Page 42 of His Bride

“And betray your new son-in-law in the process?” Lorenzo chuckles darkly. “I admire your ambition.”

Son-in-law? Dante? My mind reels. What game is my father playing?

“Adriana’s marriage was a necessary evil,” Papa says, each word a knife in my chest. “This alliance will secure our future.”

I bite my lip to keep from gasping. Betrayal burns hot in my veins, threatening to consume me. How could he? After everything we’ve been through, after selling me like cattle to the Rossis?

Lorenzo’s next words chill me to the bone. “Remember, Giovanni. There’s no going back now. You’re either with us, or you’re in the ground.”

My legs tremble, and I lean heavily against the wall. What have you done, father?

I hear chairs scraping against the floor and quickly retreat, my heart pounding. Footsteps approach, and I duck into a nearby alcove, holding my breath. Lorenzo passes by, his cologne a sickening mix of leather and smoke. I wait, counting each agonizing second until I hear the front door close.

Anger surges through me, hot and fierce. I storm into the parlor, finding my father pouring himself a drink with shaking hands.

“How could you?” I demand, my voice trembling.

He startles, amber liquid sloshing over the rim of his glass. “Adriana! What are you doing here? Where-”

“To conspire with our enemies?” I cut him off, advancing. “To throw away everything, including me?”

Father’s face pales. “You don’t understand—”

“Then explain it to me!” I slam my sketchpad down on the table. The sound echoes like a gunshot. “Explain why you’re betraying Dante, betraying our family!”

He sets the glass down, his eyes darting to the door. “Keep your voice down,” he hisses.

“Why? Afraid Lorenzo might hear?” I laugh bitterly. “Or are you worried mom will discover what a snake you’ve become?”

His eyes flash. “Watch your tongue, young lady. I’m still your father.”

“Are you?” I challenge, my hands balling into fists. “Because the father I knew wouldn’t sell his daughter, then turn around and stab her husband in the back!”

He moves towards me, but I stand my ground. “Everything I’ve done,” he says, his voice low and dangerous, “I’ve done for this family.”

I shake my head, disgust churning in my stomach. “No. You’ve done it for yourself.”

Father clenches his jaw. He turns away, running a hand through his graying hair. “You don’t understand the pressures, the expectations—”

“Then help me understand!” I plead, my anger giving way to confusion. “Isn’t this why you married me off to Dante? To clear your debts, to restore our standing?”

He whirls back to face me, eyes blazing. “It’s not enough! The deal with Dante… it’s a band-aid on a gaping wound. Our name, our legacy—it’s still in tatters.”

I stare at him, disbelief washing over me. “So you’d risk everything? Our lives?”

“I’m taking back what’s rightfully ours,” he barks.

My heart pounds. I step closer, lowering my voice. “Papa, please. This game you’re playing… it’s dangerous. You’re not just risking yourself. What about Mama? What about me?”

For a moment, I see a flicker of doubt in his eyes. But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by steely resolve.

“I know what I’m doing, Adriana,” he says, his tone final. “This is our chance to rise again, to be more than Dante Rossi’s lapdogs.”

I shake my head, tears stinging my eyes. “You’re going to get us all killed.”

He reaches for me, but I flinch away. His hand falls to his side. “One day, you’ll understand. This is for your future too.”

I turn away, unable to look at him anymore.

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