A Wife in Name, A Stranger in Soul

~~ROMANO MANSION~~9:00 a.m.

Mariana sat on the edge of the bed, clutching her phone in her hand. She glanced around the room, her composure crumbling, as she burst into tears. 

Her once-perfect life had shattered right before her eyes, and she had no control over any of it.  

Her thoughts turned to her father, Meekha, and Leonardo, and the weight of the betrayal bore down on her even more. She had let everyone close to her down, but it had been necessary. 

She would do anything to keep them safe, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.She hadn't even bothered to ask who she was marrying.

The door opened. Beatrice walked in, a satisfied smile on her face. She sat beside Mariana and patted her gently on the head.

"It's time you repay me for bringing you into this world. Everything I do is for you," she said smoothly.

"By this time tomorrow, you'll be Mrs. Esposito instead of Miss Romano."

Mariana's eyes widened. "You even dared to change my surname? Who gave you that right?" She half-yelled.

"Do you really think you're suitable to be an Esposito with the last name of a murderer?" Beatrice said coldly, and Mariana's tears flowed again.

"Wait... did you say Esposito? I'm marrying into that family?" she asked in disbelief.Beatrice nodded.

"Aren't you lucky? The first daughter of Romano, marrying the third son of the Esposito family"

"The third son… who is he?" Mariana asked, her voice barely a whisper.Beatrice leaned down and whispered, "Alessandro Esposito."Mariana felt a chill run down her spine. Alessandro. 

She'd heard the stories—how people called him the devil, a man who could kill with a single glare. Cold. Heartless. Dangerous.

Her voice trembled. "Is this some kind of joke, Mom?"Beatrice didn't answer. Instead, she gave Mariana a small tap on the shoulder as the door opened again and Luna stormed in.

"Mom, is it true? She's marrying Alessandro? How could you do this to me?" Luna yelled.Beatrice pulled her out of the room.

Mariana stepped closer to the door, listening."Are you insane?" Beatrice hissed. 

"Do you know how dangerous he is? Anyone who marries him doesn't live long. He's a monste.

 Why would I give you to a man like that?"Mariana's heart shattered."She's giving me away to die," she whispered, her voice thick with tears.

 "How could my life possibly get any worse?"She collapsed to the floor, sobbing quietly.

~~ALESSANDRO PALACE~~~~ EAST WING~~  

10:00 p.m.

The grand mansion gleamed like a palace, bathed in soft light. Guards patrolled every corner.

Alessandro stood at the window of his study, cigarette in one hand, the other buried in his pocket. He exhaled slowly, watching the night.

His phone rang.He checked the ID—his mother.

"What now, Mrs. Esposito?" he said as he took a drag.

"Did you pick out a suit? I can have one delivered early tomorrow."

"I'm not going. Why are you still dreaming?"

"At least pretend to be a gentleman. What sort of man skips his own wedding?"

"A forced wedding," he corrected. "Besides, I'm going on a trip tomorrow. I won't be back until next week."He hung up.

"A bunch of stress," he muttered and went back to his smoke.

~~ALESSANDRO PALACE ~~ WEST WING.

ONE WEEK AFTER THE WEDDING

2:00 p.m.

Mariana lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. It had been a week since the so-called wedding. She had not even seen the groom yet.

There had been no ceremony, no vows—just a ring handed to her by her mother, and an escort of guards to this place she now called a prison.She hadn't left her room once. 

Meals came to her, but she barely touched them.Today, she decided to explore.She put on a loose outfit and stepped out. She wandered the hallways until she heard voices in the kitchen.

She approached, then paused when she heard her name."It's been a week, and Sir's still ignoring his little bride," a maid gossiped.

"I heard he didn't even attend the wedding."

"Probably married her for fun. She's so tiny, she'd break from the slightest touch."Mariana froze, hurt tightening in her chest.

"You all must be tired of living."The maids turned and gasped—Madam Gloria was standing there, and behind her, Mariana."I'm so sorry, my lady," Madam Gloria said to Mariana with a bow. 

"Please forgive them."Mariana gave a weak smile. "It's fine. I didn't hear much."

"I'm Gloria. I oversee this wing that you've been cooped up for a week; are you getting used to the house?"

"Not yet. It's still all new. When will he be back?"Gloria smiled. "Sir doesn't stay here much. But now that he's married, maybe things will change."

"Married, my foot," Mariana muttered.Gloria called a young maid over. 

"Brittany, show her around. Be gentle."

"I'll just grab my phone," Mariana said.But just as she turned, a fleet of cars drove into the compound.

"What's going on?" she asked."Sir is back."Panic hit Mariana. She fled into her room and locked the door.

~~EAST WING~~

Alessandro stepped out of his car, stone-faced, and headed straight for his private suite. After a shower, he dressed casually.

Kendrox walked in and handed him a file.

"Everything you asked for about Miss Mariana."

Alessandro flipped through the papers."Why is there a different name here? I thought she was a Romano."

"She wasn't. Not until two days before the wedding, she was Mariana Lorenzo. Her biological father is in prison. Her mother remarried Mr. Romano."

"So they changed her name to marry her off to me? Do they think I'm a fool?"

"Seems like her mother forced her. She lived with her aunt most of her life."

Alessandro tossed the papers aside.

"Tell Frost to be ready for tomorrow's delivery."Just then, the door burst open.

"What the hell, Mom?" he snapped.Mrs. Esposito stormed in.

 "Where's your bride?"

"You mean the random kitten you dumped in my house?"

"Sandro, she's your wife."

"I never said I'd accept her."She grabbed his arm and dragged him to the west wing.

"Stop treating me like a convict."

"Then behave."While she questioned the maids, Alessandro slipped upstairs into the small library.

"Where is she?" Mrs. Esposito asked Madam Gloria.

Mariana opened the door slowly, heart pounding.

"Darling!" Mrs. Esposito said, hugging her tightly.

"I'm Veronica—but you can call me Mom."

"Hi... ma'am," Mariana mumbled.

"Mother," she corrected gently.

She pulled Mariana into the sitting room just as Alessandro descended the stairs.

He glanced at her with a blank expression. 

"New maid, Gloria?"Mariana's eyes widened.

"Mind your tongue," Mrs. Esposito snapped.

"She's your wife. I chose her."

"You chose her? For me?"Mrs. Esposito's phone rang. 

"Talk it out. Be nice, Sandro."She left, and Gloria followed.

Alessandro eyed Mariana from head to toe. She looked away, trembling.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one," she whispered.

"You don't look it."He turned. 

"You're making a mistake. Pack up and leave before it's too late."

But she grabbed his shirt from behind.Her mother's words echoed in her mind.

:Mess this up, and your father rots in jail.

"Please… let me stay."Tears streamed down her cheeks. 

Alessandro scoffed and pulled away.

"You look like you'd snap in half if I touched you," he said coldly.

 "I hate weak girls. Get out."He turned and left.

"Bastard," she whispered, her tears blurring her vision.