MARRY HIM?

Aria's POV.

"Hey, you okay?" I opened my eyes to see Ryan looking down at me with a worried gaze, his hand reaching for mine on the bed.

I nodded, looking around to realize that I was in a hospital ward, with a drip attached to my arm. I looked out the window and noticed it was nightfall.

I tried speaking but ended up coughing badly as my throat burned, my lips dry from lack of moisture.

Ryan hurriedly grabbed a bottle of water from the table next to him and handed it to me. He helped me sit up before feeding me the water, which I gulped down hungrily.

"Thank you." I finally managed to speak and he patted my head gently.

"How long have I been out?" I asked and he smirked.

"Hours." His words brought back memories of Lucien trying to kill me, and I shut my eyes, lying back down on the bed.

So Ria was truly dead and I didn't die? Perhaps I should have, and Lucien would have peace, but then my family would be sad.

"Where are Mum and Dad? Hope they were not too worried?" I inquired and the smirk on Ryan's face vanished immediately.

"They were and would have been with you until you woke up, but then Don Luciano requested to see them," Ryan answered, and I gasped.

He wanted to see them? Why?

Just then, the door to the ward burst open with Mum, Dad, and Kelvin walking in.

"My poor baby." Mum immediately dashed to my side upon seeing that I was awake, kissing me all over my face.

"Do you feel hurt anywhere? I am so sorry this happened to you." Mum hugged me tightly and I smiled weakly.

"I am good, Mum," I assured her before looking over at my dad who just stared at me blankly like he was trying to hold back his emotions.

"I am sorry I couldn't protect you from him, fast enough, Aria." Kelvin sighed as he sat down beside me on the bed.

"It's alright, it's not your fault." I squeezed his hand in comfort, relieved to have my family safe and complete beside me.

Luckily, Lucien did not think about eliminating one of them just to get back at me for Ria's death.

"Ryan mentioned that Don Luciano wanted to see you two?" 

Mum went pale at my words while Dad folded his hands across his chest.

"Yes." 

"But why?" 

"He wants you to marry Lucien and the wedding is to take place in 48 hours, at the latest," Dad revealed, and my lips parted in surprise.

That oldie was being serious?

"Shut up Roberto, this is not the time, she just woke up." My mum scolded him and Dad scoffed.

"We just have 48 hours left, Yvanka. When is it going to be the perfect time?" He half-yelled, and Mum went quiet.

"But he is Ria's husband. I can't marry him after having a hand in her death." I told Dad, and Mum frowned at me.

"How many times would I tell you that her death wasn't your fault?" Kelvin got up from my side and I could tell he was mad at me.

"Your brother is right Aria, don't blame yourself." Mum stroked my face and I bit my lower lip hard.

"But still, he is 10 years older than me."I reminded them just in case they had forgotten and the room went silent.

"If you don't want to marry him because of that, then it is fine, we will find a way," Mum said and I would have believed her if I didn't witness Dad's annoyed expression.

"Unfortunately we don't have that luxury. Aria, it's either you marry him or there is going to be war. It's the reason for this marriage in the first place." Dad told me and I stiffened.

"W-what d-do you m-mean?" I stuttered.

"You know the Moretti are the largest and most powerful Mafia syndicate." Dad began and I nodded, paying attention to him.

"Roberto," Mum called with a warning in her tone, and Dad scowled.

"I don't have a choice, Yvanka, we can't hide the real truth or the outside world from her forever," Dad screamed and I flinched.

What was going on? What truth? What doesn't Mum want me to know?

"Aria, an unknown Mafia syndicate appeared out of nowhere, with no history but surprisingly has the same manpower as the Moretti, if not more," Dad revealed, and my jaw dropped.

"But that can't be possible. The Moretti goes way back." I whispered and Dad walked closer to me.

"We thought the same too until the Moretti started suffering large hits, losing great deals and shipments," Ryan told me, and Mum sighed.

"It was like a dream. Other Mafia leaders who had grudges against the Moretti even started teaming up with the rival, hoping the Moretti would be brought to its downfall." 

"What is this new Mafia syndicate known as and who is running it?" I questioned, and my father shrugged.

"No one knows Aria. The leader is mysterious, so is their name, but they are being referred to as shadows for the moment." Dad answered and my heart skipped a beat.

"When Don Luciano realized that some families were turning against him, he decided to go after some other families who were on their own to be his allies." Kelvin began.

"Like us, the Delucas who run Chicago but originate from Italy, so we have no choice but to be loyal to the Moretti since our forefathers already swore loyalty to them and we stick by our oath." Ryan finished.

"If we are loyal to them, then why do I still need to marry into the family?" I narrowed my eyes at them in confusion.

"Because Luciano doesn't trust us. I originally refused the proposal, but then you somehow had sex with Lucien, and despite trying to bury that, almost the whole syndicate is aware of that now." Father replied and my heart started to pound heavily against my chest as my palms grew sweaty.

Who else would let everyone know if not Don Luciano? Now everything made sense, why he drugged me and killed Ria. Lucien probably refused to marry me so he did all of these to give he and my father no choice but to agree to his terms.

"He believes father wouldn't dare betray him if he had you, his treasure, in his palm," Kelvin spoke up, his jaw tightening.

"So Aria, we have no choice, you have no choice, you have to marry Lucien," Dad murmured and I wanted to break down.

"But he hates me, he wanted to kill me," I shuddered, remembering his icy blue eyes filled with hate.

"There is a way around that," Dad said as he took my hand in his.

"What?"

"You make him fall in love with you so he gets rid of the hate he has for you," Dad responded, and

my blood turned cold because how exactly do I make a man who believes I killed his wife have feelings for me?