Episode 3

I woke up early in the morning, took a shower, and did my personal hygiene. After drying off, I dressed in modest and demure clothing. When the door was unlocked, the last person I wanted to see entered my room, carrying a breakfast tray.

"Good morning, Elisa. I brought your breakfast."

"Since when are you the house servant? Or did you just come here to annoy me?"

"Your anger towards me will get you nowhere, little sister. Eat your breakfast so you can be well taken care of. And by the way, your wedding to Don is the day after tomorrow, meaning you have three days from today." he said, leaving the room.

I looked at the tray on the nightstand. Even with all the hatred I felt, I ended up sitting on the bed and having coffee and cake.

My mom came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Good morning, my princess," she said, looking at me.

"Good morning, Mom. My wedding is in three days," I said sadly.

"Honey, your father and I never wanted a life like this for you. He never wanted you involved in mafia business," my mom said. "That's why he never bothered to teach you anything related to it."

"And all that protection didn't help, Mom," I replied, putting the cup back on the tray.

"Even so, never let anyone take that smile from you, or dim that beautiful sparkle you have in your eyes, my princess," she said, hugging me tightly.

"Thank you, Mom. I love you, I love you so much, and I'm going to miss you terribly," I said, crying.

Mom left me alone in the room. I knew Don Montanari was a very rich and handsome man. I had already heard many people talking about him. They even said that he was a very serious and mysterious man. But, even with all the beauty and wealth in the world, marrying someone is serious business, a step that needs to be well thought out. In my case, I was forced, with no choice, and on top of that, to marry without a shred of love.

...🌼 Three days later......

Now I'm in the car. Montanari sent for me at home, with my bags and everything. Today was the damn wedding, and I had nowhere to run. We drove for almost an hour and a half to his house, which is far from everything. The closer the car got to the place, the more tears I shed. Tears of hatred, for Matheus doing this to my life.

As soon as we arrived, the driver parked the car in front of the mansion. I got out and was greeted by a gray-haired woman. She led me to the room, and as I entered, I saw a team of professional makeup artists waiting for me and a perfectly sculpted wedding dress on a mannequin.

"How lovely," I thought.

I put on the dress with the help of two women who were there to help. The dress was beautiful, but too much for my taste; I preferred something simpler. In a month, I would turn 18, and this was my gift.

"Life successfully ruined."

After I finished with the dress, I stood up so as not to wrinkle it. The makeup team came and did my face. It didn't take long for everything to be ready. I was already prepared for my torture.

I walked out, as calmly as can be. I got into the limousine, which I considered another exaggeration. I would have preferred to go by donkey, to embarrass Montanari and make him give up this absurd idea. The car started, and this time, I couldn't cry so as not to smudge my makeup. I wanted to arrive at the church beautiful, even if it was against my will.

The car stopped in front of the church. There were many people I didn't know, but who were known by my future husband. Maybe he even paid those people to be there, which wouldn't be surprising.

The wedding march began to play. I mentally thanked God that the veil covered my face. I looked to the sides and saw my mother sitting in the front, next to my cynical brother. He definitely has no shame.

I continued walking until I reached Don Montanari. He really was handsome, as they said, but his gaze was intimidating and penetrating, as if he were seeing into my soul. The ceremony proceeded as expected, and time seemed to drag on. And then finally we heard:

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," announced the priest. My heart froze in that instant.

Montanari smiled and unveiled my face. He stared at me for a few seconds, while I maintained my posture, upright and serious.

"You should smile, it's our wedding after all," he whispered.

"Unfortunately I'm not happy, I'm not two-faced," I commented softly.

He rested his warm hands on my back, squeezed me angrily, and kissed me, crushing my lips. Everyone in the church began to applaud.

"Don't fall in love," he warned, smiling at the paparazzi who were there taking pictures.

"Why would I fall in love with you? Give me just one reason," I whispered through gritted teeth.

"Because I kiss well?" he smiled calmly.

"If I fell in love with everyone I've ever kissed, I'd be married to all of them, because they kiss better than you. Believe it?" I whispered ironically.

"I don't," he replied.

"Well, believe me, I'm telling the truth," I said, feeling him squeeze my hand.

We walked hand in hand outside, got into the car, and headed for the mansion. I knew I was starting a life I didn't want. I'm too young to see my life destroyed, but I let it happen.

On the way to the mansion, the silence in the car was thick, almost palpable. I could feel Ethan's penetrating gaze on me, as if he were evaluating my every move, every breath.

"Do you have any idea what you're in for?" his voice broke the silence, rough and direct.

I swallowed hard before answering, trying to maintain my composure in the face of the brutality of his words.

"I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for you," my voice came out firmer than I expected.

He turned his face towards me, his dark eyes flashing with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

"It doesn't matter what you asked for or didn't ask for. You're here because it was decided," his voice was like cutting steel.

"You think you can just decide my fate like that?" my disbelief escaped, my hands clutching the fabric of my dress.

A wry smile appeared on his face, a smile that didn't reach his hard eyes.

"That's exactly what I'm doing. If you haven't figured it out yet, you will in time," his tone was threatening, making it clear that my options were limited.

The rest of the trip was made in silence, every minute seeming like an eternity as I tried to process what lay ahead.

I was literally screwed.

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