CHAPTER THREE

THE UNWANTED UNION

Rosalia's POV 

I sat in the dimly lit Catholic church in New York City, the four corners of the church, surrounded by the cream of Chicago's Mafia elite. The atmosphere of the church was thick with tension, the scent of expensive perfume hanging heavy.

My white wedding gown, a symbol of purity and innocence, felt like a suffocating shroud.

"I thought a wedding between two companions was to be determined by both parties, but not in my case. I'm being forced to spend my entire life with a beast." I mused thoughtfully,

As I glanced at everyone present, my mind reeled at the events that had led me to this moment. A forced marriage, the threats, the manipulation—all designed to ensure I became the wife of Alex Fabian, the son of Don Fabian Costello, the ruthless head of the Fabian Mafia family.

"But why?" A question I kept on asking myself, and whose answer remained unknown to me.

My gaze swung to Alex, standing by the altar, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. His tailored black coat accentuated his broad shoulders, and his crisp white shirt seemed to gleam with a subtle sheen. He exuded confidence and style, but I knew the truth—he was a beast, a cheater, and a monster.

A miracle Is what I wished for, as well as getting ready to stretch my left finger, and accepts a handcuff as a ring if the miracle I seek ceases to become a reality, then he would drag me straight to his dungeon like a stray dog and lock me as his slave.

My stepmother, Mrs. Claire Giovanni, approached me, her voice laced with a mixture of happiness and insincerity. "Congratulations, Rosalia darling, I wish you a blissful wedding today, darling."

I looked at her, searching for any sign of genuine concern, but her eyes seemed to hold only a shallow enthusiasm.

"Mother, I thought you were in the right position to help me stop this wedding from happening, but you're here rejoicing about it."

Mrs. Giovanni's expression turned somber, and she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you came to me last night to speak to your father, Din Giovanni, regarding this beautiful day, but I couldn't stop him; do you know why?"

I shook my head, my curiosity piqued.

"It's because, even though I'm not your biological mother, I see what you can't see. Alex might have wronged you, but he's the right man for you." Her words cut deep, and I felt a pang of disappointment.

Don Fabian, Alex's father, stood tall, his imposing figure commanding attention. His slicked-back dark hair and piercing cold eyes seemed to bore into my soul. He wore a crisp black tailored suit, complemented by a gold watch and diamond ring.

His wife, Mrs. Fabian Maria, stood elegantly beside him, her long, dark, curly hair and beautiful, mysterious eyes seeming to gleam with an otherworldly intensity. Her stunning short black sleeveless gown showcased her slender figure, paired with a diamond necklace and stilettos.

"Rosalia, my dear, you look stunning today." Mrs. Fabian kept on looking me up and down, like a pyramid.

"Your beauty is a gift, and I'm honored to call you my daughter." She said and paused, 

"But let's not forget, your union with Alex is not just a marriage, it's a merger." Don Fabian finally spoke, and I fixed a quick glance at Alex.

Then he continues, "Our families' interests are tied together, and I expect loyalty and respect." He declared, and my father was smiling at him, as they shook hands to seal their union.

As the priest began the ceremony, his voice echoed through the church, "Do you, Alessandro, take Rosalia to be your wife...?"

Alex responded quickly, his voice firm, "Yes."

The priest turned to me, his eyes expectant, "Do you, Rosalia Giovanni, take Alexandro Fabian to be your husband...?"

I hesitated, but my mind kept on racing with thoughts of escape, of freedom. But as I was about to respond, a burst of gunfire stopped the sacred atmosphere, sending shockwaves through the crowds.

The priest's eyes widened in horror as he stumbled backward, his hands trembling. All the guests stood frozen, their faces pale and terrified, as they stared at Don Marco and his men.

The church erupted into chaos: screams, shouts, and the sound of shattering glass filled the air. The Mafia members in attendance instinctively drew their weapons, scanning the area for potential threats.

In the midst of the mayhem, Don Giovanni's voice boomed through the church, "What's going on here? Who dares to disrupt my daughter's wedding?"

Don Marco Vinnie's voice echoed through the church, filled with venom and malice. "Don Giovanni, do you think you can escape the consequences of your actions by hiding in New York for your daughter's wedding? You think the Atlantic Ocean can protect you from the wrath of the Vinnie family?"

The church fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Don Giovanni, who stood frozen, his face pale and sweaty. Don Fabian's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.

Don Marco Vinnie continued, his voice dripping with hatred. "You'll pay the price of killing my parents. You'll never leave this church alive!"

The air was electric with tension as the two Mafia families faced off, their guns drawn, ready to unleash a bloodbath.

As the gunfire erupted, Don Giovanni and Don Fabian quickly assessed the situation and made a split-second decision. They ordered their men to form a protective shield around them, using their bodies to absorb the hail of bullets.

In the chaos, I made a shocking move. I broke free from the grasp of my family's bodyguards and ran towards Don Marco Vinnie, my eyes locked on his.

"No!" Don Giovanni and Mrs. Giovanni screamed, horrified by my actions.

"Rosalia, no." But it was too late. I've already reached Don Marco and knelt before him, and he pointed his gun at my forehead, my arms open wide.

"Please, kill me," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the gunfire. "Spare my family; I'd rather die than get married to that beast." I said, and closed my eyes to receive the iron bullet into my head.

"Bang!" A gunshot echoed in my ears, and I began to ponder, if truly I am dead, I wouldn't hear the sound of a gunshot, so I slowly opened my eyes widely, and Don Marco's angry gaze was fixed on me as I knelt before him.

"Javier, take her with us; she would be useful." Don Marco Vinnie, said with his deep voice, sending a shiver down my spine. 

He gave a signal to another man among his gang members, and without hesitation, he approached me too, along with Javier.

I was approached by another hefty-looking man with broad shoulders, with a teardrop tattoo drawn below his right eyeball, with another one with the same tattoo; both of them lifted me up from both sides and took me with them.

As the other man carried a log of wood on his shoulder, I felt Don Marco didn't want to kill me right away and had other means to end my life; either way, I'm ready 

to go away from my old life.