Page 4 of His Bride

The implications of her words hit me like a physical blow. I stumble backward, sinking onto the edge of my bed. “Worse?” I echo, my mind reeling. “How could it be worse?”

My mother kneels before me, taking my hands in hers once more. “Adriana, listen to me. The world is not as simple as you believe it to be. There are people out there who would hurt you to get to your father. This marriage… it’s not just about restoring our family’s reputation. It’s about keeping you alive.”

The gravity of her words settles over me like a heavy blanket. For the first time, I truly see the fear in my mother’s eyes, the worry lines etched deep into her face. This isn’t just about family honor or financial troubles. This is about survival.

“I don’t understand,” I say, my voice trembling. “What did father do?”

She shakes her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. “It’s better that you don’t know the details. But please, mia cara, trust that we’re doing this because we love you. Because we want to give you a chance at a future.”

I close my eyes, trying to process everything she’s told me. The anger that’s been burning inside me all day begins to cool, replaced by a cold, creeping dread. “And marrying Dante Rossi… that’s my only chance?”

My mother nods, her grip on my hands tightening. “He can protect you in ways we no longer can. The Rossi family has resources, connections… they can keep you safe.”

“But at what cost?” I ask again, opening my eyes to meet her gaze. “What kind of life will I have as the wife of a criminal?”

She flinches at the word, but doesn’t deny it. “A life of security,” she says softly. “And perhaps, in time, one of love.”

I scoff, pulling my hands away. “Love? With a man I’ve never met? A man who’s agreed to marry me as part of some… some business transaction?”

“Marriage can grow into love,” she insists. “Your father and I-”

“Were you an arranged marriage too?” I interrupt, suddenly curious.

She hesitates, then nods. “Yes. But we grew to love each other deeply.”

I stand up, needing to put some distance between us. “That was different,” I argue. “You weren’t being married off to a mafia underboss.”

“Adriana,” she warns, her voice taking on an edge I’ve rarely heard. “Be careful how you speak of the Rossi family. They will be your family soon.”

The reminder sends a fresh wave of panic through me. “How can you expect me to just accept this?” I cry, gesturing wildly. “To give up everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve worked for?”

“Your webtoon?” she asks gently. “Your hobby?”

I nod, tears blurring my vision. “It’s not just a hobby, Mama. It’s my passion. My career. How can I give that up?”

She stands, moving to my desk where my tablet still displays the unfinished panel. “Who says you have to give it up?” she asks, her fingers hovering over the screen. “Perhaps your new life will give you even more inspiration for your stories.”

I shake my head vehemently. “You don’t understand. My stories are about love and hope and happy endings. How can I write about those things when my own life is being ripped away from me?”

My mother turns to face me, her expression softening. “Mia cara, your life isn’t ending. It’s changing. And change, no matter how frightening, can lead to beautiful things.”

I want to believe her. I want to find some glimmer of hope in this nightmare. But the weight of everything – the arranged marriage, the hidden dangers, the uncertain future – feels like it’s crushing me.

“I’m scared, Mama,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

She crosses the room in two quick strides, pulling me into her arms once more. “I know, tesoro. I know. But you are strong. Stronger than you realize. You will get through this.”

I cling to her, burying my face in her shoulder as I had done so many times as a child. For a moment, I let myself believe that everything will be okay. That this is just another obstacle to overcome, another chapter in my story.

But as my mother’s arms tighten around me, I can’t shake the feeling that this is the end of everything I’ve ever known. The end of my innocence, my dreams, my freedom.

And the beginning of a life I never asked for.

Chapter Two

Adriana

I step into the grand ballroom, my heart hammering against my ribs like a caged bird desperate for escape. The beautiful lights above cast a soft, ethereal glow over the sea of elegantly dressed guests, their hushed conversations a symphony of whispers and clinking champagne flutes. My fingers tighten around my clutch, knuckles white with tension.

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