Episode 3

Otavio stormed out of the nightclub and headed to his mafia headquarters where Jhon was at the computer trying to track Laura and access the cameras. However, whoever took her was clever enough to erase the footage and Laura's cell phone was untraceable.

"Jhon, I don't want excuses, you were in charge of keeping tabs on that girl!"

"I never wanted this marriage, couldn't stand that woman from the get-go. I knew she'd be trouble, but she outsmarted us, Otavio. She's with men from some mafia or gang—they were stealthy. Plus, that girl's not worth a dime. I tried time and again to reveal her investigations and her family's, but you turned a deaf ear. She plays the saint, but she's far from it."

"Jhon, I care little for your opinion, I don't love her, hence her past is irrelevant. What matters is that the damned agreement is sealed and will be upheld, by hook or by crook!"

"My friend, you're aware what will happen if she fails to show up?"

"I'm not waiting around for her to show up, I'll go myself and exterminate her whole family."

"But Giovanni has always been loyal, Otavio, do bear that in mind."

"I don't care, Jhon, they'll pay for that girl's reckless behavior."

Otavio left the headquarters with his advisor Jhon and a few other men, enraged because, for a Don, having a fiancee escape the day before the wedding is a huge disgrace. In the council's eyes, if a Don can't manage his would-be wife—merely a girl—how can he control his Mafia?

Measures were needed to wash away this dishonor, and this offense couldn't just be overlooked.

Meanwhile, Bianca and her parents were in despair, for they knew Don Otavio wouldn't let this slide.

They couldn't flee, it'd be worse—all they could do was await his arrival and beg for mercy.

Giovanni urged his wife and daughter to retreat to their room, but Bianca, despite her fear, refused. She stood firm by her father's side—if death was their fate, they'd face it together.

"My loves, please retreat to the bedroom, I pleaded for him to spare yours lives. The only death I deserve is my own, for failing to raise our daughter properly. What pain grips my soul."

"Darling, we did all we could, don't blame yourself. Laura was always headstrong, always rebuffed our affection," Rosa declared, weeping and upset about her daughter's act.

"Father, you have been and are a remarkable man. Laura missed out on being loved by our amazing family."

Embracing, they wept together as though biding farewell, an emotional toll causing Giovanni's hands to clutch his chest. Noticing her father's distress, at her mother's behest, Bianca quickly left them in the living room and headed to the kitchen to fetch her father water.

As she was en route to the kitchen, Otavio barged into Bianca's home, breaking down the door. He scanned the premises and found Giovanni and his wife seated. He ordered his men to search the house while he glared at them, loathing in his eyes.

"Do you grasp the havoc your damned daughter has wreaked, Giovanni? When I find her, she'll dearly pay for this impudence."

"Forgive me, my Don. I never imagined she'd do this—I'm utterly humiliated. Please, forgive us and have mercy, spare my wife's and my other daughter's lives."

"I have no mercy to dispense, Giovanni. Merciful is God, not I. I won't be shamed because you're an appalling father, but since you've advised my father well, I shall grant them a swift end."

Otavio fumed, feeling like a fool, betrayed. Drawing his weapon as one of the men brought Bianca and threw her amidst her parents, Otavio withdrew his finger from the trigger, studying her angelic and beguiling face. Even in fear, she radiated purity and grace.

Otavio turned to Jhon, then faced them, asking about the girl.

"Who are you, girl?"

Following his gruff, intimidating voice, Bianca failed to lock eyes, ill-equipped to discern his face.

"Bianca, sir. My name is Bianca, Laura's sister. Please, sir, don't execute us, please do..."

"SILENCE! Stop groveling. You must be just like that tramp since you share a father; he failed to rear you properly."

"My FATHER WAS INDEED AN EXEMPLARY PARENT! He was loving. Don't punish us for my sister's mistake." Bianca's defiance inflamed Otavio, and he saw her failure to make eye contact as disrespectful. Advancing, he seized her hair and pointed his weapon at her.

Giovanni, in agony, still pleaded for Bianca's life.

"You're insolent, little girl. LOOK ME IN THE EYES WHEN I ADDRESS YOU! Witness who’s sending you to perdition."

Bianca summoned her courage to speak.

"Don, I... I can't see. I can’t face you properly due to my impairment."

Otavio shot a reproachful glance at Jhon for this oversight, but then recalled how Jhon had tried repeatedly to discuss Laura's family and he'd ignored it. When Otavio met Laura, Bianca wasn't present. All that mattered was that the deal was struck.

Now within close proximity to Bianca, witnessing her frightened yet angelic features, struck with inspiration, he released her and circled the family, declaring his resolution.

"Here's the solution. I shall marry you until your sister is located. You'll fill her place, and once I find her, you'll be free."

"I’ll never marry you!"

"Fine, then you'll die with your kin." Otavio trained the gun on them, his finger tensing on the trigger, fury overwhelming him. Any woman would prize marrying him, yet despite the looming peril, Bianca refused, wounding Otavio's pride. His rage swelled, ready to perform the deadly act despite Bianca's notable impact.

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