Chapter 96

• The elderly woman responded with a condescending smile, one that suggested she considered Anastasia somewhat simple-minded. "You truly are foolish if you believe my grandson is going to let you go. It is a game we often play, you see. Let the bird fly free, only for it to realize in time that it was truly made for its cage. Its purpose is to be fed by its owner, to sing only at its master's command, all the while gazing longingly outside the bars, yearning for freedom, when its genuine desire is to be cherished enough to be kept safe within its confines."
• Anastasia felt her mouth go dry as the woman fixed her with a knowing gaze. "Sandro has inherited far too many traits from his grandfather, traits that often render him terrifyingly reminiscent of that man. When I look at you, I recall emotions such as love, grief, and pain; I hail from a world of privilege, but it was never meant for me to stand by his grandfather's side, for I was promised to another. Yet the man committed murder, all to buy us more time together."
• With a tender touch, the woman's knuckles brushed against Anastasia's disheveled hair, the emerald ring on her middle finger feeling cool against her cheek. "At least I genuinely loved that old fool. As for you, I cannot yet discern what drives you in this life, but the patterns are all too familiar to me."