Sold to the masked heir to the mafia

Isabella Carter. I could always smell her perfume... Victoria Carter's perfume. It was that sweet, sickly smell. I could recognize it from a mile away. Of course. I smelled it before she walked through the door. A few seconds later, I heard the sound of her heels. Whenever I saw her, I knew something bad was going to happen. She appeared in the room like a snake... She was all dressed up, with a glass of wine in her hand and a cigarette between her fingers. As always. Her makeup was smudged, that mischievous smile on her face. I knew where she was yesterday. Gambling as usual. Losing money. Squandering my father's money. Since my father died—two years ago—that woman has become a machine of destruction. Of me and my sister. Of the house. Of everything my father left behind. My father left her everything: the house, the name, the company, and responsibility for me and Elena. And Victoria, the perfect widow, buried my father with a fake tear and opened a casino account under the Carter name that same night. "Get up, Isabella. Today is your lucky day," she said, throwing a black dress on the sofa as if throwing a rope to a hanged man. "One of the Devil's men is coming here today." You're getting married." "What are you talking about?" I asked, raising my eyes without moving a muscle. Married? Did I hear that right? She rolled her eyes and continued drinking the liquid. Her dark lipstick marked the rim of the glass. "You're not stupid, Isabella. Don't act like you are. I'm talking about Matthew Marino... That man wants a wife. And for some reason that even the heavens don't understand, he accepted when I offered you. "Matthew Marino... the Devil of Verona?" I let out a short, humorless laugh. "What kind of bad joke is this? "The only joke here is your life." She came toward me as if to hit me, her voice full of disgust. "And if you don't want to go, no problem. Elena already has a fiancé waiting for her. Remember him? That old CEO who agreed to wait until she turned 18?" Maybe I should speed things up a little. What do you think? My throat tightened. That bitch... Using my little sister as a hostage... again. I knew this day would come. That disgusting old man Victoria introduced as a family friend always looked at Elena as if she were already his property. But she's only ten years old. Ten. "I didn't try to touch my sister," I growled, standing up and bringing my face close to hers. I wanted to strangle her if she dared touch Elena. "If you do anything to her or to me... I…” The slap came hard. I felt my cheek burn and tasted blood in my mouth. "You what?" She clicked her tongue and gave me a deadly look. I knew what it meant. She was capable of anything to ruin my life. "What are you going to do, you disgusting woman? Huh?” Report me? You and that little brat are a burden. You have always been. And I'm going to get rid of you both." I took a deep breath, trying to control myself. I had to hold it together now. Her time would come. Even though my hands were shaking, I took a deep breath. I calmed my heart. I couldn't let myself get carried away by emotion; I had to think... I would find a way to save us from this unfair life. I would succeed. We would be free. I took a deep breath and tried to clear my mind. "All right," I said, feigning indifference. "I accept." She raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "You accept?" "Yes." I'll marry this man," I said, staring at her firmly. "But you have to promise me you'll keep my sister safe," I said firmly. "Very funny..." she muttered, but there was a satisfied gleam in her eyes. "I'm the one making the rules here... Your sister will be safe... but only if you do what I say." I just agreed, and she walked out the door as if she had won a war. I needed time, that's all. Enough time to find a way to escape with Elena. To take my sister away from that house, from that woman. To give her a decent life, the life she deserves. And if the price was becoming the wife of a demon, so be it. All that mattered was keeping my sister safe. **** The clock struck eight when I heard the sound of a car pulling up in front of the mansion. My heart sank. Victoria was pacing back and forth, looking a little anxious, I wasn't sure. She started arranging the cushions that no one would notice. She turned to me and said, "Remember to smile, just answer, don't ask any questions," she whispered before the doorbell rang. "And you, try not to let them see that you're drunk," I replied impatiently. She restrained herself from hitting me again; my face was still red and swollen. She wouldn't dare. Or would she? But she couldn't hit me now, could she? Not with visitors at the door. She growled softly but didn't answer. The door opened with an ominous creak. A man in a dark suit entered, tall, elegant, unshaven, with sharp eyes. But he wasn't wearing a mask, so of course he wasn't the heir. He was a guard dog. One of his men. "I'm Giancarlo. I represent the Marino family," he said dryly. "I've come to confirm that Miss Isabella Carter will sign the marriage contract tomorrow." "Yes... She will," Victoria stepped forward, pulling my arm as if to show off a trophy. "The legitimate daughter of Richard Carter is honored by the opportunity." I felt her nails almost pierce my arm. Giancarlo looked at me curiously. For a moment, I saw something different in his eyes. He stared at my red cheek from the earlier slap. And in that same instant, he seemed to realize that I wasn't accepting this of my own free will. "Do you know who you're getting involved with?" he asked, still serious. "Yes, I do..." I replied, trying to lighten the mood. He said nothing more. He just took a small device out of his pocket, clicked something, and spoke quickly in another language. Then he nodded. "The confirmation will be sent. The official contract should be signed tomorrow. The ceremony will be discreet. Wait for instructions." "That's it?" I asked. "This is just the beginning," he replied, before turning his back and disappearing through the front door. When the car sped away and I couldn't hear it anymore... I sat down on the sofa and grabbed a pillow... I felt my whole body go weak at that moment. I took a deep breath... My sister, Elena, appeared on the stairs, holding a worn teddy bear, her eyes wide with fear. She walked over to me... With those big, round eyes. But she was sad. "Are you really leaving?" She sat down next to me. Still looking at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile that hurt more than any slap. "No, sweetie... I'm just going to find a way to get us out of here," I whispered to her, stroking her cheek. And this time, I was going to make it. Even if I had to go through hell with a masked husband by my side.