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ROSA'S POV.

For days, after I was unceremoniously sent out of the Ferrari mansion, I had been at my maternal cousin; Agatha's place.

I was finally pulled out of my hiding place, when I saw the recent news flying everywhere on the internet. My father had officially announced my marriage to Marco Russo without my consent.

As I walked into the living room, my father looked up at me in disappointment. Very much expected.

"The prodigal daughter finally returns home." Alina dramatically clapped, and I watched in silence as my stepsister; Laura, glared at me.

"You published news of my marriage to Marco?" I found the courage to speak, my heart beating so fast. This was the first time I was standing up to them about anything.

"That's because you are getting married to him." Alina nodded, standing from where she had been sitting.

"I will not... marry him." I muttered, looking down.

My head suddenly flung to the side, under the impact of her palm. She had slapped me, and it hurt so bad.

I held my cheek immediately, rubbing on it to reduce how much it stung, while my father just remained on his seat, acting like I didn't just get hit by his wife.

This was not the first time she was hitting me, but it was definitely the first time he was watching her do so. Couldn't he stand up for me? Didn't I deserve that much?!

Painful tears stung my eyes, when I saw Laura smiling to herself.

"11 years ago, when my husband brought home his bastard daughter, unlike every other wife, I accepted you in my home. Your junkie mother never cared about or wanted you, but I....."

"You never cared for, or wanted me either." I blandly cut her off, making her eyes go wide in shock. The tears in my eyes threatened to drop, but then and there, I vowed never to let her see me weak again.

"How dare you speak to my wife that......" My father was still speaking, when I cut him off.

"So what do I stand to gain?" I asked.

"Huh?" He scowled.

"You hate me. You have never regarded or treated me as your daughter. You make me feel privileged for every single thing you have done for me. I never chose to be born by you, neither did I make you cheat on your wife. But you have only ever treated me with disdain. I have nothing to gain from this marriage, so I wouldn't go ahead with it." I finished, looking him in the eyes.

I had made the tough decision, and I knew what that meant. I may no longer answer the Collombo family name, after today.

But I was ready. My mind was made. I wouldn't let them shove me around anymore, all for that one surname.

Everywhere was silent for a while, and I figured they were all trying to get over their shock. They would have never believed I would ever have the guts to do such.

"Oh?" He eventually let out a dark chuckle. "You've suddenly grown guts, huh?" He asked. "Who gave them to you? That Ferrari lady you hang around?"

"I have lost my only friend, because of you both!" I burst out, the tears seriously threatening to drop from my eyes.

"I see that her brother has gotten news of your engagement to Marco." He chuckled, making my heart twist painfully.

"Since you so badly want Russo's vote, why not let him marry Laura? She's your daughter too, not so?" I challenged. I had least expected he would give me a second slap on the other side of my face. But he did.

"Only if she were as worthless as you are." Came his response, and the tears eventually fell from my eyes.

I couldn't believe he'd actually say that to me. I always knew he had felt that way, but saying it was a totally different thing.

"Yesterday, a call came in from the metropolis." He said. "Your shameless mother has been jailed for battery and assault against the wife of one of her numerous boyfriends. Asides that, some hard drugs were found in her possession. I'm sure you would understand that better, being the very reason why I was given custody of you in the first place."

"What?" I whispered.

No, she didn't.

"Yes, Emily." He nodded, a smirk on his face. "For the battery and assault charges, she could be bailed with a fine. Money that she most certainly doesn't have. But for possession of hard drugs, trust that your mother is going to be in jail for a minimum of six years."

Oh God.

"I have always saved her sorry ass, but not this time. Not if you decide to do things your own way. If you want your mother to survive this round, then you do as I say."