Gaia’s POV

Hunger clawed at my insides like a living thing. Twenty-four hours without food, barely any water, and the silver collar around my throat kept Selene locked in a silent cage. My head throbbed with every heartbeat. The luxurious room had become my prison—velvet drapes now mocking, the untouched tray of bread and fruit on the side table a cruel temptation just out of reach.

Vincenzo sat across from me in the same armchair, legs crossed, watching with that calm, ...