Chapter Five: The Contract
714 Words
Ariana's fingers trembled as she unfolded the first page of her father's will.
The ink had faded slightly with age, but every word carried his unmistakable voice.
My dearest Ariana,
If you're reading this, then I've failed to protect you. For that, I am deeply sorry.
A tear slid down her cheek.
Lucien remained silent, giving her space to read.
The world you know is not the world I lived in. I spent twenty years hiding the truth because I wanted you to have a normal life. I wanted you to laugh without looking over your shoulder. I wanted you to love without fear.
Ariana's vision blurred.
Her father had written every word by hand.
She could almost hear his voice.
If I am gone, there is only one man I trust to keep you alive.
Slowly...
She lifted her eyes toward Lucien.
He didn't look at her.
His gaze remained fixed on the rain outside.
She looked back at the letter.
Lucien De Luca.
Her heart clenched.
"No..."
she whispered.
"There has to be some mistake."
"There isn't," Lucien replied quietly.
She ignored him and continued reading.
You will hate me for what comes next.
Ariana's breathing became shallow.
Her fingers tightened around the paper.
Twenty years ago, I signed an agreement with Lucien's father. It was never about money or power. It was about your survival.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
She flipped to the next page.
Attached to it was another document.
Old.
Yellowed with time.
A large seal covered the bottom.
Across the top were four chilling words.
Marriage Protection Agreement
Her body froze.
"No..."
She unfolded it completely.
Her name.
Lucien's name.
Two signatures.
One belonged to her father.
The other belonged to the late Don Alessandro De Luca.
At the bottom was a final clause.
This agreement shall take effect upon the death of Marco Moretti.
The room fell silent.
Ariana slowly lowered the paper.
"You knew."
Lucien met her eyes.
"Yes."
"And you never thought to tell me?"
"It wasn't my place."
She laughed bitterly.
"It wasn't your place?"
She held the contract in the air.
"You've known my entire future was decided before I was even old enough to understand what marriage meant!"
"I know."
"You know?"
Anger exploded inside her.
She stormed toward him.
"You knew all these years?"
"Yes."
"And you just waited?"
"I waited because your father asked me to."
She shoved the document against his chest.
"I am not marrying you."
Lucien didn't move.
"I expected that answer."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"I don't care what my father signed."
"You will."
Her eyes flashed.
"I'll burn this contract before I marry a mafia boss."
Lucien's expression didn't change.
"If burning it could keep you safe..."
He gently placed the contract back on the table.
"...I'd light the match myself."
His calmness only made her angrier.
"You keep talking about protecting me!"
"Because someone is hunting you."
"I don't believe you."
Lucien reached into his jacket.
He placed a small envelope in front of her.
"Open it."
She hesitated.
Then slowly pulled out the contents.
Photographs.
Her apartment.
Taken from across the street.
Another.
She was leaving work.
Another.
She was shopping with her best friend.
Another.
She was standing outside her father's office.
Each picture had been taken without her knowledge.
A cold shiver ran through her.
On the final photograph...
A single sentence had been written in red ink.
She's next.
Ariana's face drained of color.
Lucien spoke softly.
"These arrived at my estate yesterday morning."
She looked at him, terrified.
"They've been watching you for weeks."
Silence filled the room.
For the first time...
She realized this nightmare had started long before her father's funeral.
Lucien stepped closer, his voice steady.
"I won't force you to love me."
His grey eyes held hers.
"I won't even ask you to trust me."
He paused.
"But until the people behind these photographs are stopped..."
He slid the marriage contract toward her one last time.
"...walking away from me is the most dangerous decision you'll ever make."
Ariana stared at the contract.
Then at the photographs.
Then back at Lucien.
Her father's final wish.
Her freedom.
Her life.
For the first time...
She wasn't sure which one would cost her more.
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