The Sicilian's Obsession

The Black Clause

Sophia's POV

The air ambulance carrying Father had taken off for Milan at dawn. However, for me, that sense of relief was short-lived. Here I am now, sitting stiffly in the back seat of a bulletproof luxury sedan that is moving fast away from the urban area, towards the hilly countryside of Sicily.

Beside me, Don Vittorio Greco sat without a word. He seemed preoccupied with a tablet in his hand, the familiar scent of cedar returning to my senses.

The car finally stopped in front of an old, Gothic-style stone mansion. The building was surrounded by high walls and guarded by armed men. This place was much more like a defensive fortress than a normal residence.

"Get down, Dottoressa," Vito ordered flatly without taking his eyes off the tablet screen.

I pulled my white robe closer as I stepped out of the car. Vito guided my steps into a spacious work space. The room was dominated by dark mahogany furniture and the strong scent of expensive tobacco. A document with a jet-black cover awaited on the neat desk.

Vito walked behind the desk, but he didn't sit down. He simply leaned against the edge, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at me without blinking.

"Two hundred thousand euros has been deposited into the hospital account. Your padre is also being treated by the best specialists in Milan. My job is done,” Vito opened the talks . His voice sounded very cold, just like a ruthless businessman collecting a debt. "Now, it's your turn."

I approached the desk hesitantly, my eyes fixed on the black document in front of me. "I told you at the hospital, I would be a shadow doctor to treat your people."

"That's compensation for the money I spent, Sophie. It's not the main condition," Vito interrupted in an icy tone.

There was something in Vito's gaze that made me immediately wary. "So, what's the main condition?"

Vito took the document, flipping it straight to the last page where a line of clauses was printed in bold letters. He pushed the document in front of me, along with an expensive-looking black pen with gold engraving.

"There is only one condition to ensure your absolute loyalty to the Greco family," said Vito, his pair of green eyes completely locking my gaze. "You must wear the Greco ring. We will be married."

The word 'married' made me freeze. The spacious room suddenly felt like it had lost all its air supply.

"Married?" I laughed dryly, overcome with shock. "You must be joking, Don Greco. You need a surgeon, not a wife. Why would the most powerful mafia boss in Sicily marry a mere doctor like me?

"I never joke about business, Sophie," Vito replied, his expression unchanged. "My position as Don is being eyed by many enemies, including the council of elders who want me to have a successor soon or at least a stable alliance. Marrying the daughter of an enemy or another mafia clan would only bring spies into my house.”

He stood so close that I could hardly ignore his presence. "You're the perfect choice. You have no criminal background, your father owes me his life, And most importantly... you are under my complete control. This marriage will be a legal and political shield for my business."

I shook my head, taking a step back to get away from him. "This is crazy. I can't do this! I committed to my medical oath, not to be a showpiece in your dark world.”

"You can, Sophia. And you will," Vito whispered. His tone remained calm, but the words were full of threat. "This contract states that our marital status is absolute in the eyes of the law and the church. Your medical oath remains valid, you remain the primary doctor for my people, but your social status changes. You are Contessa Greco."

Vito pointed to the pen on the table with his chin. "Sign it, and your father will continue to receive the best medical supplies and care in Milan. Refuse... and I assure you that the destination hospital will not accept the patient without a guarantee of payment."

I stared at the golden pen, my body trembling violently. I knew this man wasn't bluffing. Vito had complete control over Father's breathing at this point. One refusal from my lips would mean the death sentence for Antonio Bianchi.

The price I had to pay was far higher than I had imagined. Vito didn't just want my steady hand on the operating table; he wanted my freedom, my name, and all of my life.

With trembling hands, I reached out and grabbed the golden pen. Before I put the nib to the paper, I looked up at it.

"This is only on paper, Don Greco. You may have my name, but you will never get anything else from me," I hissed sharply with all the courage I had left.

Vito simply smiled a small, mysterious smile, as if he knew full well that time would change everything. "We'll see, Dottoressa."

As soon as the ink dried, I realized my life had changed.