Chapter 1

Aria's POV

The rain poured heavily over the city as I stepped out of the small café where I worked as a waitress. My body ached from standing for hours, but I couldn't complain because every dollar I earned was for my younger brother, Leo. Since our parents passed away years ago, we only had each other. No matter how difficult life became, I always promised myself that I would protect him. Little did I know that promise would be tested before the night was over.

As I walked toward the bus stop, I reached into my bag to count the money I had earned from today's shift. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to buy groceries for dinner. Just as I slipped the money back into my purse, my phone began to ring. The number on the screen was unfamiliar, and for a moment, I considered ignoring it. Something deep inside me, however, told me to answer the call.

"Hello?" I said softly.

"If you want to see your brother alive again, come to Pier Seventeen alone."

The voice was cold and emotionless. Before I could ask who he was or what he wanted, the call ended. My heart pounded violently against my chest as I quickly dialed Leo's number. The call went straight to voicemail. I tried again and again, but it was the same every time. Fear slowly replaced every bit of hope inside me.

Without wasting another second, I stopped the nearest taxi and gave the driver the address. During the ride, I couldn't stop praying that this was all some terrible mistake. Leo was a kind and honest young man who stayed away from trouble. He dreamed of becoming an engineer one day and worked hard every single day to make me proud. There was no reason anyone would want to hurt him.

When the taxi finally stopped outside an abandoned warehouse, my legs felt weak. I forced myself to get out and slowly pushed open the rusty metal door. The moment I stepped inside, several men dressed in black suits turned to look at me. In the center of the warehouse sat Leo, tied to a chair with bruises on his face. The sight shattered my heart.

"Aria!" Leo shouted desperately. "Don't listen to them! Just leave!"

Before I could run toward him, one of the guards blocked my path. A well-dressed man stepped forward, placing a thick file on the table before me. "Your brother borrowed one hundred thousand dollars from us," he said calmly. I immediately shook my head. "No. My brother would never do that." The man opened the file and pushed the papers toward me. Leo's signature was clearly printed on every page.

Tears blurred my vision as I looked at my brother. He lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "They tricked me. They told me I was signing internship documents. I didn't know it was a loan agreement." I felt my heart break, but blaming him wouldn't solve anything. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to the man standing before me.

"Please," I begged. "Give me some time. I'll repay every cent. Just don't hurt my brother."

The man let out a small laugh before checking his expensive wristwatch. "Twenty-four hours. If you fail to bring my money, you'll never see your brother alive again." His words struck me like lightning. Before I could plead again, two guards escorted me out of the warehouse, and the heavy door slammed shut behind me, leaving me alone in the pouring rain.

I spent the next several hours calling everyone I knew, hoping someone could help me. Friends, former colleagues, distant relatives—every call ended in disappointment. Some apologized because they didn't have enough money, while others stopped answering my calls completely. By midnight, I had completely run out of options.

Exhausted, I sat alone on a wooden bench in a quiet park, staring at the wet ground beneath my feet. My tears mixed with the rain as hopelessness slowly consumed me. Just then, the bright headlights of several luxury cars illuminated the dark street. Three black vehicles stopped in front of me one after another, and men dressed in black suits quickly stepped out before opening the rear door of the middle car.

A tall man slowly emerged.

His black suit fit him perfectly, and his sharp gray eyes carried a calm authority that demanded attention without a single word. Every bodyguard lowered his head respectfully as he walked toward me. He stopped only a few feet away, studying my tear-stained face before quietly removing his suit jacket and holding it out to me.

"You'll catch a cold," he said.

I looked at him in surprise, unable to understand why a complete stranger would show me such kindness. I accepted the jacket with trembling hands, and the warmth wrapped around my cold body almost instantly. Looking into his eyes, I couldn't explain why my racing heart suddenly felt strangely calm.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

The bodyguard standing beside him answered before he could speak.

"This is Mr. Dante Moretti... the Mafia King."

My breath caught in my throat.

Everyone in the city knew the name Dante Moretti. Some called him a billionaire, while others whispered that he ruled the underworld with an iron fist. No one dared to cross him, and those who did were never heard from again. Yet the man standing before me looked calm, his sharp gray eyes fixed on mine as though he could see every fear I was trying to hide.

"You know who I am," he said in a low, steady voice.

I swallowed nervously and nodded. "Y-Yes."

"Then you also know I don't waste my time."

He took another step closer, his gaze never leaving my face. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it.

"I know your brother is in danger," he continued. "I can have him released tonight."

Hope flickered inside me, but I forced myself to stay cautious. "Why would you help a stranger?"

A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.

"Because I need something only you can give me."

I frowned, confused. "What do you want from me?"

His expression turned serious as he looked directly into my eyes.

"I want you to marry me."

For a  moment, the world around me fell silent.