Chapter 2 Forced Marriage (1)

The moment I opened the front door, I knew something had changed.

There were voices coming from inside the hosue.

Dad stood near the window, with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture was a little tense.

Beside him, seated with her legs neatly crossed and a glass of wine in hand, was Vanessa, my stepmother.

She was dressed in silk, something different from what she had on in Jakes house. Her eyes were cool, and lips curved in a polite smile like I hadn't just caught her naked in bed with my fiancé. How did she get home so fast?

"Emily," she greeted like nothing happened.

I stopped in the doorway. My chest tightened. "I see that you're back."

"Of course," she said smoothly. "Your father needed me."

He turned to me then, his face was drawn and very serious. But he wasn't angry, he didn't even suspect a thing. How do I tell him that his wife was cheating on him with my fiancee? What if he collapsed due to shock and die? I can't possibly let that happen.

"Come sit," he said.

I didn't move, I couldn't bare to stay in the same space with her.

"There's something important we need to discuss," he added. "Together."

"I'm tired, I just want to rest. Can't we talk tomorrow? " I muttered.

"No we can't, sit baby, It won't take long."

I looked at him, then at her, she didn't flinch. Before taking my seat at the far end of the couch.

Dad cleared his throat. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'm going to get straight to the point."

I looked at him, still unsure of what was going on.

"I've made arrangements for your marriage."

The world started spinning, dad couldn't meet my gaze, but he gave me time to process what he was saying.

My voice barely worked. "What?"

He exchanged a look with her, then faced me again. "You're getting married to Marco Virell Martini."

I knew that guy, he was kind of of a bugg deal among college bad boys that wanted to look cool.

I blinked. "The mafia guy?"

"He's a businessman-" dad tried to say.

"He's a criminal!" I snapped. "And I'm supposed to marry him?!"

"This isn't a decision we made lightly," he said quickly. "Our family is in serious trouble. I've tried everything, Emily. But this... this is the only way out."

I turned to her. "You knew about this?"

Her smile just slightly. "Of course I did. It's what's best for the family."

I stared at her in disbelief. "How could you do this after what you did? You set me up."

"Emily, this isn't your mother's fault."

"She's not mother of mine." I spat.

Dad eyebrow raised and so did his eyes as he stared at me, surprised at my response.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Vanessa said calmly.

"You-you knew I went to see Jake!"

"Wgst has that gotten to do with your marriage to Marco?" she asked, her tone deceptively sweet. "That's unfortunate. But let's focus on what matters."

"So you're relationship with him is even on first rmterm basis, does he drive you hard too?"

Her face flushed, dad just looked between us clueless. How did someone that had been in the Mafia become so unobservant.

My hands curled into fists. "You don't get to decide what matters to me."

"I'm not the one making decisions here," she said, flicking her gaze toward my father. "He is."

I turned to him. "Dad. Please. Tell me this is a sick joke."

He looked heartbroken, but not uncertain. "Emily... I owe people. Dangerous people. Marco is offering protection. He'll erase the debt. No more threats."

"So you're selling me?"

"It's not like that."

"It's exactly like that!"

He took a step forward. "I know how this looks. But he's not going to hurt you. He said he'd treat you with respect."

"He doesn't even know me!"

"He doesn't need to," Vanessa's voice cut in. "He needs the right wife, the kind who won't ask too many questions. The kind who knows her place."

My head whipped toward her. "You unbelievable b-"

"Enough!" Dad barked.

I shut my mouth, shaking from anger hurt and betrayal.

"You're moving into his estate this evening," he said, more quietly now. "The car will be here at four."

I stared at him like I didn't recognize him. "So that's it? After everything... you're just handing me over?"

"You'll be protected," he said, voice raw. "You'll be secure. This is the best I can do for you now."

"No, it's the best you can do for you."

I stood. "I'm not your bargaining chip."

"You think I wanted this?" he shot back. "I didn't have a choice!"

"You always haveba choice dad, I just wasn't it. Rember teaching me that?"

I turned and stormed upstairs before he could say another word.

I packed my few things in a daze.

Just a bag and one duffel. I didn't even think about what I was throwing inside, shirts, jeans, a toothbrush, maybe some socks. None of it mattered.

At exactly four o'clock, a long black car rolled up outside.

A tall man in a black suit stood waiting by the door. "Miss Harper?"

I swallowed. "Yeah."

"Come with me."

I walked past my father without saying goodbye. I didn't even look at her.

The drive was silent. Trees blurred past the windows as we moved farther from the city, the roads twisting into unfamiliar territory.

It felt like a countdown, eventually, we pulled through an iron gate and up a stone driveway.

At the top of the hill stood a mansion. It looked cold, grey, enormous. It didn't feel like a home. It felt like a fortress.

The front door opened as I stepped out.

A butler greeted me. "You'll be shown to your quarters. Mr. Martini will speak with you at dinner."

I was led through hallways of stone and polished wood, past rooms, but I didn't look inside.

When the guest room door closed behind me, I finally let the silence sink in.

This was real, I wasn't dreaming. I wasn't engaged anymore, I wasn't even heartbroken anymore. I was someone's possession.

And the worst part? There was no way out.