The Mafia Boss Forbidden Bride

Even before Elisa opened her eyes, she could tell she was in a hospital. The air smelled like disinfectant and faint sounds drifted in, the squeak of shoes on the floor, the rustle of curtains, and a soft voice speaking nearby. Slowly, she let her eyes open halfway. The bright light made her eyes sting, so she shut them again. After a moment, she tried once more, squinting until her gaze landed on a nurse standing at the foot of the bed, flipping through a chart.

"W-what happened?" Elisa asked, trying to sit up a little.

"Why am I here? What's going on?"

The nurse quickly placed the folder at the end of the bed and came closer, gently pressing a hand on Elisa's shoulder to ease her back.

"Miss Mancini, please try to stay calm. You're in the hospital. You were in a car accident two weeks ago and have been in a coma."

Elisa's heart gave a jolt. She frowned, but the movement made her head throb sharply. She touched her forehead and felt a thick bandage wrapped there. Hospital? Accident? Coma?

The words didn't feel real. But one thing stood out even more.

"What did you just call me?" she asked, blinking up at the nurse.

The nurse glanced nervously toward the hallway.

"Uhm... I think it's best if the doctor explains," she said before quickly walking out.

An accident? What accident? She looked down at herself under the hospital sheets. Her whole body ached, but nothing seemed broken-no casts, no braces. The worst pain came from her head, and she felt sick to her stomach, maybe from the meds in the IV dripping into her hand. She turned her face away, trying not to gag.

"Ah, you're finally awake." A man stepped. He wore a white coat and had a kind smile.

"That's very good news. We were starting to get a little worried."

Elisa squinted at the name tag.

"Dr... Morgan? What am I doing here? I don't understand."

The doctor gave her a calm, reassuring smile.

"You had a head injury, Elisa. It looks like you've lost some of your memory."

Her hand went to her head again as her brows pulled together.

"I... I have amnesia?"

He nodded.

"Yes, it seems like it. Can you tell me what day it is?"

Elisa paused, thinking hard. But she couldn't come up with anything. she shook her head.

"It's Monday," he replied gently. "May twenty third."

"Can you try and remember your birth year?" The doctor urged.

Elisa ransacked her head but it came up vacant. it felt like whenever she tries to bring up a memory, something pushes it down.

"Why can't I remember anything?" she whispered.

"It seems like your amnesia wiped your memory clean. It is rare but it happens." He told her calmly.

She stared at him, shocked.

"That can't be right. I've lost my entire life? That's crazy."

Dr. Morgan laid a hand over hers on the bed.

"I know this is confusing and scary. But don't panic. Memory loss like this can happen after trauma. You've been unconscious for some time, so everything may feel strange at first. Just take it slow. One step at a time, okay?"

She just nodded. It wasn't like she knew anything to say. But something entered her mind again.

"The nurse called me Miss Man.....Man...." She stammered trying to remember the foreign name.

"Mancini." The doctor supplied.

" Yes, that one. That's not my name."

" Do you remember your name?" The doctor asked with an eyebrow raised.

"No, but I just know that it isn't my name."

"You are definitely Mrs. Elisa Mancini," he added firmly.

"That's the name on your license, and your parents confirmed it when they came in."

"I have parents?" Elisa asked softly, puzzled. It shouldn't have surprised her... everyone had parents. But for some reason, it felt like new information.

"Of course you do," the doctor said gently.

"Are they here?"

"Not right now. They've been very busy, but they've checked on you often. They made me promise to let them know the moment you woke up."

"Oh," she said, a bit downcast.

"There's nothing to worry about, Miss Mancini. I'm sure they care a lot about you. They have just been busy with the wedding preparations." the nurse said, trying to sound comforting. But then her eyes went wide, realizing she had said something she wasn't supposed to. The doctor shot her a sharp look, and she quickly apologized, muttered something, and left the room.

"Wedding?" Elisa echoed, confused.

"Whose wedding?"

"Don't mind Sarah," the doctor said as the nurse left the room. "She tends to talk too much and say things she shouldn't."

Elisa frowned slightly. What did he mean by that? If her parents were planning a wedding, that meant someone close was getting married. But who? Was it her sibling? Did she even have a brother or sister? She didn't know. She didn't even know herself.

"Whose wedding?" she asked again, this time more firmly. She didn't know why she was so curious. It wasn't like she would recognize the name, even if they told her.

"That's not something you need to worry about right now," the doctor said gently. "What matters most is getting enough rest. You've just woken up from a coma. I'll come back to check on you later."

He gave her a small nod and left the room. Elisa watched him go, her eyes still slightly narrowed. Something about him made her uneasy. He hadn't said or done anything wrong, but the way he looked at her... it felt strange. She couldn't explain why, but her instincts were unsettled.

The room was quiet again. The soft hum of machines, the ticking of the wall clock, and the occasional beep from her monitor were the only sounds. Her head still felt heavy, and her body ached, but it was a dull ache now.

She lay there staring at the ceiling until her eyes began to flutter shut on their own. Her limbs relaxed, and her breathing slowed. Soon, sleep pulled her under again.

**************************************************

She didn't know how long she'd been asleep when the sound of voices stirred her. They weren't loud, but they weren't trying to whisper either. The voices were tense.

"When will she wake up?" a man said. His voice was deep and harsh, with a clear note of irritation. He sounded older, maybe in his fifties. "I've been sitting here long enough. I don't want to waste more time."

"Maybe just a few more minutes," another voice, the doctor, answered calmly.

"You told me she was awake," the man snapped. "Why would you call us here if she's just going to sleep again?"

"She was awake...for a short while," the doctor replied. "She's just resting now."

"Well, wake her up," the man said, clearly impatient.

"Patrick, please," came a woman's voice, soft and tired. "Let her sleep. We've waited this long... what's a few more minutes?"

"I'm just tired of being here," the man, Patrick, muttered. "I have other things to take care of."

"I understand, Mr. Mancini," the doctor said.

Mr. Mancini? Elisa's ears perked up. That's my last name... is he my father? Curiosity won out. She opened her eyes just a little, just enough to peek. Thankfully, no one noticed. She tried to focus on the man, but her vision was still a little blurry. His outline was strong, tall, broad shouldered. His arms were crossed.

"If you'd like to leave," the doctor continued, "you can. When she wakes again, I'll be sure to notify you earlier. I apologize for the wait."

Just then, the doctor turned toward her and caught sight of her barely open eyes.

"Oh, look. She's awake."

All heads in the room turned toward her. Caught, Elisa had no choice but to open her eyes fully.

Her gaze drifted from one face to another. She was about to focus on the man who might be her father, but her attention stopped on the woman standing near him.

She was beautiful, so beautiful Elisa couldn't look away. Red hair framed her face, and her blue eyes sparkled even without light. Something about her struck Elisa immediately. She didn't know how she knew, but she just did: this was her mother.

The woman's lips curved into a gentle smile. There was warmth in it, real warmth, but also something sad. As if the smile was hiding an apology. She stepped forward and sat gently beside Elisa on the bed. Her fingers brushed back Elisa's hair, soft and slow.

"Oh, my darling," the woman whispered, her voice shaky. "You're awake. I thought I might never hear your voice again. How are you feeling?"

Elisa wanted to answer, but her throat was dry. "Better," she managed, still staring at the woman.

"Thank heavens," the woman said softly. "I was so afraid... You must be more careful while driving. I could've lost you."

"I'm sorry," Elisa replied quietly.

She couldn't stop staring at the woman's red hair, hoping it would jog her memory but nothing came.

"Do you remember me?" the woman asked, watching her closely.

Elisa shook her head slowly.

Oddly, the woman looked relieved. "That's all right," she said. "You'll remember eventually."

She gave Elisa's hand a squeeze.

"I'm Elizabeth Mancini. I'm your mother," she said, then turned and pointed to the man who stood a little farther away. "And that's Patrick Mancini-your father."

Elisa turned her gaze toward him. He stood stiffly, arms still crossed. His face was unreadable, lips tight, jaw clenched. He had blond hair with streaks of grey, and cold grey eyes that stared right at her. He wore a black suit, sharp and neat.

He didn't speak.

"Hi," Elisa said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't answer. He didn't nod. He didn't move. He just kept looking at her, as if studying something behind her eyes. The silence in the room grew heavier. Even the doctor looked uncomfortable, glancing between Elisa and her father like he was bracing for something.

A strange chill crawled down Elisa's arms. For a reason she couldn't explain, she felt uneasy-almost frightened. Her mother must have noticed because she reached out and took Elisa's hand again, bringing it close and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

"Don't worry about him," her mother whispered so only Elisa could hear. "He's just not good at showing how he feels. He was terrified when you got hurt... and he's angry that you were being careless behind the wheel."

Elisa swallowed. "How did the accident happen?"

"You crashed into a tree," her mother said. "It was a miracle you weren't badly hurt."

Elisa hesitated. The question had been sitting in her chest since she woke up. "Did anyone ... die?"

"No, sweetheart," her mother said quickly, and Elisa sighed in relief.

There was a pause.

"How long have I been here?" Elisa asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Before her mother could say more, her father suddenly spoke, his voice cold and flat.

"Two weeks. You've wasted enough time already. My phone hasn't stopped ringing since you were brought here. The Bellucci's are refusing to delay the wedding again. As soon as the doctor clears you, we're leaving. Stefano will back out if you don't show up. You know how he is. He's been waiting for a reason to cancel it. Why give him one?"

Elisa blinked, confused. Her curiousty about the wedding shot up. Except this time, it was coupled with a chill. Now, she was scared when she asked again. "Wedding? Whose wedding?"

Her mother didn't speak. Her father did.

"Yours."

Elisa was discharged the following day.

Her mother came to pick her up alone-her father didn't come. Two tall, broad men dressed in black suits and dark sunglasses stood quietly at the door while she got ready. They didn't smile. They didn't speak. They just stood there, like shadows. They looked like bodyguards, and their presence made her uneasy.

Her mother brought clothes for her to wear: a light floral gown with thin straps, simple sandals, a pair of sunglasses, and a scarf. The scarf, she quickly realized, was meant to cover part of her face.

When she stepped out of the hospital building, she understood why.

The crowd outside was overwhelming. Dozens of people with cameras crowded the entrance. Flashes went off from every angle. Reporters shouted her name, trying to get her attention.

The lights were blinding. She couldn't see where she was walking. The lights made her squint even through the sunglasses, and her ears were buzzing from the noise. Panic started to rise in her chest, but the bodyguards quickly surrounded her and guided her toward a black SUV parked near the curb.

One of the men opened the back door for her, and she got in without looking back. Her mother slid in beside her. The door shut, and the car pulled away.

Elisa let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She leaned back against the seat, feeling dazed. The windows were tinted, but she could still see people outside chasing after the car, trying to get one last photo.

She turned to look at her mother, who was sitting straight, her posture calm and collected as if nothing unusual had happened. "Who were those people? Why were they waiting for me?"

Her mother gave her a small smile. "You're Elisa Mancini. Daughter of Patrick Mancini. Fiancée of Stefano Bellucci. Those names mean a lot in Chicago. Of course people want to see you, especially after the accident."

Elisa looked out the window again, watching the city blur by. "Is it always like that?"

"I'm sure it felt overwhelming, especially with your memory loss. But you'll get used to it."

"I don't think I want to get used to it."

Her mother chuckled softly. "Funny. You used to love the attention. You were the paparazzi's favorite. A true socialite."

Elisa fell quiet for a moment before asking, "What exactly do you and father do?"

Her mother paused before answering. "Your father is a politician. He also oversees the family business."

"And you?"

"I'm a housewife. I dedicated my life to raising you and supporting your father."

Elisa nodded slowly. "Do I have any siblings?"

Her mother shook her head. "No, you don't. You're our only child. Why are you asking?"

She shrugged. "Just curious. It's just that.... No one visited me in the hospital. Aside from you and Father." Elisa hesitated. " Don't I have friends."

"You do have friends," her mother said carefully. "But not many close ones."

"Did they ask about me?"

"They did."

"Then why didn't any of them come?"

"You haven't been awake very long."

"I've been awake for over 24 hours," Elisa pointed out. "Anyone who cared could've dropped by."

"Maybe they're busy."

"Too busy to visit someone who almost died?"

Her mother sighed. "Elisa, in our circles, friendships don't work the way you think. There are no real friends. Just people in the same social class. There isn't necessarily any form of emotion attached."

Elisa frowned. "Then what's the point? Why call them friends if no one really cares?"

"They're just people you go out with. People who appear with you in public. That's how it works."

There was another pause. Elisa looked down at her hands. She hated the silence. Then she finally asked what she'd been avoiding.

"What about my fiancé?"

Her mother gave her a side glance. "What about him?"

"He never came to visit."

"He's a very busy man."

"Too busy for the woman he's marrying in three days?" Elisa asked, watching her mother closely.

"I'm sure he has his reasons." Her mother replied, her voice thinner now.

"I don't want to marry him," Elisa said quietly, but firmly. She looked at her mother now, hoping to find softness there. Maybe she could reason with her. "Please, can we delay it? Just for a while? I don't even remember him. He's a stranger to me."

Her mother didn't respond right away. There was a long pause. Her mother's expression didn't change, but her fingers tightened slightly on the edge of her bag.

"You want to marry him," she said finally. "You just don't remember that right now."

"Then shouldn't we wait until I do remember? Elisa pressed. "This man is practically a stranger to me. I don't know anything about him. I don't even know what he looks like."

"That can be fixed. Once we get home, I'll show you photos, videos, anything you need. I'll gather all the files. Anything you need to know more about him."

Elisa looked at her, trying one more time. She softened her voice. "Mum..."

The word made her mother go still. It wasn't the reaction Elisa had expected. Her mother's face froze for a second, like a switch had flipped. She stared straight ahead.

"I... I'm sorry," Elisa said quickly.

Her mother turned to her, her voice cooler now. "I prefer to be called 'Mother.' That's what you've always called me. Anything else just feels... strange."

Elisa swallowed hard. Her chest felt tight.

"I'm just saying," she whispered, "if he really cared about me, even a little, he would've visited. I've been in a coma for two weeks. That's not nothing. He didn't even bother to see if I was alive."

"He was updated on your progress. There was no need for him to come himself. Like I said before,Mr Bellucci is a very busy man."

Elisa opened her mouth probably to argue again but her mother stopped her.

" Enough. I am tired of you acting like a child. There is no need for all these protests. It has already been decided on. There's nothing you can do to change it."

And like that, all thoughts of her having a mother-daughter bonding with this woman flew out of the window.

She stared at her mother, who had turned back to her window, a clear indication of her wish to not continue the topic. She wondered what relationship she previously had with her parents.