Chapter 4

That night, we returned home. My body felt like it was about to collapse. My legs ached from standing all day, my shoulders throbbed from carrying bags and boxes nonstop. My head felt heavy, but I was still the last to get out of the car, making sure I had brought everything inside.

My aunt opened the door with excitement, almost hopping in place. "Oh my God, I still can't believe it! My daughter actually won!"

My uncle laughed broadly, something I rarely saw. "I told you, Elena really is amazing."

Elena walked in last, full of confidence. She slipped off her shoes and dropped her small bag onto the sofa as if this house were her stage. Her face was glowing, her phone constantly vibrating with incoming messages.

"Three agencies contacted me right away. One skincare contract, one clothing brand, and another for a health drink advertisement."

My aunt patted her own chest. "God is truly fair. All of Mom's suffering was paid back today."

I stood near the door, still holding the large bags. No one noticed me.

"The guest of honor even mentioned my name to the organizers," Elena said.

My uncle turned quickly. "Alexandro?"

Elena nodded with a small smile. "He said I have potential."

My aunt almost screamed with joy as I slowly set the bags down on the floor. My hands trembled from exhaustion. I just wanted to go to my room, lie down, and disappear from all these voices, but footsteps approached.

"Elena, don't stand too long. You're tired," my aunt said.

"I'm not tired. Today was wonderful."

I had just turned when Elena was already standing in front of me. She looked me over from head to toe. Her gaze was unhurried, as if assessing something that did not belong there.

"You look very tired," she said, pressing on the last word.

I nodded faintly. "Yes."

She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms. "That's normal. Carrying things all day must be heavy for a body that big."

I lowered my head.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be able to stand in a place like that. So many important people, so many cameras. Good thing you know your place, just standing in the corner."

I bit my lip.

"Elena," my aunt scolded halfheartedly, but her tone did not truly stop her.

Elena smiled slightly. "I'm just being honest, Mom."

She stepped closer.

"Can you see my dress? It's small, and everyone says my body is ideal."

She looked at my face. "And you, forget a stage gown. Even a maid's uniform looks tight on you."

I lifted my face slightly. "I want to go to my room."

Elena laughed softly. "Of course. The stage world isn't for everyone."

She turned away, then added without looking back, "Oh yes, thank you for carrying my things. At least that's something you can do well."

I stood frozen for a few seconds before finally walking away. In my cramped room, I closed the door slowly. My body immediately collapsed onto the edge of the bed. I struggled to take off my shoes, then leaned my head against the wall. Their laughter was still audible from the front room. Suddenly, my bedroom door opened abruptly.

"Uncle?"

My uncle stood in the doorway. His face was flat, too calm, far from the face of the man who had looked happy earlier because of his daughter's victory. Reflexively, my hand went up to my neck.

"I will not give this necklace for any reason."

"Go to the living room now."

His tone left no room for refusal. I stood up on trembling legs, still clutching the necklace, and followed him out of the room. My aunt sat on the sofa, Elena beside her, still wearing makeup that had not been fully removed. Their smiles had not faded.

My uncle stood in front of us.

"There is something Dad needs to say," he said.

My aunt frowned. "Why so serious? Isn't today a happy day?"

"Yes, Dad. We can talk tomorrow."

"No," my uncle answered firmly. "Now."

We sat down. I took my place at the end of the sofa, as usual, trying to make myself small.

My uncle took a long breath. "Alexandro De Luca will marry a woman in this house."

My aunt fell silent, then her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"That is the condition for paying off my debt," Uncle said.

"Elena won the pageant. The money..."

"It's not enough. Even if all her contracts are paid out, it's still not enough."

Elena slowly smiled. "Marriage? To a man like him? I don't mind."

My aunt immediately turned to her. "Elena?"

"Why not? He's rich, powerful, and handsome." She glanced at me briefly, then looked back at my uncle. "I can handle him."

My uncle shook his head slowly.

"Not you, Elena."

Elena laughed softly. "Daddy is joking?"

My uncle turned his head.

"The one Alexandro chose is not Elena. He chose Lucia."

My ears rang. "What?"

My aunt stood up abruptly. "Are you insane? He's joking, right?"

Elena slowly turned toward me. Her smile vanished, replaced by disbelief. "Her?"

My uncle looked at me. "He saw the photo, and he chose."

I stood up on trembling legs. "I don't agree. I don't want this."

"That is not a request. It's an agreement," Uncle said.

"She isn't even worthy," Elena said.

My chest felt tight. "Why me?"

My uncle did not answer right away.

"Whatever it is, I don't want it," I said.

My uncle stepped closer. "You will meet him tonight."

I shook my head hard. "No."

My uncle stopped right in front of me. "His car is already waiting."

"He chose you?" Elena asked.

Elena slowly stood up from the sofa, her steps measured as she approached me. Her eyes scanned my body from my face down to my legs, as if confirming something.

"Dad, this isn't funny."

My uncle remained silent.

Elena looked at me again.

"Her?" she repeated. "A fat girl who can't even look people in the eye?"

I swallowed. "I didn't ask for this."

"Of course not. You're not even brave enough to ask for anything," she said mockingly.

She stood right in front of me now. I could smell her expensive perfume, a sharp contrast to the sweat and exhaustion still clinging to my body.

"Do you know why I don't believe it? Because a man like Alexandro De Luca can get any woman he wants." She pointed at my face. "And clearly not a face like that."

I clutched my necklace, my fingers trembling.

She turned to my uncle. "Daddy really believes that man chose her? Did he see the photo clearly?"

"I was there. He knew exactly who he chose," my uncle replied.

Elena laughed loudly, a laugh that held no joy at all.

"Why?" she asked, now looking at me with narrowed eyes. "What do you have, Lucia?"

She pointed at my body. "Your body? No."

She pointed at my face. "Your face? Clearly not."

She slowly circled me, like a predator surrounding its prey. "You don't even have confidence. You always look down when you stand. When you walk, it's like you want to disappear."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

"A man like him doesn't marry a woman like you. And if he does, it's only to play with you," Elena said.

I opened my eyes. "I don't want to marry him."

Elena stopped in front of me. "Oh, of course you do."

"What?" I was startled.

She smiled crookedly. "You always do whatever you're told, right? Told to clean, you clean. Told not to eat, you stay quiet. Told to disappear, you disappear."

She leaned closer. "Now told to marry a wealthy mafia man? You must think this is a gift from God."

I shook my head hard. "No. I'm scared."

"Stop pretending, or maybe you've wanted this for a long time?"

Those words made my aunt stand up. "Elena!"

"What?" Elena turned. "I'm just wondering. Out of so many beautiful women out there, why did he choose a fat girl who has nothing?"

She looked at me again, this time with a mocking smile. "You're not even worthy to stand beside him."

I took a deep breath, trying not to cry. "I never asked to be born like this."

Elena clicked her tongue. "Excuses."

My uncle finally spoke. "Enough."

Elena turned sharply. "Daddy wants me to be quiet?"

"This has been decided, whether you like it or not," Uncle said.

Elena looked at me again.

"If you really marry him, never think you've won."

I stayed silent.

"You're just his toy, and when he's bored, you'll be thrown away like trash."

I stared at the floor. Tears finally fell, one by one, onto the back of my hand. Elena turned and walked toward the stairs, but before going up, she stopped and looked back.

"Lucia, remember one thing," she said.

I slowly lifted my face.

"The world of men like Alexandro De Luca is not a world for women like you."

She went upstairs without waiting for an answer. The living room fell silent again. I stood trembling, still clutching my mother's necklace.

My uncle looked at the wall clock. "We don't have much time."

I turned to him. "What do you mean, Uncle?"

He picked up his jacket. "Alexandro doesn't like to wait."

Outside, the sound of a car stopping could be heard. Headlights shone through the living room window, bright and blinding.

My uncle opened the door.

"They've arrived," he said.