Chapter 1

Author’s Pov

“ I am getting married again, “ Dante said, crushing Aurelia’s heart into tiniest pieces.  “ And I am not asking for permission. “ 

He put his fork down, ending his breakfast and glanced at her who had not even touched her plate. Aurelia sat frozen on the chair. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. Her gaze was on her lap and her eyes stung with unshed tears but she held herself composed. 

“ Is it Aisha? “ she asked. Her voice was barely audible. Dante looked at her and took a deep breath, shaking his head in a yes. “ She is coming back. “ 

She closed her eyes and finally …. Accepted. Her husband of 2 years had never loved her. His heart belonged entirely to Aisha Hayden, the woman who left him 3 years ago. In reality, their marriage wasn’t based on love, it was entirely arranged. She did not even want to marry anyone at such a young age but …. She could not deny the only kind person who was there for her. 

Vincent Salvatore. Dante's grandfather. 

She had barely turned eighteen when Dante’s grandfather had asked her father for Dante’s and her marriage. His words — Aurelia can bring happiness into my family and my grandson’s life — were enough to melt Aurelia. 

She never really had a good relationship with her own family who treated her as an outsider due to her living away all her life. Dante’s grandmother, mother and even his sisters were not happy about this marriage. She was younger than Dante and always humiliated for being naive, called dumb and not knowing standards that matches the Salvatores but no one could say anything against the decision taken by Vincent Salvatore. 

Dante was not a man made for love. He only agreed because he had to get married one day and because he respected his grandfather. But even after two years of this marriage, they were still two complete strangers to each other. Aurelia had done everything, put in all her efforts so this marriage could work but …. Dante wasn’t a man you could change. 

She had grown tired, she was falling apart, breaking. She was losing her own light and when Dante had announced he was going to marry Aisha. She knew there was nothing left. No reason, no one behind. 

She finally lifted her head and nodded her head. “ Everyone had said it before and we both also knew we would not last long. “ 

Her heart ached as she said those words but Dante remained silent but continued to watch her. “ I am not divorcing you. I can’t hurt my grandfather because you were his choice for me. You’re still going to be my wife, live here how you always had. Everything will be the same. “ 

Aurelia smiled bitterly. Her hands clenched so hard that her knuckles turned white. She shook her head and looked directly in his eyes. “ Right, everything will be the same. You never really gave me any rights of a wife and you’re never going to either. I had been living silently and I'm going to live exactly like that. “

Her dark brown orbs squinted as she chuckled at his concern. She stared at him in disbelief that the man she fell in love with despite everything, could actually speak about keeping her while marrying another woman. 

Aurelia was beautiful. One of the gorgeous faces in the world and that beauty had men and women kneel in front of her. But she had lost all that spark and glow because of the unwanted relationship she was in. 

“ I can’t live here. “

Silence fell and Dante straightened up. His hands now intertwined as he leaned forward on the table and gazed at her hard. “ What does it mean, Aurelia? “ His voice was deep and by that tone, Aurelia knew Dante understood what she said very well but he was more like testing her if she dared say that or not. 

“ I don't think that after Aisha starts living here, there’s any place for me. Well, there was none even before. “ 

Aurelia spoke. The words were painful, mockful but her voice was soft. Dante leaned back, tilted his face in amusement. He had never seen her talk like that and was amazed that she did. 

“ Grandpa won't take this news of yours well and I can’t disobey him. “ Aurelia whispered a laugh and said. “ You're going against grandpa and marrying Aisha. Is this not going to hurt him? “

” I listened to him and married you but look at us. Are we even compatible? You’re way too young to understand the kind of things I deal with. I’m marrying Aisha on mom’s order and because- “ Aurelia stood up and smiled painfully while nodding her head.

” Because you love her. You have always loved her. “

She completed his sentence. Dante’s gaze narrowed at her and lines of confusion formed on his forehead. “ Are you in your senses? “ He stood up, the chair screeched back with force and he closed the distance between us. 

“ I want divorce. “ she spoke. She stood her grounds. She had bore two years of this cage with no love, no respect but no she wont accept another woman. If he was going to keep her, she wouldn't be there. 

She looked in his eyes, her face tilted up to match it. He was tall. 6 ‘3 muscular lean body that towered her tiny frame. The way his gaze devoured her made her hands tremble and she could feel herself shrinking. 

” I am not giving you divorce. Be a little mature and think before you speak. Think about grandpa. “ 

Aurelia fell silent. She felt her chest aching painfully. “ Why should I be the one thinking about grandpa? Why can’t I think about myself? “

” We both know what grandpa means to you. And about thinking about yourself, think as much as you want but we both know it as well that you’re going to listen to your parents. “

He spoke the harsh truth. The reality of her life. Yes, till today, her family had been the one making decisions for her. What she'd study, what she'd dress, whom she'd meet etc etc. 

Aurelia clenched her fists in anger. How could he mock and make fun of her? She shook her head. “ Grandpa loves me and after hearing my decision, I know he’s going to support me. “

” enough Aurelia. I don't want any arguments. I have made myself clear and I don't want any trouble. Aisha will be arriving next week. “ Dante threw the bomb on her head but Aurelia was not going to back down. Not after this. 

“ Don’t you dare ask for divorce again and If you dare do it, then don't blame me for what happens to you next. “