Arranged Marriage To The Mafia Don

Chapter 1: The Compromise

"I'm not marrying him!"

A slam. The teacup had just made contact with the marble table with intense force causing Jade to flinch, taking a step back in fear.

"What did you just say?" Slowly, an elegant, yet malice-laced voice rang out.

She looked at the woman opposite her, the woman she bore immense similarities to — her mother... even if it never felt like so while growing up.

She slowly gathered her courage as she took calming breaths. "I said I'm not marrying him." She repeated.

But unlike before where her voice was determined and firm, this time, there was a lingering fear and hesitation.

The older woman smiled as she slowly rose to her feet, smoothening the edges of her nonexistent

wrinkled skirt.

She took slow, deliberate steps towards Jade. And with each step covered, Jade could feel her heart pounding within, threatening to burst out.

But she stood her ground. She couldn't let her mom know that she was still afraid of her.

Her mother, Cora, came to stand in front of her, and Jade subconsciously swallowed.

"Listen to me carefully, you will marry the Don, and you'd be a good wife to him. You'll bear as many children as he wants you to. If you don't do that—" she paused, c*****g her head to the other side. "—your grandmother's medical bills..."

She trailed off with a perfect smile on her face.

Jade froze as she met her mother's eyes. Her lips trembled as she forced out. "You won't stop Grandmother's treatment."

Cora's smile widened. "Of course I won't..." her eyes remained on her daughter for a long while before she added, "...only if you behave."

"You are terrible, do you know that?" Jade bit her lips as she stared at her.

Something flashed in Cora's eyes, for just a few seconds, before her eyes sparkled. "You are not the first person to tell me this. Neither would it be the last."

"I hate you... mom." Jade's shoulders trembled.

Cora didn't seem affected. Instead, she rubbed her arms as she said, "go on. I'll have the nanny bring you your wedding dress tomorrow. The wedding is tomorrow."

Jade's face scrunched up, before she directly left the room.

Once she was out, Cora's expressionless face switched and she sighed.

"You'll understand soon enough, my dear." She murmured under her breath, sighing once more. She rubbed her chest, before she returned to her sofa, assuming her expressionless reaction.

Meanwhile, in Jade's room, she sat on her dressing chair, staring into her vanity mirror. Her reflection stared back at her—broken, dark circles and eye bags.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "Why?" She whispered under her breath. "Why am I being treated this way?"

Slowly, tears dropped from her eyes. She laid her head on the table, her shoulders trembling.

***********

The next morning, Jade was awoken by several knocks on her door. She groggily raised her head up. Still in a moment of confusion, she looked around and that was when she realized that she had slept on the vanity table.

"s**t!" She cursed under her breath. "Come in."

The incessant knocking stopped, and there was rattling at the door, before it was pushed open.

Jade rose to her feet as she watched several maids walk into her room, each holding several things in their hands. The most eye-catching one was the glittering wedding dress.

Jade's eyes landed on that wedding dress, and she felt like they were an eyesore. She snorted before she turned around, clearly not interested in admiring the dress.

Perhaps... just maybe if she was interested in this wedding, she would have admired the gown. Unfortunately, she didn't even have the chance to experience a fitting time.

"Miss Jade, it's time for you to get prepared for the wedding."

Jade looked at the nanny and she sighed inwardly. There was no escaping this.

About a few gruelling hours, Jade stood in front of the mirror and her mouth hung open in shock. Shock of her reflection in the mirror.

She stood in front of the mirror, unmoving.

For a moment, she barely recognized the girl staring back at her.

The gown fit her like a second skin. It was soft, delicate, and impossibly perfect. The bodice hugged her gently, not harshly, but firmly enough to remind her that she couldn’t escape it.

Fine lace traced over the fabric, curling in intricate patterns that shimmered faintly under the room’s warm light, like frost touched by dawn.

It was beautiful... too beautiful.

The dress flowed down her body, smooth and elegant, before flaring just below her knees into a graceful sweep of fabric that pooled behind her.

The train stretched across the floor, quiet and regal, as though it belonged to someone far more confident… someone far more fearless.

Her fingers trembled as she reached up, brushing lightly over the delicate straps resting on her shoulders. They looked so fragile, as if they could slip away with the slightest movement—yet the gown held her firmly in place, like a silent promise she couldn't break.

Or a cage she couldn’t leave. She swallowed hard.

From the front, she looked like every man's dream bride. She looked soft, radiant, and untouched. The kind of woman people would protect.

But her eyes betrayed her.

There was a flicker of fear there. It was subtle, but undeniable.

Because this wasn't just a wedding. It was a life she was stepping into… with a man whose name alone made people lower their voices.

Her gaze dropped slightly, taking in the way the dress shimmered when she moved, how it caught the light so innocently, like it didn't know the kind of world it was about to enter.

Or maybe it did. Maybe that was the cruelest part.

She looked perfect. And she had never felt more afraid.

The maids all had their eyes on Jade and there was only one word which flashed through their minds.

Breathtaking. Truly breathtaking.

Jade raised her head slowly, and she let out a deep breath. She was getting married to the Don... and there was nothing she could do about it.