Chapter 3 Better Than You

Eloise froze, her stomach dropping. She tried to keep her voice leveled. "I… I couldn’t sleep. I just went for some air—"

“Air?” Her father laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. He crossed the room in three strides and grabbed her arm roughly. "You expect me to believe that? Dressed like a whore and sneaking around the Caputo estate in the middle of the night?"

"Matteo, please—" Martha started from the doorway, her voice trembling.

"Shut up!" he snapped at his wife before turning back to Eloise. "Do you have any idea what people would say if they saw you? The embarrassment you would cause this family? After everything I’ve sacrificed, you want to ruin us?"

Eloise’s heart pounded. The memory of the stranger’s hands on her body flashed through her mind—the danger, the way he had made her feel wanted. She hated how her father’s words still had the power to make her feel small.

"I wasn’t doing anything wrong," she said, lifting her chin even as fear twisted in her gut. "I just needed to get out. I couldn't breathe!"

Matteo’s face darkened. "You think you’re better than us? Hiding behind your books, acting like you’re too good for the life we’ve given you?" He shook her roughly. "You’re nothing but a disappointment. A weak, useless girl who can't even do the one thing she's supposed to—secure a decent match."

The words cut deep, reopening wounds that had never fully healed. Eloise felt tears burn in her eyes but refused to let them fall.

Martha stepped forward, her hands wringing together. "Matteo, she’s just a child. Please, don’t—"

"I said shut up!" He whirled on his wife and slapped her viciously. Martha stumbled back, holding her face.

Eloise’s control snapped. "Don’t touch her!" she shouted, stepping between them. "She’s done nothing wrong!"

Matteo’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Before she could react, his hand flew out and struck her across the face. The force sent her staggering sideways. Pain exploded across her cheek.

"You dare raise your voice at me?" he snarled. "After everything I’ve done for you? You should be grateful I haven’t thrown you out on the streets yet."

Eloise touched her burning cheek, her tears finally falling. The shame, the anger, the helplessness, all crashed over her at once. She had just tasted freedom for a few minutes, and now here she was again, trapped in this nightmare.

Martha rushed forward, pulling Eloise behind her protectively. "Enough, Matteo. Please. She’s our daughter."

Matteo stared at them both for a long, terrible moment, breathing heavily. The rage in his eyes slowly dimmed into cold disgust.

"Clean yourselves up," he muttered. "And pray no one saw you sneaking around like a common slut tonight."

He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Eloise’s voice came out small but trembling. "Why do you let him treat you like that, Mama? Why do you let him hit you?"

Martha’s face hardened, her eyes turning cold. "You have no idea what you’re talking about."

"He hits you," Eloise pressed, genuinely trying to understand. "And you just… take it. Every time."

"Enough!" Martha snapped, her voice cracking like a whip. She straightened, lifting her chin. "I am married to your father. That is all that matters."

Eloise shook her head, her tears burning hotter. "No, Mama… I don’t think your worth should be tied to any man—"

Her mother’s laugh was bitter. "Now you listen to me, girl. I allowed your excesses because you were born sick. A frail little thing fighting for your life. I sacrificed my youth nursing you night after night. And when I prayed for more children… God closed His ears."

Each word landed like a fresh wound.

"Now, you better hope you find a good match. And soon."

The door clicked shut behind her.

Eloise sank onto the bed, angry tears streaming down her face. Her cheek throbbed. Her chest felt like it was splitting open. She wiped her face fiercely, almost angry at herself for crying.

She would never marry. She knew it with chilling clarity.

If she stayed, that would be her future—sold, silenced, and broken down piece by piece. She lifted her head, jaw tight, a dangerous resolve hardening inside her chest.

She had to run away.

---

The drawing room of the Caputo estate was extravagant. Everything there whispered of old money and power.

Eloise could see her reflection on marble floors polished to perfection. Oil painting of grim-faced men, past Dons, she assumed, watched from the walls.

She sat among her cousins, stiff-backed on a velvet sofa, her hands folded in her lap.

Outside the room, their parents' voices drifted faintly. Her father and her uncle were discussing with the Caputos. No doubt about future alliances and business.

Although the Caputos did not say it aloud, they made it obvious that they thought the Bernardis were beneath them. Useful, perhaps, necessary, maybe. But never equals.

Eloise hated the dress she was forced into. The stiff fabric made her uncomfortable and she longed for her loose trousers and a simple top. Instead, she was paraded like goods waiting for inspection.

She loathed more the chatter of her cousins.

Rose and Amelia sat close together, fingers constantly smoothing their dresses, touching necklaces, whispering and giggling behind their palms. The smug smiles on their faces made them hideous and Eloise could barely stand the look of arrogance they were throwing her way.

Chloe, only fourteen, sat apart quietly. Eloise had taken a liking to her from the moment they met. To Elosie, Chloe had more brains than both her elder sisters combined.

Amelia leaned closer to Rose, her voice deliberately loud. "And when you marry Massimo," she said, eyes gleaming with spite, "and have his children, you'll be the bride of the greatest Mafia Don in the world."

Rose let out a delightful laugh. "Imagine," she sighed, preening. "Power like that, everyone bowing."

Their gazes shifted to Eloise, mockery glinting in them.

Eloise did not flinch, if anything, she looked absolutely bored.

"I doubt," she said coolly, cutting through their whispers, "that either of you is smart enough to know the difference between being chosen and being owned."

They both opened their mouth in shock.

Rose pivoted towards Elosie, face flushing red.

"What did you just say to me?"