The bride of the pact

VIVIANA “No, you don't need me reminding you that you’re a shithead! f**k you, Dante!” I barked into the phone and slammed it onto the table. The impact cracked the screen. Fuck. f**k. “What do I do now?” I whispered through the tears slipping from my eyes, sobbing silently. I hated the mafia. Not just for their violence, but for their cold, merciless decisions that only benefited themselves—never me. The one mafia man I hated the most was my father. Calling him “father” by title alone made me want to puke. “Viviana Rossetti, the mafia business and family come first before you. Always remember this, my girl.” His words echoed in my ears for the hundredth time today. “Miss Viviana, may I come in?” Livia, my personal maid, called softly at the door. I quickly wiped my face with my shirt. I didn’t want her to see me crying—she’d flood me with useless emotional speeches. “Yes, Livia. Come in.” She entered carrying a tray, but I didn’t care what was on it. I moved toward the window, looking away. “Pardon me, Miss. If I heard right, I think you were sobbing. Is everything alright? Could I help?” “I’m fine, Livia. Just do your thing and leave.” I couldn’t handle her drama now. “If this is about your dad and the family tradition, I understand.” “You don’t understand s**t, Livia! You don’t! So please… just leave. Now.” I cut her off, frustrated from hearing the same words over and over. “I understand.” Nobody understood or gave a damn about how I felt. Not even Livia. “You haven’t eaten since yesterday. I brought you tea—please take it. I don’t want you starving.” “Livia… leave.” “Okay. I’m sorry for disturbing you, ma’am.” What the? That was the first time since Livia was hired that she called me ma’am. She usually said Miss Viviana around others or Vivi when we were alone. Having Livia around, made me feel comfortable and safe like a child with her older sibling walking through the midst of her bullies confidently, knowing fully that she would fight back anyone that dare touched you. One time during my early teenage years, she had followed me for a walk to clear my head after from a very silly heartbreak from my crush at school and we were confronted by some bullies and Livia... Damn! She kicked their asses. That alone made me see her like a friend and sister and not just my maid. I turned to her, annoyed. “Don’t ever call me ma’am, Livia Romano.” “I’m sorry, Vivi.” She quickly retreated from the room. La mia bambina! My mother burst into my room immediately after. “I’m not your baby girl. And since when did you forget to knock before entering my room?” “Viviana, my pride. I know you’re angry with me and your papa, but trust me, we’re doing what’s best for you. You look unkempt…” “Mrs. Donatella Rossetti, I don’t need you in my room. You and Father are the worst.” “You claim you’re doing what’s best for me, but all I see is your selfish gain—Father’s selfish gain.” “Don’t you dare talk to me that way again, young woman.” “The traditions of the family must be kept, and at this time… La Sposa del Patto must stand.” “I understand you weren’t aware. But La Sposa del Patto means the Bride of the Pact. Viviana, you’re the only bride for this pact, which will benefit you and the family.” “Mama, please. Enough with the traditions s**t. It’s not the 15th century anymore. These things are dead. I can’t and won’t marry someone I don’t know. You and Father better deal with it.” “Viviana! La famiglia viene prima di te, sempre! Drive that into your head.” “And in case you missed the meaning, that means family comes before you, always. I’m done here.” “Mama, you can’t do this to me. It’s me, Viviana. I thought I used to have a say in what I wanted.” I rushed to stop her but she slapped me away. “Well, this time you don’t.” Shock hit me. Mama slapped me. For the first f*****g time in my life. Hot tears streamed down my face. Honestly, I didn’t know what hurt more—being forced to marry a stranger or my mother’s betrayal. My chest felt heavy, breath coming hard, tears choking me. That’s all I remembered before waking up in my bed with Livia and the two people I hated most—my parents—standing beside me. “Vivi,” Livia rushed to hold my face. “What happened?” I asked, confused about how I ended up in bed. “I was coming back to your room when I saw Mama storm out, then heard a loud thud. I rushed in to find you on the floor,” Livia said, rubbing something off my head. “Viviana, you have to stop whatever nonsense you’re planning. Since when do you faint? If this is some stunt to avoid marrying Jake Giordano, you better drop it and face reality.” “Viviana Rossetti! You’re getting married to Jake Giordano as long as I live!” Father thundered and stormed out. Livia stood confused as Mama looked like she was about to cry. “Vi, I didn’t expect you to pull any silly stunts,” Mama said, drawing closer. “Mama, I swear I don’t know what happened. I’m confused about how I got here.” “Viviana, please stop. It pains me to see you desperate to disobey.” “Mama, I know I’m against this marriage, but this wasn’t intentional. It just happened.” “The doctor will come later to check on you. God help you, Viviana. Let it not be what I’m thinking.” Livia looked at me wide-eyed, confused and silent as we watched Mama leave. “Vivi, what does Mama mean… Are you pregnant?” “Livia, I don’t know what to do.”