♥ Special Chapter ♥

Francisca Rossi.

I was startled to hear footsteps behind me and, when I looked back, my eyes widened at the sight of many men. Some were carrying huge boxes, others were cleaning weapons, all with hard, merciless expressions.

''Who's that, Cezar?'' One man asked as he approached me, his eyes assessing every detail of my face.

''That's Francisca. She went to our master's house and acted like a superior. She even had the audacity to call him by his name." He spat the words coldly, his voice laden with contempt.

All the men in the room stopped what they were doing when they heard Cezar's words. The silence in the shed became almost palpable, and I could feel the weight in each of their eyes.

"And you've come to say that you're pregnant by our Lord. "Another man replied, a cruel laugh escaping his lips.

''As if our lord was such an idiot to fall for that.'' Cezar laughed, his tone a mixture of amusement and disdain.

Anger boiled up inside me, and I couldn't contain my indignation.

''I'm pregnant! '' I shouted, my voice echoing through the shed. My fury was palpable, but they just laughed in my face, as if my statement was the most ridiculous thing they had ever heard.

''Of course you are. ''One of the men sneered, moving closer to me. ''And I'm the Pope.

More laughter filled the shed, and the sound of it made me feel even more helpless and humiliated.

''Do you really think we're going to believe that?'' Cezar asked, his face contorting into a cruel smile. ''Our Lord is not stupid. He knows very well who the real snakes around him are.

'' You can't treat me like this! '' My voice trembled with frustration and fear. ''Alessio will hear what I have to say! He needs to know!

The mention of his name caused an immediate reaction. One of the security guards advanced towards me and kicked me hard in the stomach, knocking me to the ground.

'' How dare you say our master's name? ''He snarled, his voice brimming with anger. '' You don't have the authority to call him by his name!

Groaning in pain, I tried to get up, but another security guard grabbed me and pulled me up, holding my arms tightly.

''Don't be pathetic, Francisca,'' said the man who had approached first. ''You're just a disposable item. Our lord has no time for cheap games.

A feeling of hopelessness began to invade me. I was surrounded by men who showed no sign of mercy. Their laughter and disdainful looks were like stabs, and every word they uttered only increased my sense of dread.

''Maybe you'd better start praying,'' whispered one of them, coming even closer. ''Because soon, not even our Lord will be able to save you.

My heart was pounding uncontrollably. The reality of my situation was now clear: I was in the hands of ruthless men, and my only hope of survival was on a thin thread that could snap at any moment.

Cezar moved even closer, his cold, calculating gaze assessing me with contempt.

"Look, she was kicked in the stomach, and nothing happened." He laughed, shaking his head. "You're not pregnant, Francisca. You're just trying to strike a blow for our Lord. How pathetic.

The other men laughed again, the harsh sound of their laughter resonating in the shed. My anger and humiliation mixed, forming a heavy knot in my chest.

''You don't know anything!'' I tried to shout, but my voice came out weaker than I expected, betraying my fear. ''I'm pregnant, and he's going to know it!

Cezar shook his head, still laughing.

''You keep insisting on this lie, don't you? ''He leaned closer, his eyes piercing mine. ''Our Lord is too smart to fall for such cheap tricks. You underestimated his intelligence, and now you're paying the price.

Another man approached, holding my arm tightly, forcing me to look at Cezar.

''Do you think he'll care about you once he knows the truth?'' The man muttered, his breath hot and disgusting on my face. ''He'll laugh in your face, just like we're all laughing now.

The tears threatened to fall, but I held them back with all my might. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

"Pathetic." Cezar repeated, his voice dripping with contempt. "Did you really think you could fool our lord? He's seen women like you before, and they've all come to the same end.

The men began to drag me out, their brutal hands hurting me, but I was powerless to resist. My plan had failed miserably, and now I was at the mercy of these cruel men. Every step I took was a painful reminder of my own stupidity and the absolute power our Lord had over us all.

The men continued to drag me, their brutal hands hurting me, as we advanced through the shed. I knew the humiliation wasn't over yet. We passed through gloomy corridors and down a cold stone staircase that led to the basement. The air was damp and heavy, and the smell of mold and despair filled the room.

I was thrown into a metal chair in the center of the basement. Before I could react, my hands and legs were tied with thick ropes. I tried to struggle, but my efforts were useless against their strength.

''Now you will wait here until our lord decides what to do with you,'' Cezar said, his gaze cold and implacable. ''Let's see how much pity he has for a pathetic liar like you.

One of the men approached and kicked me again, this time in the stomach. Pain exploded through my body, but I kept the scream stuck in my throat. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me suffer.

''Look, she was kicked in the stomach again, and still nothing happened. ''Cezar sneered, shaking his head dismissively. ''You're not pregnant, Francisca. You're just trying to strike a blow for our Lord. How pathetic.

They walked away, laughing and exchanging disparaging remarks, while I remained alone in the dark cellar, tied to the chair. Each laugh was like a knife in my pride, but the physical pain was overshadowed by humiliation and growing fear.

As their footsteps moved away, silence overtook the basement, interrupted only by the sound of my heavy breathing and my heart beating uncontrollably. I tried to calm down, but the surrounding darkness seemed to close in tighter and tighter.

My thoughts were a jumble of regret and despair. The plan I thought was foolproof had turned into a nightmare. And now, tied up and helpless, I could do nothing but wait for Alessio's judgment.