CHAPTER FORTY ONE – DREAMS OF FREEDOM

She barely heard the rest of the conversation as she mechanically finished shelving the books, her thoughts in turmoil. That night, as she lay in bed during the quiet hours before sleep, Rebecca's mind raced. She thought of her life back home, of the bakery, of Luca... and now of this unknown man her father had chosen for her to marry. The peace she'd found at the convent seemed to evaporate, replaced by a growing sense of panic. She couldn't let this happen. She wouldn't let her life be decided for her like this. But what could she do? She was stuck here in the convent, under constant supervision. Her parents clearly had no intention of listening to her wishes. As Rebecca tossed and turned, unable to sleep, a desperate idea began to form in her mind. What if she didn't go back home at all? What if she... escaped? The thought both thrilled and terrified her. Where would she go? How would she survive? But the alternative – being forced into a marriage she didn't want – seemed even