Cora rushed back to the room assigned to her, her heart hammering against her ribs. The walls around her felt too close, suffocating. The burn on her arm throbbed, the skin hot and raw, but she barely felt it. All she could think about was Lilly.
Would he hurt her? Would Lorenzo really lash her because of Cora’s defiance?
She had known she was walking a dangerous line. She had known that talking back, refusing to obey, would have consequences. But she hadn’t thought he would go that far.
Her breath came in shallow gasps as she sank onto the edge of the bed, gripping the fabric of her dress between trembling fingers. A sharp knock on the door made her flinch.
She turned just as the door creaked open. A maid entered, her movements soft and practiced, her eyes lowering respectfu
