Chapter 6 Marriag

"Come in, come inside!" She pointed to a small door.

"What do you want?"

"Just come in, my daughter!"

I realized they could arrive at any moment and catch up with me. Without thinking, I stepped inside and found myself in the back of a small bakery, where wood was burning to heat a brick oven, just like the one at the convent.

"Take off that wedding dress."

"What?" My eyes widened at the unexpected command from the woman.

"Do you want to escape or not? The dress attracts too much attention. Hurry, take it off! I'll help you." I turned my back to her as she unbuttoned the pearl buttons. I stepped back, feeling exposed in just my underwear. Thankfully, I was at an angle where I couldn't be seen through the windows.

The woman took what remained of the immense, luxurious wedding dress and tossed it into the clay oven. It was quickly consumed by the flames and reduced to ashes.

"Thank you, but I can't run in the street like this."

"Come with me. You're thin, but I should have some old clothes of my daughter's that might fit you." She grabbed a plastic bag from a counter and guided me toward a spiral staircase leading upstairs.

"Remove your tiara, let your hair down, and put it, along with your earrings, in this bag. They look very valuable; you might try to sell them."

"Thank you." I followed her advice and took off the jewelry. We reached a narrow hallway, and I quickly realized the house was very humble. From up above, I saw Antonella and several men pass by on the street. They were still looking for me, and I didn't think they would rest anytime soon.

"Stay away from the window." The woman pulled me aside and handed me a floral dress.

"Thank you."

"Get dressed quickly."

I nodded and slipped the clothes over my head, pulling them down until they fit my body. My heart was still racing, but as my breathing steadied, my limbs began to ache. I had pushed them too far.

"These shoes should fit you." She opened a trunk and handed me a pair of ballet flats.

"Thank you so much, but why are you helping me?"

"To escape a marriage, you must have a very good reason."

"Yes. I'm immensely grateful, but I need to leave before they find me here. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Who?"

"My marriage was with Marco Bellucci."

"The mafia." The woman paled and took a step back. I couldn't blame her for being afraid, because I was too, even though I knew I was born into a family involved in illicit activities as well.

"You really need to go. Soon, they'll start searching houses for you."

I nodded, doing my best to suppress my trembling. Inside, I wondered if fleeing this marriage was the most foolish decision I could have made in my life. However, only time would reveal the answer.