Chapter 43 Bent, Not Broken

• Marina
• Present
• I could tell the instant Giovanni walked through the door to Daddy’s office. The air turned frigidly inert and a deathly silence fell over the room. Giovanni enters. I hear him murmur his appreciation to the guards and then the door closes behind him, sealing my fate. I feel him. I hear the sounds of his shoes clicking on the hard floor, it’s a normal sound, but it’s ominous. He doesn’t say a word, just sits down in the chair beside my father. I don’t look up from my lap. I keep my eyes averted but I can see him cross his arms over his chest.