Claimed By The Mafia Don.

"No fucking way! I'm not agreeing to this!"

"Language, Vespera! Penelope is marrying Max Castillo, and you will not interfere."

It was dinner time. My stepsister, Vespera, argued with my father in the dining room, while I sat in the corner, shaking, too afraid to make a sound.

My name is Penelope, the illegitimate daughter of the Turner family.

My mother was my father's mistress, which meant Vivian Turner, my father's wife, and her daughter despised us both.

Vespera scoffed, "Father, have you ever looked at her? She's like a fat cow. Max will never accept that bastard! The Castillo family will take this as an insult!

I glanced down at my body, my gaze lingering on the curves I tried so hard to hide. I could feel the weight of Vespera's judgment pressing down on me.

I was a plus-size girl, and she never let me forget it. She made it her mission to point out every flaw, constantly comparing me to her slender figure. She was an actress, known for her beauty, while I felt like the complete opposite.

My father's patience was clearly wearing thin. "That's enough. Penelope is my firstborn. You are second. She will be the one to marry young Castillo."

It was decided. My father had arranged a marriage contract between our families. He believed it was only right that his firstborn, me, marry before my stepsister. That's why he had offered me to Max Castillo, the second son of the powerful Castillo family.

The Castillos-led by Silvio Castillo-were a name that commanded respect, fear, and power across the globe.

I hadn't objected when it was first mentioned. I couldn't. I wouldn't dare. I had no place in this house, and certainly no right to protest. But in the deepest, most secret part of me, one I buried even from myself, Max had been my crush for years. Now, somehow, my impossible dream might actually come true.

"I want you to make a good impression at the wedding, Penelope."

My father's voice was laced with authority. "Remember our plan."

"Understood, Father," I murmured.

Vespera burst out laughing, the sound sharp and mocking.

"That's rich, Father. What does she even have to impress him with?"

A rush of shame washed over me. I knew Vespera was right. I didn't belong in this world, at least not in the way they expected me to.

I wasn't beautiful like Vespera. I didn't have her talent, her looks, or her effortless grace. I wasn't the type of woman someone like Max Castillo would want. And yet, somehow, my father had chosen me for this marriage.

My father was the CEO of Titan Arms, one of the top weapons manufacturers in the world. And for reasons I couldn't fully grasp, he saw marrying one of his daughters into the Castillo family as a brilliant business move.

My mother had been a cook for the family, a woman of no great distinction, and now it seemed I was nothing more than a pawn in my father's grand plan.

Dinner ended in silence that day. I could see Vespera sulking, stabbing her steak with such force I feared the plate might crack.

My mother and I hadn't eaten much at all. Anxiety gnawed at both of us.

A week passed, and before I knew it, it was the night before my wedding.

My father had arranged everything, hired people to handle every detail. I had no say in it. No control. I just went along with it, like a puppet whose strings were already pulled tight.

I had no friends to confide in, no one to help me celebrate or distract me from the impending reality. It was just my mother and me, quietly sitting at home, watching movies to pass the time.

Then, without warning, a sharp knock echoed through the door, making me jump.

"Stay here," my mother said softly, her voice steady, but I could hear the knot of fear twisting in her throat. She wanted to answer the door herself.

But before she could even reach the handle, the door was flung open and my mother was thrown against the wall.

I froze, panic rushing through me. I reached for my phone, but before I could make a sound, I was grabbed by my hair, my stomach hit hard, and I crashed to the floor.

"Please, just take whatever you want," I begged, "We have money... just don't hurt us."

As I looked up, I could see their faces clearly, three men, none of them bothering to hide their identities.

This wasn't a typical robbery. They were something far worse.

One of the men laughed, mocking my words, "The bitch says she's got some money for us."

I caught a glimpse of my mother, lying on the floor, blood dripping from her scalp.

"What is it that you want?" I managed.

"Oh, it's not us you need to worry about."

Just then, I heard heels clicking as someone approached. I didn't need to look to know who it was.

Vespera stepped into the room, her silhouette standing in the doorway.

"And you call this a home," she sneered, looking around with disgust.

"What do you want?"

She simply smiled at me, a wicked glint in her eyes.

"Are you really that dumb, not to know why I'm here?"

I froze, my throat tight.

Yes. I knew exactly why she was here.

"We'll leave," I shouted, my voice cracking. "Tonight! I'll leave with my mother, and you'll never see us again!"

"Oh, dear sister," she said, her smile sickening. "Did you really think you could take what was mine?"

"Look at you, fat and ugly, crying like a pig!"

She spat the words. Each one was a slap in my face.

"Father arranged this marriage, I have no place in it!"

I pleaded, desperate to make her see reason. But she didn't listen. Her hand shot out before I could say more.

The slap came so fast. My face burned with pain as I crumpled to the floor.

"How dare you, a bastard, think you could take my place?" she hissed.

"I'm the one that's going to marrying Max Castillo. I'll be part of the Castillo family. The glory is mine, not yours!"

"My dress is ready," she added, "Tomorrow, I'll replace you."

"Take the wedding if you like!" my mother screamed, her voice shaking with fear. "Don't hurt my daughter."

Vespera barely looked at her. "Oh, I almost forgot you were here," she said, then pulled a gun from her bag.

I couldn't breathe. I knew what was coming. My heart slammed against my chest.

"The clean-up team is here, miss," one of the men said.

"NO, please!!!!"

I yelled, but it was too late.

Vespera didn't hesitate. "My mother sends her regards," she said flatly, then raised the gun and fired.

I screamed. The men rushed to hold me down, but I fought them, trying to get to my mother.

"Now for the lesson."

Vespera said, her voice gleeful, and I knew this wasn't over.

She pulled on gloves and a mask, holding a bottle in her hand. I didn't understand, couldn't make sense of what was happening, but I was too terrified to think.

One of the men spoke up. "Must you do this? She's going to die anyway."

"Hold her," she ordered. The men tightened their grip, and I struggled, but it was useless.

The liquid hit my skin, searing through me like fire. I screamed, the pain blinding. My skin bubbled, the smell of burning flesh filling the room.

"Dear sister, this is your true face. The acid won't kill you, but it'll show you who you really are. And I have to say... I really enjoy this."

Her laughter was the last thing I heard before everything went black.

As I slowly opened my eyes, the world seemed hazy and distorted. Something heavy pressed down on my face, making it difficult to breathe.

Panic surged through me as I gasped for air, struggling against the weight on my chest. With a sharp intake of breath, I sat up, wincing as pain shot through my body. My chest felt tight, constricted, as if wrapped in layers of bandages.

Fumbling with trembling hands, I reached up to touch my face, only to encounter more bandages. My whole face was bandaged except for my eyes and nose.

I was panicking as I looked around me, I was in the hospital. Before I could dwell on my thoughts, the door creaked open, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the room.

A nurse burst in, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the sight before her.

"Oh my God, she's awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Quick, someone call the doctor!"

Panic swirled in my chest, as she rushed toward me.

The nurse rushed over to my bedside; her hands gentle as she reached out to touch my arm.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and reassuring. "You need to relax; you've just woken up.' she said as she placed me down on the bed.

I tried to talk to her, to ask her what happened and where I was but no words came out as I tried to speak.

Just then, the door swung open once and the doctor entered the room presumed, judging by the white coat he wore.

"It's a miracle!" he exclaimed; his voice filled with awe as he approached my bedside.

"You're awake, and you're going to be just fine."

What had happened to me?

And why did my body feel so foreign, as if it no longer belonged to me?

It took hours before I could talk and the memories of what happened hit me. I cried and the nurses and doctors looked at me in pity.

"What happened to me?" I asked in a small voice.

"We're sorry dear, but you were brought here with a bullet in your chest and your face was burnt with acid, whoever did this to you didn't want you to be recognized," the nurse said as she looked at me.

My heart clenched at the news, as I looked at myself, I had lost a lot of weight, and I was skinny, and to add to that I lost my face, the impact of the news hit me.

"It's a miracle you survived, the bullet was only a few inches from you heart and the acid did not burn through your eyes," the doctor commented as I looked at him confused.

"How long have I been here, who brought me here?" I asked as I looked at the woman in front of me.

"I'm sorry, you have been here for two months, we didn't believe you would survive and the person who brought you will be here soon, so you need not worry," the nurse as my chest tightened.

"Was anyone found alongside me?" I asked as I cried.

"No, you were the only one that was brought to us," she informed me. I cried as I thought of my mother, she was dead, and how was I supposed to live now without her.

A week later I had plastic surgery on my face, as my face was completely damaged and my body looked better than it was when I woke up and cried myself to sleep every night.

I didn't see my savior, each time I asked nurses to dismiss me.

Six months passed by, and the day to take off my bandages came, I sat in front of the mirror in my hospital dress, as the doctor came in.

"Are you ready?" She asked me and I nodded as she reached forwards and took off the bandages. Once she was down a mirror was placed in front of me.

And I knew I looked different, and beautiful; I touched my face as I wept.it felt good to be beautiful.

"Ma'am, there is someone here to see you" a nurse said and before I said a word a woman walked into the room.

I haven't had any visitors since I came here for month, and I was speechless as I watched the woman walked towards me. I knew I haven't seen her before, and I was curious.

"Who are you," I asked as she sat down next to me.

She claimed, "I am the one who rescued you from the clutches of death," and I narrowed my gaze at her. It was evident from her extravagant attire and designer accessories that she was wealthy.

"Why would you go to such lengths to help me when we are complete strangers? Why spend a fortune on my behalf?" I inquired, although I realized my question may have come across as impolite. Nevertheless, I was genuinely curious to understand her motives.

"Good manners, my dear, dictate that you should express gratitude. And, of course, I have my own reasons for helping you," she responded, causing me to bow my head in shame. I regretted speaking to her in such a manner, yet my curiosity persisted.

"Please forgive me, but I am unsure how to adequately express my gratitude. However, if there is anything I can do for you, I would be more than willing to assist," I whispered, as she gazed at me and let out a sigh.

"There is indeed something you can assist me with," she revealed, causing me to look at her with uncertainty. What could I possibly offer her? I was considered dead to everyone, as the nurse had informed me that news had spread about my escape from home after the tragic incident involving my mother's death.

"What is it that you require my help with?"

She rose from her seat and approached me.

"I granted you a second chance at life, instilled hope within you, but now I want you to do something for me," she whispered, her eyes fixed on mine.

"I am willing to do anything to repay your kindness," I declared, to which she responded with a smirk.

"Excellent. I want you to bring down the Castillo family. I want your bitterness and pain to fuel your ambitions in seeking justice. I know you desire to see your sister and Max Castillo pay for what they have done to you, especially since he was the mastermind behind the tragedy that befell you and your mother."

I stared back at her. I knew my sister had an affair with him, she showed me the picture, but hearing he was the mastermind did something to me.

How did she know all these?

Who was she?

"Who are you", I asked in fear as I stood up and walked away from her, scared of what she was, and who she was.

"You don't need to know my identity, just accept the deal and refer to me as Eve," she stated, and I directed my gaze towards her.

It has been eight months since that incident. When I listed everything, under the control of my sister. Revenge never crossed my mind due to the overwhelming fear and trauma caused by that event. The mere thought of it sent shivers down my spine. Moreover, it would be sheer madness to oppose the Castillo family.

"If you intended to manipulate me as a pawn in your game, you wasted your time. Going against the Castillo family is madness, and you are well aware of it," I replied, averting my eyes from her.

"I know you are frightened. I can perceive the fear in your eyes. However, there is no need for you to remain that scared girl anymore. Look at yourself now," she said, embracing me and turning me towards the mirror.

"You are beau, different, don't you want to avenge your mother's death, why relax and let your sister win, she would never see you coming after all she thinks you are dead," the woman said and her words stroked anger into my heart.

The woman's words struck a chord deep within me, igniting a fire of anger that I had suppressed for far too long. She was right, I couldn't just sit back and let my sister win. I needed to avenge my mother's death and make her pay for taking away the person I loved the most.

"But how do we take down someone as powerful as Max Castillo?"

The woman smirked, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief.

"There is one person that even Max Castillo bows to," she revealed, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Silvio Castillo, the Don of the Castillo family."

Four months had passed, marking a year since the events unfolded. Throughout those remaining four months, I dedicated myself to preparation and ensuring I was fully equipped to exact my revenge.

My vengeance was not solely directed towards my sister or her husband, but extended to the entire Castillo family. Although I had limited knowledge about the woman who had saved me, I understood her desire for Silvio Castillo's demise, and I had been entrusted with the task of carrying out that mission.

For the first time in my life, I recognized my own beauty, surpassing my previous self. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, adorned in a maid's attire, knew I had to get to Silvio no matter what.

"Hey, you shouldn't be doing that. We need to leave before the boss returns," one of the maids whispered urgently. We were currently tidying up the boss's room.

The walls were painted a somber shade of grey, and a grand king-size bed occupied the center of the room. A wardrobe filled with dark dresses stood nearby.

"Hey, do you think the boss has a fascination with mafia-style dresses like these?" I inquired, addressing the maid whose name remained unknown to me.

"Shut up and work, we are left with ten minutes if we are to get out of here alive," she snapped at me, I rolled my eyes at her as I went back to cleaning the nonexistent dust in the table.

I observed her as hastily scrubbing the floor, and I knew she wanted to be out of here as soon as possible.

Soon her eyes darted towards me as she gestured for us to vacate the room.

Casually, I dropped a broom behind, without her notice. I knew I needed to take the risk to come back here when the boss was around, I was desperate and I was willing to take the risk.

"What time will the boss be home?" I inquired, as we walked out of the room to the corridor.

"A few hours from now, and trust me, you'd want to be gone before he arrives," she warned, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Why are you so afraid of him?" I inquired; my curiosity piqued by her evident fear.

"He shows no regard for the maids, or anyone for that matter, especially his own men. And unfortunately, you might become a target of his anger if you are around him," she admitted, her voice filled with resignation, before vanishing into the servant quarters.

"Why do you continue to endure his mistreatment, along with the others?" I asked, struggling to understand her willingness to tolerate such abuse.

"We have no other option," she confessed, her tone tinged with resignation. "This job is our only source of income, no matter how demeaning it may be. The pay is decent, and no one wants to miss out on that," she muttered, gazing at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"So, what's your name?" I asked her as we reached the servant quarters.

"Helen," she responded as she walked into the servant quarters with the tools. I stood back as I looked back the hallway.

This was absolute madness, I realized. I had been stuck here for weeks, unable to catch even a glimpse of the boss. Eve was growing restless, and I completely understood why. She had invested so much in making me stand out, and she couldn't bear it when I acted like a coward.

But now, I had to face my fears. I had to confront the man who always sent shivers down my spine. I hid behind a pillar for what felt like an eternity, until I heard the thunderous sound of footsteps approaching.

And in no time, I knew it was him. He had returned. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I emerged from my hiding spot and made my way towards his room.

My heart pounded in my chest as I got closer. I could see his men, armed with pistols, giving me stern glares.

"Where do you think you're going?" one of the men snapped at me, his voice making me flinch.

"I'm sorry, I left a broom in that room, I need to get it so it wouldn't anger the boss," I responded in a small voice as I looked at my feet, while pretending to be shivering in fear.

"Our new aren't you, you would know maids aren't allowed in this part of the halls by this time, return to your quarters' ' he snapped at me, and I looked up at him.

"Relax Sam. Let her go though, it's just a broom she wants to get," one of the men said as he filed his eyes and I saw that as I meant to step forward.

"The boss will deal with her" the man muttered in a low voice with a small laugh, but I heard it. I took a deep breath as I opened the room and stepped in.

I couldn't see anyone, and I sighed as I walked toward the location I kept the broom, just as I was about to pick it, the bathroom doors were thrown opens

"What the fuck are you doing in here?" I heard a voice behind me say, a shiver ran down my spine at how beautifully deep the voice was and I turned to look at him.

The first thing I saw was his manhood, and I flinched as his nakedness hits me, before I looked at his face. I was expecting to see an old ugly man who was scared to show his face to the world and his staffs, after all no one knew him and saw his face only his name.

But before me was the most handsome man I had ever seen. He had a scar that ran down his eyes, giving him a rough look, tattoos decorated his body as he stood there glaring at me.

And finally, he had long black hair that fell toward his shoulders, which gave him a handsome look. And then the most unique features were his stormy grey eyes, that seemed to call out to me.

I was speechless for seconds as my eyes widened. He was beautiful, and when he walked toward me, I stood there, as if frozen.

Soon I felt his hand on my neck, as he dragged me toward him.

"I said, what are you doing in here," he asked roughly snapping me out of my trance and I knew I was fucked.Last chapter