Veins Of Vengeance

h Damon. His words, the warmth of his touch, and the intensity in his gaze lingered with her, creating a storm of doubt within her. The carefull

the Moretti name. She had always known that her choices would never be hers alone-that the path her father had chosen for her was one of du

, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the deep yearning inside her to live a life of her own making. Damon had shown her the possibili

stray tear that had slipped down her cheek. She hadn't realized she was crying until n

fast," her mother's voice

hat this morning would bring. It would be another attempt to reinforce the future her pa

ther, who stood in the hallway with a gentle expression. "Go

e truth was far from i

of concern passing through her eyes. "You've be

though her voice betrayed her. She c

father will be expecting yo

ed floors, the towering marble columns, and the grand chandelier that hung above them all served as reminders of the life h

invisible chains, and every breath felt like a struggle. She had always been t

ded attention, and his sharp eyes immediately focused on Zara as she entered the room. He didn't sm

he said in his usual

iberate manner, her eyes occasionally glancing at Zara with an expression that was hard to decipher

portant event. The DeLucas are not just an ally-they are our future, Zara. Your engagement to

o be a part of some political game, some bargaining chip in a deal her father had made ye

voice steady, though her in

as part of a grand design. "Good. Then you know what's at stake. I expect you to carry yourself with the dignity that befits

ow much longer she could pretend that this was the life she wanted, the life she was meant for.

a's. "You're going to be wonderful, darling," she said, her voice so

knew she had to tell. Matteo was a good man, yes-but he wasn't the man she needed. He wa

conversation about the future her parents had planned for her. She needed spa

air. The streets of the city bustled around her, but she felt completely disconnected from it all.

make a choice. She couldn't live this life of pretense any longer. She couldn't go through with a marriage to Matt

o was born into this world of power and privilege, and the woman who longed f

e city. She sat on a bench, her hands folded tightly in her lap, s

have to choose the life they've mapped out f

ould she really defy her family? Could she walk away from everything

teps approaching. Her eyes snapped open, and she tu

ixture of amusement and something darker, somethi

he sight of him. He was a vision of confidence and

she admitted, her voice trembling. "I

"You don't need to know everything right now. Just listen to yours

g to live up to her family's expectations, trying to be the perfect daughter, the perfect heir. But now, standin

oint them," Zara whispe

osing yourself," Damon replied gently. "T

ange. She could no longer stay in the world that had suffocated her for so long. The choice was hers.