chapter 3

Chapter 3.

THE BRIDE IN RED.

—— ♣ ——

Two days had passed quickly. And no matter how hard she'd tried to escape it, she was getting married today. It was her reality.

The silk of the gown clung to Millicent's body like a second skin. She was covered in the Red Devils traditional bridal colour. Blood red and gold that shone under the chandelier light. Millicent looked at her dress, red for power and gold for legacy. It was the traditional bridal dress of their empire. Even at her own wedding, she was just another possession of the Red Devils.

How pathetic.

As she gazed at her reflection, memories of her childhood flooded her mind. She remembered being little, and always wanting to please her father. Always wanting to make herself worthy, to prove she was worthy, just like her step brothers.

She would spend countless of hours studying the Red Devils tradition, desperately wanting to know more about the mafia as a child, even though he never gave her any attention.

She was the sole daughter amongst the six children her father had. All the other five were boys birthed by his mistress.

And she? She was the daughter of the legitimate wife who was more of a whore. Her mother was just like her father… selfish. Abandoned her, and jumped to the next influential man. Then… she brought Luca, handed him to her and left.

That was the last time she'd seen or heard from her, leaving her with only Salvatore. And that made her desperate to please him…to be loved by him. She was so desperate that she would do anything.

Being so young and naive, she had thought perhaps if she learnt about the ways of the mafia, if she had learnt how to fight and make the clan proud, he wouldn't look at her as the daughter of his whoring wife, or… just a girl…but even with everything, he didn't. Instead he was selling her off like a property he owned.

“I look so pathetic,” she whispered.

She could barely recognize herself as she stood in front of the mirror. It wasn't because of the huge veil that she couldn't recognize herself, it was because of the storm behind it. The storm that shined in her eyes.

She didn't see herself, she didn't see Millicent. All she saw was a pawn on a chessboard, a collateral. A property that was going to be sold.

“Be strong, Millicent,” she muttered to herself while her hand clenched around the red bouquet, but all she could think about was Luca.

Her only closest and truest relative was somewhere, suffering because of her. She had brought danger to him. If only she had been careful enough and hid him well, away from her family. But she didn't, and now she was paying the price.

A part of her wanted to run away, but she couldn't. Not with Luca's life on the line. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Three months to live.

Her father's command.

A marriage she didn't choose, worse….to Angelo.

And Luca…her baby brother ,still locked away like a bargaining chip.

She sighed.

There was a sharp knock on the door, then the door creaked open.

Carlo entered first with an unreadable expression, while his dark eyes scanned her from head to toe like she was a pawn on a chessboard.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. “You almost look like a real bride, but there's one thing remaining though. Don't forget to smile for the crowd, sister. It would be a shame if your little brother started coughing blood.” He smiled.

Behind him came Silvio, his mouth twisted into a smirk. “Don't mess this up, Milly. One wrong move, and your brother won't make it to the next sunrise. Don't forget to always listen to your husband.”

Millicent's jaw tensed beneath the veil.

How dare they dictate orders after forcing her against her will?!

Just as she was about to respond, another sound echoed. The slow, heavy steps of the man who birthed her.

Salvatore Romano.

He stopped at her side, adjusting her veil more properly. “You'll do what needs to be done,” he said in a low voice. “You already know what happens when you defy us. So make your family proud.”

She glared at him from behind the veil. “I hope you're not going to back out on your word. Once I say my vows at the altar… Luca goes free.”

Salvatore chuckled. “Of course. Now come, the bride must not keep her groom waiting.”

Her stomach churned.

And with that, her father turned and walked out. Her step brothers followed, leaving her alone.

Alone with her thoughts and fury.

“This is it, Millicent,” she sighed, looking at herself in the mirror one last time before she walked out.

~~~~~~~~~~

PALERMO, ITALY.

ANGELO'S ESTATE.

The grand courtyard of the estate was decked in so much elegance that it was impossible to ignore. The guards on patrol, gold trimmed chairs, crimson roses everywhere and violins playing melancholic notes under the sky. The estate belonged to him, Angelo De Angelis. And everything here was a show of power and authority.

And now, she would become his bride.

The car rolled in, and Millicent stepped out slowly, her veil moving slightly with the breeze.

Inside the estate, laughter echoed as Angelo stood surrounded by his brothers…Aurelio, Ariel and Amedeo.

“She had better be hot,” Ariel teased, sipping champagne.

Aurelio smirked. “If not, I'll mourn your suffering, fratello.” < brother. >

“Maybe you'll fall in love for once,” Amedeo teased.

“Fall in love?” Ariel barked a laugh. “C'mon baby bro. Our brother here is as cold as ice.” He said, and all three of his brothers laughed.

Bastardi. < Bastards. >

“Okayy, stop it. We don't want the groom bawling like a baby before the ceremony.” Amedeo joked.

Ariel chuckled. “Hey, someone's gotta get the waterworks started!”

“I agree on that,” Aurelio high fived them, grinning.

Traitor.

Ariel and Amedeo? It was expected.

But Aurelio? He couldn't believe it.

“Why are you so quiet? Already thinking about your pretty bride to be?” Ariel teased. His voice was already beginning to sound very annoying.

Still, Angelo said nothing. He adjusted his cufflinks and glanced out the window as the violinists played.

“I haven't seen her yet,” he muttered.

“What?” Aurelio laughed. “You’re marrying her, and you still have no idea of what she looks like?”

“That's because I don't need to know what she looks like. You keep forgetting, she's not a bride, she's a tool.”

Silence fell for a second.

“I’ll use this alliance to bury the Red Devils from inside. And she, whoever she is… she would be the first to break.” Angelo said coldly.

Just as he paused, a knock sounded on the door and it creaked open, revealing Matteo Mancini. His consigliere.

“Boss, it's time.” Matteo said.

Angelo glanced at the windows and smirked. “Well, well, well. Let the game begin.”