Chapter 4 04

Amy Anderson Singh.

That man was incredibly strange, and the way he gripped my arm only made me more certain that he was dead serious about this marriage.

"Is this really serious? Is this actually a marriage?" The reality hadn't set in yet. Despite all the extravagant decorations, the guests, the undeniably bridal white dress, part of me still didn't want to believe it.

I couldn't just get married... not like this.

"But, why? Why me?" I questioned, lost in thought. It made no sense for a man like him to want to marry me. We didn't even know each other.

This was all getting stranger by the second, and I began to feel scared.

"Do you really love your mother?" he asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as I met his dark, intense eyes.

It felt like he was trying to provoke me with that question. His tone was harsh, and I could feel the hostility radiating from him, as if he held something against me. He continued speaking as he pulled me closer to stand by his side.

"Would you do anything to save her?" he whispered in my ear, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

A chill coursed through me, but I stayed still, trying to breathe normally, even in the presence of this man who, somehow, stirred something in me.

Was this really the best thing to do right now? Was there no other choice? I wondered, turning slightly to face him.

I tried to figure out why he'd made that offer, but my mind was blank. It was impossible to focus with all those threatening eyes watching me. I observed him for a moment, then looked down, feeling nervous in the middle of this situation.

There were various men surrounding us, some with tattoos and others with scars on their bodies. It was then that I understood, as if a light had gone off in my mind.

They weren't ordinary men. They didn't seem like the kind of people with regular jobs. Their clothes, their posture-everything screamed underworld. I suddenly realized what this was all about: this man was a mobster.

My eyes widened as I lowered my head even more, thinking about the mess I had gotten myself into.

Damn... he's a... mobster...

A lump formed in my throat. I knew that people like him were dangerous-that they killed without hesitation and tortured for fun. So why? Why did he want to marry me? Was he paying off some kind of bet? Did he need an heir? Or was this just for entertainment?

Oh, no... I couldn't believe this was really happening. All I wanted was to give my mother a good life, to see her treated, to live better, with her medications. I wanted to take care of her. But now, I was in the middle of this nightmare.

I couldn't understand it, so I just closed my eyes, feeling his brutal grip still on my arm.

I took a deep breath, thinking this sacrifice was necessary. No matter what he intended to do with me as his wife, this marriage would save my mother. For me, that was more than enough, even if it meant... suffering beside this man.

I opened my eyes and answered him.

"Yes... I'd do anything to save her," I replied, returning his intense gaze. I added, "Even marry someone like you, if it's necessary." I finished, challenging him, and I noticed my words seemed to catch him off guard. He looked indignant, provoked, and with a quick tug, he almost threw me in front of the altar.

He took a deep breath, and I turned slowly to look at him. He was angrier than before.

As I glanced around, I heard the murmurs of everyone in the hall, which had been silent just seconds before. I looked forward again and, a few steps ahead, saw what appeared to be a contract, a marriage license. And before he could say anything, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"I need to sign this quickly, for my mother's sake. I'll do it," I decided, and exhaled deeply as I stared at the document.

I leaned over a little and took the initiative, grabbing the pen and starting to sign.

When I finished, he moved closer to me and began signing his name. As I looked at the paper, I saw his name written: Michael...

That was his name...

He finished signing and looked at me for a moment, and his gaze was far from pleasant.

Before the applause even ended, Michael grabbed my arm and started walking, forcing me to keep pace so I wouldn't fall. I glanced around and noticed everyone's serious expressions, while some women looked at me with mocking smiles that unsettled me.

"Everyone here... they're all strange, and dangerous," I reminded myself. I shouldn't get close to any of them, for my own safety.

We left the hall and began climbing the stairs toward the rooms.

After walking a bit down the hallway, he looked at one of the guards and spoke.

"Send everyone home; the party's over," the guard simply nodded. Michael spoke again, "And keep watch. Don't let anyone interrupt us, understood?" I looked at his eyes, which were intense as he addressed the guard.

"Of course, sir," the guard replied. Michael took a deep breath, turned to the bedroom door, twisted the handle, and stepped inside, pulling me in with him.

Michael slammed the door shut, and I glanced around, then started asking the questions that had been tormenting me...

"What's going to happen to me now?"

"What are you doing? Why... did I have to marry you? Why... me?" I asked, desperate to understand. I didn't know what he wanted from this marriage-I just wanted answers. He clearly didn't do this out of goodwill; that was obvious.

Michael turned to me and pushed his hair back, clearly irritated.

He was fuming as he walked toward me, his eyes burning with anger. I placed my hand over my body as if that would protect me... I feared what he might do next.

I blinked repeatedly, stepping back as his long strides quickly closed the gap between us.

In an instant, he pushed me onto the bed, causing me to fall right in the middle. I let out a small scream and clutched my chest, startled.

He then went to the door, locking it. Next, he turned to face me, his eyes narrowed. At that moment, I knew nothing good was about to happen...

I felt my heart pounding in that instant. I was terrified, yet my eyes stayed locked on his dark ones. Michael continued to watch me in that intense way, slowly walking toward me.