiped some more of the blood away, wishing she had a filter to stop herself from asking stupid questions.
“No, I’m not happy,” Jessica said. “You know, you’re the first person to ask me.”
“I am?”
“Yes. In our world, no one cares about the women. We’re a means to an end. Because we don’t have a dick, we’re expendable. Men use us for their own personal pleasure. I envy normal girls. Women that didn’t start out as a Zanetti.”
“You don’t love your husband?”
“I hate him,” Jessica said, snorting. “I didn’t want to marry him. It was my dying father’s wish to see me marry Benedict. If I could get away with it, I would shoot him. He’s out screwing everyone and everything. I don’t want him to touch me.” Jessica looked into the nursery. “I … I don’t love him.”
This made Tessa pause. She didn’t want to say anything, not right now.
“I know that I sound horrible, but I … I don’t love him. I don’t feel anything toward him. He’s so cute. So small. So perfect and he was healthy. So many women can’t have babies, and I had a healthy one. A good one.” She sniffled. “It’s just another trap. Something to keep me tied to Benedict, and I hate him even more. I know you don’t want or need to hear this.”
“I’m so sorry you feel that way.”
“You care about him, don’t you?”
“I think you need to talk to Alonzo.”
“I won’t hurt him,” Jessica said. “I will never harm that baby, but I won’t ever love him. I don’t have it in me to love a monster.” Jessica took the towel from her hands. “If you are wise you will listen to me and you will find a way to get out. To get out and leave here. To never look back.”
“Jessica?”
“I will take it from here. Go away,” Jessica said.
Leaving the nursery, Tessa didn’t know what to do. She truly believed Jessica wouldn’t hurt Caesar, but she didn’t know how to deal with the bruises, or the pain so clear in Jessica’s eyes.
Seeing no other way to stop it, she walked to Alonzo’s office. She didn’t want to knock on the door, but she did.
“Who is it?” Alonzo asked. His voice sounded so threatening and scary.
“It’s Tessa.”
Seconds later the door opened. Alonzo’s body covered the doorway.
“I’m so sorry. You’re busy.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“It can wait. Right now, I’m busy, and you need to go back to Caesar or elsewhere. I have business to deal with.”
She didn’t get a chance to say another word as he slammed the door closed.
Tears filled her eyes at how useless she felt.
Turning her back on the door, she started making her way back up to Caesar’s room. The door was partially open, and as she went to open the door, she stopped. Jessica was in the rocking chair with a pillow around her body. She held Caesar in her arms.
The young boy was holding his mother’s finger.
“Hello, sweet boy, you’re not too bad, are you? No. I bet you’re spoiled. Tessa spoils you. I’ve watched her with you. She adores you, yes, she does. She’ll be one hell of a mom one day. I’m not a good mother, Caesar. You’re going to hate me because I can’t bring myself to love you. The moment I knew you were a boy, I knew I couldn’t have you. My mom warned me. She told me not to become attached to a son. A son didn’t have a place with his mother. You’re going to become an Adesso or a Zanetti. One day, I hope you can rule this place with an iron fist, but when you look at your wife, you’re nothing but tender.”