Chapter 2
The sprawling second-floor corridor was a masterpiece of bright, vivid interior design, featuring rich crimson runners over polished marble floors and gilded mirrors that reflected the immaculate lighting. Yet, the warmth of the environment was entirely lost on three-year-old Noah Bellandi. Dressed in soft child’s pajamas and tiny slippers, the toddler stumbled forward, his small, fair, and rosy face stained with fresh tears.
Bianca’s grip on his upper arm was violently tight. Her manicured fingers dug into the delicate fabric of his pajama sleeve as she dragged him down the long hallway. Her elegant formal dress swept aggressively across the carpet, her high heels clicking like a metronome of impending doom.
"Please, Bianca," Noah whimpered, his tiny American accent cracking as he struggled to keep up with her rapid, furious pace. "I want my Daddy. It's dark in the big hall."
"Shut your mouth, you sniveling little pest," Bianca hissed, not even bothering to look down at him. "Your father is busy running an empire. He doesn't have time to coddle a weak, crying baby."
She dragged him to the far end of the residential wing, stopping abruptly outside the heavy oak door of her twelve-year-old daughter’s bedroom. With a sudden, vicious motion, Bianca violently shoved Noah forward. The three-year-old lost his footing, tumbling hard onto the thick hallway rug. He let out a sharp gasp as his knees hit the floor, his fair skin flushing a deep, painful pink.
"Get up," Bianca commanded, stepping over him.
From the pocket of her dress, she pulled out a heavy, cold metal flashlight. She leaned down, grabbing his small hands, and forcefully pressed the flashlight into his tiny palms, wrapping his trembling fingers around the cold metal casing.
"What is this for?" Noah sobbed, staring down at the heavy object.
Bianca looked down at the terrified child, a cruel, twisted smile spreading across her beautiful, rosy face. The glittering diamonds of her engagement ring flashed in the bright light as she crossed her arms over her chest, thoroughly enjoying the fear she was inflicting upon the heir of the Bellandi empire.
"Stay awake," Bianca commanded, her voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "My daughter sleeps better when you stand guard at her door."
"But I'm sleepy," Noah cried, rubbing his wet eyes with the back of his hand, nearly dropping the flashlight. "There are no monsters here. Daddy said so."
"Your Daddy isn't here right now," Bianca sneered, leaning closer so her face was inches from his. "And if you drop that flashlight, or if you dare to close your eyes, I will lock you in the cellar where the real monsters live. Do you understand me?"
Noah nodded frantically, his chest heaving with terrified, erratic breaths. He hugged the heavy flashlight tightly against his small chest, pressing his back against the wall outside Ava’s bedroom.
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"Good," Bianca said smoothly, straightening her posture and smoothing the front of her elegant dress. "You stand there until morning. If I hear so much as a single peep out of you, you'll regret it."
She turned on her heel, her jewelry sparkling in the bright hallway lights, leaving the three-year-old boy shivering alone on the floor, absolutely paralyzed by fear.
