⚠️ WARNING : This Chapter contains scenes of domestic violence and gore that might trigger some of you all. Read at your own risk !

Walking the red carpet alongside my father, the crowd erupted into applause—a sea of mafias, their allegiance displayed proudly. But amidst the chaos, I focused on the bouquet of white roses in my hands, a fleeting distraction from the reality surrounding me.

Half of the guests were notorious gangsters, unapologetically flaunting their power. The other half masqueraded as noble, their facades barely concealing their true intentions. Among them, my father's hand, the same hand that had struck my mother, filled me with disgust. And the hand that had once struck me, a painful memory, caused me to bite my lip as I clenched my father's hand tightly, seeking solace in his presence.

The strain was evident in his expression as he looked at me with a mixture of anger and pain, a silent acknowledgment of our shared suffering.

The wedding hall exuded opulence, adorned with lavish floral arrangements beneath glittering chandeliers. At the altar stood the priest and my future husband, Salvatore Ricci.

"I...choose marriage instead of death..." I whispered, perplexed by the genuine smile on Salvatore's face. Why is he smiling? his expression puzzles me as he gazes upon me, his eyes alight with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. It's as if I'm the epitome of perfection in his eyes, a notion that both intrigues and unsettles me. His smile, so genuine and warm, reminds me of something my teacher once said: "Find someone who looks at you like you're the answer to all their prayers." Yet, in this moment, I can't help but wonder what lies beneath that charming facade. Is his smile genuine, or is it merely a mask concealing darker intentions? As I ponder these questions, uncertainty grips my heart, casting a shadow over the fragile alliance that binds us together.

But as I contemplated the years of endurance that lay ahead, a sense of tension crept over me. Clutching the bouquet tightly, I felt a drop of blood trickle down my hand—a stark reminder of the sacrifices I was about to make.

Her Wedding gown:

His Wedding Suit:

Present-

I slipped into my white coat and headed to the pharmacy, ready to begin another day of work. Checking in the preparation room, I meticulously noted down the medicines and supplies in my computer. The sound of the door closing drew my attention, and I stepped out to see a familiar face.

"Miss Valentina, you're early again," the woman greeted me.

"Hello," I replied, offering her a smile as she placed a cup of coffee on the counter before me.

"I really trust you and your work," she continued, and as I delved into the files before me, she began recounting an encounter she'd had earlier.

"Miss, I was parking my car when I saw this guy dressed like a gangster in front of the elevator," she explained. "He was wearing a black suit with gold chains and rings, tattoos covering his arms. He had that old gangster vibe—cool, yet intimidating. It felt like I could die if I got in his way."

Just as she finished her story, the door swung open, and a figure fitting her description entered with a rough swagger, exuding an aura of malevolence.

"You got a nice place to hide," he sneered, his eyes boring into mine as I looked up in shock.

"I'm working, come back later," I replied, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling within me.

Anger flared in his eyes, and he roughly grabbed my hair, yanking me upright from my seat. "Fuck! What are you doing? Let go!" I exclaimed, struggling against his grip.

"Don't wanna. You'd escape me again. Tell me, are you going to run away again?" he growled, his grip unyielding as he tightened his hold.

"Hey, what are you doing? Who do you think you are?" Lily, the woman behind the counter, intervened, her voice trembling with fear.

Ignoring her, he turned his attention back to me. "I guess you don't know who Valentina Romano is. Is it because it's Positano?" he taunted, his grip tightening further.

"If you don't let her go, I'm gonna have to report you, mister," Lily threatened, her hands shaking as she reached for her phone.

"Put down your phone, okay? Before I fucking break your fingers," he snarled, his voice dripping with malice as Lily recoiled in fear.

"Tell her, Valentina, who I really am. She's worried," he demanded, his grip on my hair relentless.

"I am her older brother," he declared, his tone filled with superiority as I winced in pain.

"Sibling quarrels, you don't have to worry about us. Report me if you want to close your fucking business," he spat, releasing me with a shove.

"I'll be fine, Lily. I'll come back soon," I assured her, though shame burned within me as I avoided her gaze.

As he dragged me out into the alley, I clawed at his arms, drawing blood. With a scream of pain, he attempted to retaliate, but I held his arm firmly, meeting his gaze with a deadly glare.

"You haven't changed, Mateo. You still can't respect women," I seethed, my grip tightening on his bloody arm.

"How dare you say that?" he retorted, his voice laced with venom as we locked eyes in a tense standoff.

"State your business here," I demanded, combing my fingers through my hair.

"It's you. I need your help," he finally admitted, his tone softer, yet urgent.

"Get the fuck out of my face if you're going to speak nonsense," I snapped, my resolve wavering.

"If not, everyone will die," he uttered, his words striking fear into my heart.

"Mom, Dad, and everyone," he continued, and as I turned away, I felt the color drain from my face, my hands trembling with the weight of his words.

flashback memory-

Nine years had passed since I severed ties with my family upon entering college. I sought to carve out a life for myself, away from the shadows of the mafia world I was born into.

Endurance became my companion.

My grandfather, a notorious figure in the country, ran a clandestine operation under the guise of a construction business. He wielded his power ruthlessly, even exploiting loyal workers who sought his aid in acquiring land for development projects.

My father, serving under my grandfather's generation, was a different breed. He refused to be subservient, venturing into the construction industry on his own terms. His venture, Romano Construction, flourished, rivaling even the esteemed SR Construction.

Yet, beneath their polished façades, both companies were nothing more than corporate mafias, vying for control of the same territory. Their rivalry erupted into violence, claiming numerous lives and staining the Italian society with bloodshed for years to come.

For over two decades, they maintained a fragile truce, each keeping the other in check. But the emergence of a new player, AN Construction, shattered the delicate balance. With foreign capitalists backing their aggressive expansion, their incursion into our territory brought with it a wave of violence unlike anything we had seen before.

"We can't just ignore them," Alessandro Romano voiced his concern.

"No, we must nip this threat in the bud," Saintino Ricci concurred.

Under threat from a common enemy, the leaders of both families reluctantly agreed to an alliance, sealed by the marriage of their children.

The terms were clear: no violence toward each other during the marriage period, and a united effort to eliminate the third organization threatening their supremacy.

As tensions simmered and the stakes grew higher, a dangerous game of power and deception unfolded, with the fate of our families hanging in the balance.

Present-

"Val, please forgive your mother. If you can just endure it for three years," Rose pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she clutched my hands.

"Stop being clingy," Alessandro interjected callously. "It's just a marriage. What's there to cry about? Marriage is nothing special. When you get older, you can just marry a normal guy."

I shot my father a withering glare. Was he kidding me? I was being married off like some pawn in their twisted game. Why couldn't he marry Salvatore's father instead of trapping me in this contract? My poor self!

"Dad's right. Why did you have to beat me up?" Mateo chimed in, his voice laced with resentment.

"Look, you grabbed my arm and scratched it like you wanted to rip it off. I let you off just because you're a girl," Mateo continued, his tone dripping with condescension. "Or I would've beaten you into a pulp."

Every fiber of my being bristled with rage at his words. I imagined grinding him into a pulp and serving him to the dogs in the sewer. I clenched my fists, trying to contain the seething anger boiling inside me.

Unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere any longer, I closed my eyes, seeking solace on the couch.

"So, when can I see his son?" I demanded, my voice dripping with venom as I turned to my father, glaring at him as though I were ready to kill.

In this tense exchange, every word was laden with resentment and bitterness, as family ties strained under the weight of their dark past and uncertain future.

A/n: Readers how was it....i know her family is horrible but this is so normal except the mafia part ...anyways sorry if it triggers you all but I hope you vote above and also comment ...so excited ....remember the star above send me the votes and tag your fellow friends....