Chapter 6: The Bride's Ultimatum
769 Words
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the De Luca estate.
Aurora stood on the balcony outside her room, staring at the endless gardens below.
It looked more like a palace than a home.
Fountains sparkled in the morning light.
Luxury cars lined the driveway.
Armed guards patrolled every entrance.
There was only one word to describe it.
A fortress.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
No matter how beautiful the estate was, it still felt like a prison.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss Bennett?"
It was Isabella.
"You should get dressed."
Aurora didn't turn around.
"I told you yesterday."
"I'm not marrying Alessandro."
"I know."
"Then why are you here?"
Isabella smiled gently.
"Because he still wants you downstairs."
Aurora sighed.
"Fine."
"But nothing will change my mind."
Twenty minutes later...
Aurora walked into the enormous dining hall.
The table could easily seat thirty people.
Only one seat was occupied.
Alessandro.
He calmly read the morning newspaper while drinking black coffee.
Without looking up, he spoke.
"Sit."
Aurora remained standing.
"I'd rather stand."
He folded the newspaper and finally looked at her.
"You skipped dinner."
"I'm not hungry."
"You'll need your strength."
She frowned.
"For what?"
"For surviving today."
Her stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?"
Instead of answering, Alessandro pushed a file across the table.
"Open it."
Aurora hesitated before picking it up.
Inside were photographs.
Her apartment.
Her university.
Her mother's workplace.
Every picture had been taken within the last twelve hours.
Her face turned white.
"They've been watching us..."
Alessandro nodded.
"They're getting closer."
Aurora's hands trembled.
"My mother..."
"She's safe."
"I've placed people around her."
"You promised that yesterday."
"And I keep my promises."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Why are you doing all of this for someone you barely know?"
For several seconds...
He said nothing.
Then he answered quietly.
"Because innocent people shouldn't die for my war."
His words caught her off guard.
This wasn't the monster the newspapers described.
Meanwhile...
In an abandoned monastery outside Rome...
Riccardo Moretti stood before dozens of armed men.
"The attack failed."
One man lowered his head.
"Our apologies, Boss."
Riccardo smiled.
"I didn't expect it to succeed."
The room fell silent.
"I wanted Alessandro to become emotional."
"And he did."
He walked toward a large map spread across the table.
"When powerful men begin protecting one person..."
"They become predictable."
He pointed directly at the De Luca estate.
"He's bringing her home."
"Which means..."
"He'll soon introduce her to the family."
Riccardo smiled.
"And that's when we'll strike."
Back at the estate...
Aurora wandered through the library.
Thousands of books covered the towering shelves.
She stopped in front of a framed photograph.
It showed a much younger Alessandro.
He looked no older than sixteen.
Standing beside him was another teenage boy.
Both were smiling.
It was the first time she'd ever seen Alessandro smile.
Marco.
Before she could study it further, a deep voice spoke behind her.
"That was taken fifteen years ago."
She turned.
Alessandro slowly walked toward her.
"You smiled."
He glanced at the photograph.
"I used to."
"What changed?"
His expression darkened.
"Life."
Aurora carefully placed the picture back.
"I'm sorry about Marco."
"So am I."
She looked at him.
"You love your people."
"I protect them."
"That's not what I asked."
For a brief moment...
Silence filled the library.
Finally, Alessandro admitted,
"They're my family."
Aurora smiled faintly.
"I knew it."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Knew what?"
"That the man everyone fears..."
"...still has a heart."
For the first time...
Alessandro didn't deny it.
The peace lasted only seconds.
Suddenly—
The estate alarms screamed.
Red emergency lights flashed throughout the mansion.
A guard burst into the library.
"Boss!"
"We've found an explosive device at the east gate!"
Another guard rushed in.
"And there's a second one near the main entrance!"
Alessandro's expression instantly turned cold.
"Evacuate the civilians."
"Search every building."
"Seal the estate."
"Yes, Boss!"
Aurora's heart pounded.
"They're here?"
He nodded.
"They're testing our defenses."
A loud explosion shook the mansion.
The windows rattled violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Aurora instinctively stumbled backward.
Before she could fall—
A strong arm caught her.
Alessandro.
Their eyes met.
For one brief moment...
Everything else disappeared.
Then another explosion thundered outside.
Alessandro released her and reached for his pistol.
He looked toward the burning gardens.
"They're not after the estate."
Aurora frowned.
"What do you mean?"
His voice became dangerously quiet.
"They're here for you."
Outside...
Hidden among the smoke...
A sniper adjusted his scope.
The red laser slowly settled...
Directly on Aurora's chest.
- Writer
