Chapter 5 Secret Room

Since that chaotic, unrestrained night, the atmosphere in the villa shifted in subtle ways. Alessandro hadn't become gentle or more affectionate, but he did rein in his savage ways. One afternoon, Alessandro was listening to reports from several of his core men. Lucia sat on a single armchair not far from him and listened quietly. At first, those fierce, intimidating mafia members were visibly uncomfortable with her presence. They occasionally glanced at the young Donna from the corners of their eyes. Their speech would become hesitant and clumsy. But Alessandro ignored all of it. At one point, when a subordinate stuttered through his report about a financial discrepancy, Alessandro lazily toyed with his lighter. However, his gaze drifted toward Lucia instead. "If it were you, what would you do?" he suddenly asked, cutting off his subordinate. The room went silent instantly. Lucia lifted her head and met his deep, shadowed gaze. She knew he was referring to the funding issue with the shipment that had been detained by customs. Lucia's voice was soft, but her logic was clear. "Redistribute the ownership of the goods. Use the shipment as a futures-backed loan with the bank to get short-term liquidity and fill the gap. Redeem it once the customs clear the cargo. The interest will be high, but it's still cheaper than breaking the contract." Alessandro's men exchanged surprised looks while he merely stared at her with a raised brow. One corner of his mouth curved upward slightly into something that was not quite a smile. He didn't praise her but merely turned to the flustered subordinate and said, "You heard her. Go." That unspoken approval gave Lucia a fleeting illusion. It gave her the impression that their twisted relationship was shifting into a more equal relationship. That afternoon, Alessandro went out with a few men, reportedly to handle some follow-up matters regarding that shipment. The maids in the villa were busy. Lucia suddenly found herself with a rare stretch of completely free time. She wandered aimlessly through the corridors. She passed the gallery and the conservatory, and eventually climbed the spiral staircase to the top floor without realizing it. Hardly anyone ever came here. Even the cleaning staff avoided it. At the end of the hallway was a dark oak door. It was not locked but slightly ajar. Lucia's heart began beating faster for no reason. She knew she shouldn't explore. Curiosity typically brought danger in the Rossi household. But a strong and instinctive urge pushed her forward. She looked around. Upon seeing that there was no one in sight, she gently pushed the door open. Lucia had expected a dusty storage room. Instead, the sight before her rooted her to the spot. It was an attic converted into a hidden room. There were no windows and only a single ceiling light casting a dim yellow glow. The room was spotless. Someone clearly tended to it regularly. But what made Lucia's blood freeze was the walls. Hundreds of photos and portraits hung there, filling every inch of its surface. Every single one was of the same woman—Elena. She had the same long black hair as Lucia, but her eyes overflowed with warmth and laughter. There was Elena riding at the stables, turning back at the seaside, embroidering in the garden… This was the real Elena. The one who had been alive, cherished, and nourished by love. Lucia stood before a large oil painting. Looking at Elena's gentle and elegant figure, she suddenly felt the ivory dress on her own body become unbearably heavy. She had been molded by Alessandro into a perfect replica of Elena, right down to the rhythm of her breathing. Standing here, she finally understood the bitter truth that a substitute was merely a substitute and nothing more. What hurt even more were the photos in which Alessandro appeared. He looked down at Elena with his eyes full of tenderness. He had his arm around her waist and held her as though she were something precious. Lucia's heart clenched painfully as a sharp ache spread through her chest. She hated his controlling ways and his cruelty. Still, seeing him love someone else with such sincerity hurt unbearably. The scent of cigars and cedarwood lingered in the room. On a nearby single-seater couch sat a half-finished glass of whiskey. It meant Alessandro came here often, most probably at night after having his way with her. He sat alone in this room surrounded by his dead wife. Lucia felt like an utter joke. His recent leniency had fooled her into thinking he was beginning to see her as an individual. But reality gave her a harsh slap. She was nothing more than a vessel to fill a void, a comforting item sharing a dead woman's face. "It seems my warnings don't mean anything to you." A cold voice sliced through the silence. Lucia flinched violently and turned around in shock. Without her knowing, Alessandro had come to the room at some point and was now standing at the doorway. His black shirt was slightly unbuttoned, and half his face was concealed in the shadows. His deep green eyes were locked on her, and they burned with territorial fury and menace. "I…" Lucia's throat tightened. She instinctively backed up until she hit the wall. Alessandro closed in, his gaze drifting over the portraits with lingering attachment before turning frostily to her pale face. "Who gave you permission to come in?" he asked. "The door wasn't locked, I just… walked by." Lucia forced herself to look at him, but her fingers dug into the frame behind her. "Walked by?" Alessandro let out a short, cold chuckle. He slammed his hand against the wall beside her ear, trapping her between himself and the photos. His scent, which was intense and overwhelming, enveloped her instantly. "You've been a bad girl, Lucia," he said. Then, he lowered his head until his lips were nearly brushing her ear. In a low and dangerous voice, he added, "Since you enjoy looking so much, then I'll let you have your fill." His hand clamped harshly around her waist and squeezed so hard it felt like he might snap her bones. His voice dripped with cruel humiliation as he said, "Look closely. See exactly how far you fall short of her."