2

Naomi’s POV

“You are getting married.”

My father’s words hit the breakfast table like a stone thrown into still water, sending ripples of shock through my already fragile world.

I looked up from the piece of stale bread I was eating .. It was my first real food in three days. Dad sat at the head of our dining room table like a king holding court, his scarred hands folded over his huge belly. The morning light streaming through the tall windows caught the silver in his dark hair, showing how much he had aged.

“Don Eldon Rayes has requested a wife,” he continued, cutting into his eggs. “You should be honored.”

The bread turned to ash in my mouth. “Don… Don Rayes?”

I choked. “The ruthless mafia king?”

Even speaking his name felt like invoking a demon. Everyone in our world knew the stories about Eldon Rayes. The tales of a man who collected wives like other people collected stamps and disposed of them just as easily.

“He’s sixty-three years old,” I whispered.

“And you’re twenty-one,” Vin replied without looking up. “A perfect match.”

Across the table, Sofia giggled into her orange juice. The sound was bright and musical. “Oh, Naomi, you’re so lucky! Don Rayes is incredibly powerful. You will want for nothing.”

Want for nothing except my life, I thought but didn’t dare say.

Verena leaned forward, her red lips curving into what might have been a smile on anyone else. On her, it looked like a wound. “The wedding is tomorrow. I have already had a dress prepared.”

“Tomorrow?” The word came out as barely more than a breath.

My chest tightened. My knees almost gave out.

“But why, Papa? Please…” my voice cracked. “I’ve been obedient all these years. Sending me there is as good as death.”

“Stop being irritating, Naomi,” my stepmother snapped, her voice sharp like glass. “We’re in huge debt, and he asked for a wife in return.”

She folded her arms, looking down on me like I was something she scraped off her shoe.

“You should be grateful we’re even giving you a husband as powerful as the Don. Do you really think someone like you deserves such an honor?”

“But he’s the most ruthless mafia king…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.

“If he’s so powerful, then why doesn’t Sophia marry him?”

My stepmother’s face twisted into a sneer.

“Don’t you dare call my daughter’s name, you pathetic fool.”

“You think I would allow my daughter to marry that old bastard?” she spat, eyes blazing.

I swallowed hard, my voice cracking as the words tumbled out.

“So why me?”

She didn’t hesitate.

“Because that’s the only use we have for you. You’re useless to us.”

I dropped to my knees, pain shooting up my ribs, desperation tightening around my throat.

“Please… I’ll work for him. I’ll do anything. Let me repay the debt myself. Just…please, not this.”

My father stood, his shadow falling over me like a curse.

“The marriage will happen.”

His voice was cold and final.

“He doesn’t need one more stupid worker. He wants a bride. And your marriage will strengthen our family name.”

“Don Rayes is the most powerful man in all of Italy,” my father said. “You won’t escape this marriage, Naomi.”

I struggled to regulate my breathing. My chest rose and fell too fast, like the panic was swallowing me whole.

Cassian.

He was the only one who could save me. The only one who ever tried.

But he hadn’t been home since yesterday.

And with each second, it felt like he might never come back.

True to my words, Cassian didn’t come home that day.

They locked me in my room that night…like a prisoner…just in case I tried to run.

The windows were shut tight. The door bolted from the outside. Not even the moonlight could reach me.

By morning, I hadn’t slept. My eyes burned, my throat dry from praying in whispers that no one heard.

Then I heard the door unlock.

My sister walked in first, followed by her mother.

Sofia held a black dress in her hands. A long, heavy-looking dress.

Verena, my stepmother, smiled.

“Time to get ready for your big day, dear.”

“And you better smile,” Sophia added with a smirk. “We can’t have your lovely husband thinking you don’t want him… now, can we?”

I said nothing. Just nodded and walked past them to take my bath.

The long black dress waited for me like a curse. It was supposed to be my wedding dress…but it looked more like a burial gown.

I slipped it on in silence.

Around my neck, I fastened the locket…the only thing my mother ever gave me before she died.

The last piece of her I still had.

No one spoke to me as we got into the car.

Not a single word.

I sat there like a shadow being driven to her death.

Sofia looked absolutely beautiful beside me, her golden curls bouncing, her lips painted like roses. She smiled as though today were the happiest day in the world.

Soon after, we arrived at the venue.

There weren’t many people there. Just a few scary-looking men in dark suits….the kind that made my legs want to run without asking my mind for permission.

I’d heard of Eldon Rayes…everyone had.

He was the most brutal of all the mafia kings. He was ruthless and untouchable. Even the government feared him.

But I had never seen his face.

I looked around, my eyes scanning nervously…until they landed on him.

A fat, ugly man stood near the altar. His shirt clung to his swollen stomach, and sweat dripped down his forehead as he stared at me.

He smiled.

My stomach twisted violently.

Please, no…

Please don’t let that be him.

“Oh my,” Verena said behind me with a smirk, “your husband is so lovely.”

I clenched my nails into my palm, trying to control my emotions.

Trying not to cry. Not to scream. Not to run.

I don’t remember walking to the altar.

Even when the priest asked if I consented to the marriage, I couldn’t remember saying yes.

I don’t know when the fat man leaned in…or when his dirty, alcohol-stained mouth claimed my first kiss.

But soon after, it was done.

The wedding was over.

And just like that, I was transported from one hell to another.

The last thing I saw before the car door slammed shut was my father’s ugly smile..stretching wide as thick stacks of money were handed to him.

His debt was gone.

My life… sold.

S

o they could live in luxury.

And I never saw them again.

Not Naomi. Not Sofia.

Not even Cassian.