Page 8 of Mafia Daddy

The study is warm and dimly lit. My father is sitting behind a large oak desk, his face set in a stern expression. "Sit down," he demands curtly, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

I take a deep breath and sit down, the courage I had gathered earlier already dissipating. I feel small and vulnerable in front of my powerful father. He has always made me feel this way like I’m nothing but an obstacle, a problem to solve, an annoying girl interrupting his business.

"I assume you know why I called you here," he begins, his tone clipped. He steeples his hands in front of him and regards me coldly.

I nod, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yes, Father. I know you want me to marry

Lucas, but I can't do it. I don't love him."

The stoic expression on my father's face doesn't change. "Love has nothing to do with marriage. This is a business arrangement, and it will benefit our family. It will benefit you."

"But what about my happiness?" I protest. "What about what I want? This is my marriage, isn't it? How can I not have a say?"

My father's eyes narrow into slits. "Your happiness is irrelevant," he tells me, his voice an icy chill. "You will do what is best for this family whether you like it or not."

My heart sinks into an abysmal sadness. Aren’t fathers supposed to care for their daughters? Protect them and keep them safe against men like Lucas? Think about their happiness and support them in every way? Why is he like this? Why don’t I matter to him?

If only my mother was still alive. She won’t let him do this.

I stand up, my heart heavy with the weight of disappointment and betrayal.

Before I can make my way to the door, Lucas appears out of nowhere and grabs my hand, pulling me back down to sit beside him. My eyes widen in shock as he speaks, and he does nothing to hide the disdain in his voice."So you don't want to marry me, huh?" he seethes, his tone cold and mocking.

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any worse. Has Lucas been eavesdropping on my

private conversation with my father? I’ve been so stupid thinking I can come here to end the engagement. To add insult to injury, Lucas continues talking with a brutal honesty that leaves me reeling. "Guess what? I also don't want to marry you," he sneers. "If it weren't for the business, I wouldn't even look at you."

Feeling my anger and frustration growing, I turn to Lucas and ask, "Then why did you agree to all these?"

His response is swift and callous. "Because it's a good business deal," he replies with a smirk. "And I'm not one to pass up a profitable opportunity."

I recoil at the sharpness of his words, feeling as though I have just been slapped across the face. Is this what my life is worth to them? Just a way to make money? My heart beats erratically as I struggle to come to terms with the reality of my situation.

My father. Lucas. Everyone sees me as a bargaining chip. Everyone except Carlo.

I turn my gaze back to my father, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "How can you do this to me?" I cry, my throat thick with emotion. "How can you sell me off like this?"

My father remains unmoved by my pain, his expression cold and calculating. "It's for the good of the business, honey," he says dismissively. "You'll understand one day."

Frustrated and heartbroken, I stand up and make my way to the door. "I understand perfectly fine," I spit before pinning Lucas with a fierce glare. "I won't be marrying you. I refuse to be a part of this sick game."

I’m about to leave the room in a huff when Lucas abruptly seizes a handful of my hair from behind and screeches, "Where do you think you're going, you bitch?"

My blood is cold with fear as Lucas's grip tightens on my hair. The pain is excruciating, and I can no longer stop the tears as I look up at him in terror. I plead with him to let me go, but he only sneers in response, enjoying the agony he’s putting me through. He gets off on my pain. And he’s about to become my husband.

I turn to my father for help, hoping against all odds he’ll intervene. Instead, I’m met with a blank stare of indifference. He sits there, unmoved, as though this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience getting in the way of him attending to his other business.

My lips and chin tremble, breaths coming in short gasps.

Just when I think all hope is lost, Carlo bursts into the room like a raging bull. His eyes blaze with fury as he takes in the scene before him. He’s here. He’s finally here.

I look up at Carlo with pleading eyes, tears still streaming down my face. I know that if I tried to stop him, I wouldn't be able to, and in all honesty, I don't even want to try.

I told him earlier not to make a scene. Now, it’s different. I want Carlo to make Lucas pay, and the deadly look in Carlo's eyes shows that Lucas is indeed in deep trouble. Good luck to you, asshole.

5

CARLO

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