~Elsie's POV
I stayed quiet for a while after Gianna and Matteo disappeared inside the mansion, but my mind had already drifted somewhere else completely. The warmth that had settled inside me earlier slowly faded again as another memory pushed itself forward.
"My parents.""
My chest tightened immediately. Salvatore noticed the change on my face almost instantly. "What is it?" he asked softly.
I lowered my gaze to my lap, trying to steady my breathing first before speaking.
"I still cannot believe what my parents did," I whispered quietly.
The words alone already hurt. Salvatore stayed silent, letting me continue at my own pace.
"I trusted them so much," I admitted weakly. "I trusted them with everything."
My fingers curled tightly together.
"I had no idea they could actually drug me just so I could end up with Pa Davies."
