A R I A N A I walked downstairs slowly, my bare feet cold against the marble floors, the mansion was even bigger in daylight all high ceilings and expensive artwork it felt more like a museum than a home. Lina walked ahead of me, still talking nonstop. "...and Mr. Russo doesn't like people touching his things," she was saying. "Oh! And never go into his study! That's his private space. He gets very angry if anyone disturbs him there." I barely listened my stomach growled as the smell of food reached me, the dining room was huge, with a table that could seat twenty people but only one place was set for me. The food looked delicious fresh fruit, warm pastries, eggs cooked perfectly but I had no appetite I picked at a strawberry while Lina hovered nearby. "Mr. Russo is very private," Lina continued, pouring me orange juice. "He doesn't like people asking too many questions. And he hates—" "Lina." A sharp voice cut through the air we both jumped. An old woman stood in t
A R I A N A The wedding reception finally ended. No more fake smiles, no more pretending to be happy, no more watching Angelo glare at us from across the room. Dante didn't say a word to me as we left Just grabbed my arm and led me to his black car waiting outside. The ride to his mansion was completely silent. I sat as far from him as possible, pressed against the door, staring out the window at the passing city lights. My throat still hurt where he'd choked me my wedding ring felt heavy and wrong on my finger. Dante didn't look at me once the whole drive he got himself busy with his phone, his jaw tight, his fingers tapping impatiently on the screen. When the car finally stopped, I realized we were at a huge, dark mansion way bigger than my family's. Dante got out first, not waiting for me, not helping me he just walked straight to the front door like I didn't exist. I followed slowly, my high heels clicking on the stone path the night air was cold, I wrapped my a
A R I A N AI felt suffocated, the reception hall was too loud, too full of people smiling at me like this was some happy occasion.I felt like I couldn't breathe. "I need to use the restroom," I mumbled to no one in particular, pushing back my chair. Dante glanced up from his conversation with some business associate his dark eyes studied my face for a second before giving a slight nod. I hurried away before anyone could follow. The bathroom was empty, thank God. I locked the door behind me and finally, finally I let myself break. Tears poured down my face, ruining my perfect makeup, my chest heaved with silent sobs as I gripped the sink for support. This wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Yes, I made a mistake with Angelo. Yes, I disobeyed my father. But this? Being married off to some stranger? To Dante Russo of all people? It was too much. I hated my father, I hated Angelo, I hated Bella. Most of all, I hated myself for being so stupid, so naive to think love
A R I A N AJust like my father had said, two days later I was getting married to Dante Russo. The morning of my wedding arrived like a death sentence. I sat stiffly in front of the vanity as a team of stylists buzzed around me, transforming me into a perfect bride. The white dress hugged my body tightly, the lace scratching my skin. The heavy veil weighed down my head like a crown of thorns. I felt nothing. Empty. Dead inside. The girl staring back at me in the mirror was a stranger pale face, red lips, hollow eyes, I looked like a doll dressed up for a show. "Beautiful," the makeup artist murmured, dabbing more powder on my cheeks. I didn't respond, what was beautiful about this? About being sold off like cattle to pay for my mistakes? I gulped a lump my eyes stinging with tears. Thr hatred for my father burned within me like a burning fire.A knock at the door snaps me out of my thoughts, the man I call father entered, his expensive suit perfectly pressed, his cold
A R I A N AThe moment I stepped into the foyer, the air turned cold. My father stood at the top of the staircase, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable, the sharp black suit he wore made him look more like a king than a father. And the way he stared at me like I was a disappointment, which I was If only I had listened and not gone against his words.My heart dropped. We had never been close not since I was a little girl, not since I realized love, to him, was conditional. And now? Now, I had broken his biggest rule. Never to belittle myself for the minors, to him they were nothing but slaves that would brown down to his mercy or any other elite.He had warned me about Angelo, warned me he was nothing and that he’d make me regret my decision of choosing him over family. And I hadn’t listened. I had fought for Angelo, defended him and him against my father’s wishes.And now? Now, I was standing here, broken, betrayed, and worst of all proving my father right.Tears
A R I A N AI woke up to blinding white lights, the smell of antiseptic and the beeping of machines. A hospital. I was in a hospital. My head pounded as I tried to remember how I got here, my body felt heavy, like I had been crushed under something. Then the pain hit. A sharp, stabbing ache in my abdomen. I gasped, my hands flying to my stomach. My baby. Memories flooded back. Bella’s smug face, her cruel words, the w way she stepped closer, her eyes full of hate and the way she had left me to die after pushing me from the stairs. How she had shoved me off the stairs with no remorse, the menace, all of it came back. The last thing I remembered was the wetness between my legs. Blood. Now, I was here. Alone. In pain. I clutched my stomach, tears burning my eyes. “No! Please, please let my baby be okay” I cried. The door opened, and a nurse walked in. She rushed to me seeing my state, I was panicked tears as I clutched my bump hoping that nothing had ha