“Sit down, tesoro,” she said softly, patting the seat beside her.
I sat down.She was in a chair opposite D’Angelo, who watched us both like a hawk, switching his stare between us as if he was waiting for something specific.
“Sweetheart,” he said, his voice clipped, eyes on Mom.“Would you please tell her?I don’t have all day, Valentina.”
“Have patience, Vito,” she said quietly, her tone calm, measured.
They locked eyes — his full of anger, hers of sorrow.Normally, he’d never let her talk back like that.But today...today was different.
“Dolcezza,” she started, cupping my face in her hands.I looked into her eyes, searching for a sign — anything that could tell me what was coming.Her brows drew together, a frown tugged at her lips, and her eyes glistened.Her thumb brushed my cheek.That was all I needed to know — whatever she was about to say wasn’t her choice.
“Since it’s been years,” she said slowly, voice trembling, “your father thinks it’s time to...move forward.”She nodded once, trying to keep her composure.
My heart started pounding.“W-what do you mean?”I asked, glancing between her and D’Angelo.He said nothing, just watched me with that empty look.
Mom’s hands began to shake.Her breath hitched.
“Your wedding with Nicola will be next month,” she said.
The words hit like a gunshot.I saw her face crumble, tears spilling from her eyes as she exhaled a shaky breath.I just sat there — silent, frozen, staring.
My chest felt tight.Even though I’d known this day was coming, hearing it out loud still shattered something inside me.Next month.I was going to marry that vile man.There was nothing left to do.
“D-Dad...”I said, voice trembling, “you can’t do that.”I looked between them, panic clawing at my throat.“Dad, please don’t.Mom?”
Mom’s hands tightened around mine.She looked at me with pure sorrow, shaking her head slowly.
“I can and I will, Ariana,” D’Angelo cut in, voice sharp and final.
I turned toward him.He glared back, hard and cold.
“I’ve told you this too many times, and yet you still pretend you have a choice.You don’t.You’ll marry him next month.And that’s final.”
“Dad, I beg you—please don’t make this happen.”
My voice broke as I dropped to my knees, pleading like it was my last chance at life.Tears streamed down my face as I looked up at him, desperate for any sign of mercy.He didn’t flinch.Instead, he grabbed my arms and forced me back to my feet, his grip rough enough to bruise.
“You’re going to marry Nicola next month, dearie.That’s final.”D’Angelo’s tone was calm, almost cold.“Don’t make this harder than it already is.Accept the alliance.There’s no way out.”
I shook my head, crying harder.My body trembled uncontrollably, and he watched me like he always did when he knew I was breaking—ready to twist it to his advantage.
“Dad...I will never accept this alliance or whatever you call it,” I choked out, voice shaking.“He’ll never love me the way I deserve.He’s a monster, and you know that!”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Ariana!”D’Angelo snapped, running a hand through his hair as his temper flared.“It’s been five years!Five fucking years!When are you going to understand that Alessandro is dead?”
The words hit like knives.
“You have to move on,” he said, his tone dropping lower, darker.“Or things will get bad for you.”
Isn’t it bad already?
My heart splintered all over again.Hearing Alessandro’s name from his mouth made it worse—made it real.I had no one left to fight for me.No way out.
I was going to marry Nicola.
And Alessandro was gone.
That truth crushed me again and again, until there was nothing left inside me to break.
