The Wedding Bargain
973 Words
Serena didn't sleep.
How could she?
Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the same words.
For becoming my wife.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the wedding ring lying on the table beside her.
It wasn't even hers yet.
But somehow, it already felt like a prison.
A soft knock came at the door.
Serena didn't answer.
The door opened anyway.
Her father stood there.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
“Leave,” Serena whispered.
“Serena—”
“Leave.”
Vittorio stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“I know you're angry.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Angry?”
Her eyes burned.
“You sold your daughter to a mafia boss.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“You should have told me the truth.”
“There wasn't time.”
“There is always time to tell your daughter she's being traded like property.”
Vittorio looked exhausted.
He sat across from her.
“Dante Moretti isn't like the men you see on the news.”
“I know exactly who he is.”
“No, you don't.”
Her father leaned forward.
“Dante's father was murdered twelve years ago. His mother died two years later. He believes our family was responsible.”
Serena's expression changed.
“What?”
“That's why he hates us.”
“Were we?”
Vittorio didn't answer.
Her heart sank.
“Father…”
“There are things about our family that you were never meant to know.”
“Then tell me now.”
Before he could respond, footsteps sounded outside.
A moment later, the door opened.
Dante stood there.
His gaze moved between them.
“Time.”
Serena stood.
“Time for what?”
“Your wedding.”
Her eyes widened.
“Today?”
“Tonight.”
“You're insane.”
Dante didn't react.
“Everything has been arranged.”
“I haven't agreed to anything.”
“You don't need to.”
Serena stepped toward him.
“You think money gives you the right to control everyone?”
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“Power does.”
She stared at him.
Dante walked into the room and placed a black folder on the table.
“Your father's debt is erased the moment you sign the marriage contract.”
Serena didn't touch it.
“And if I refuse?”
“Your father goes to prison.”
She looked at Vittorio.
“Is that true?”
Dante answered.
“Worse.”
He opened the folder.
Inside were photographs.
Documents.
Bank statements.
Names.
Serena's stomach twisted.
“What is all this?”
“Evidence.”
“Of what?”
“Your father's crimes.”
Vittorio closed his eyes.
Serena felt betrayed all over again.
“You lied to me.”
“I was protecting you.”
“You keep saying that!”
Dante watched them without emotion.
Serena wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Why are you doing this?”
Dante's jaw tightened.
“Because revenge is the only thing your family understands.”
He turned to leave.
Serena called after him.
“Dante.”
He stopped.
“If I marry you, will you leave my father alone?”
“Yes.”
“And me?”
Dante slowly turned around.
“You'll live in my house.”
“Under your rules?”
“Under my protection.”
She almost laughed.
“Protection from whom?”
His eyes darkened.
“Everyone.”
“Even you?”
For the first time, Dante looked unsettled.
Only for a second.
Then his expression hardened again.
“Especially me.”
He left.
Serena stared at the closed door.
She knew she should run.
She knew she should fight.
But she also knew her father had created a debt that could cost them everything.
So she picked up the contract.
Her fingers trembled as she read the final page.
At the bottom was Dante's signature.
Dante Moretti.
Below it was a blank line waiting for hers.
She picked up the pen.
Then stopped.
Something caught her attention.
A sentence buried deep inside the contract.
The bride shall remain married to the groom until the fulfillment of the conditions specified by the Moretti family.
Serena frowned.
“What conditions?”
Her father suddenly looked terrified.
“Don't sign that.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
Vittorio's voice dropped to a whisper.
“Because that clause means Dante decides when the marriage ends.”
Serena's blood ran cold.
Before she could say anything, the door opened again.
A woman stepped inside.
She was elegant, beautiful, and dressed in a crimson gown.
Her eyes settled on Serena.
Then she smiled.
“Congratulations.”
Serena didn't recognize her.
“Who are you?”
The woman's smile widened.
“I'm Alessia Moretti.”
Dante's sister.
Alessia walked closer.
“I came to give you some advice.”
Serena remained silent.
Alessia leaned toward her.
“Don't fall in love with my brother.”
Serena frowned.
“I hate him.”
Alessia's expression became strangely serious.
“That's what you should keep telling yourself.”
She turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Oh, and Serena?”
“Yes?”
Alessia looked over her shoulder.
“If Dante discovers what your father has been hiding from him…”
She paused.
“You won't survive this marriage.”
Then she walked away.
Serena stood frozen.
Her eyes moved slowly toward her father.
“What have you done?”
Vittorio said nothing.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
And somewhere in the mansion, Dante Moretti was preparing for his wedding.
But Serena had no idea that the biggest secret of the night wasn't the reason Dante wanted to marry her.
It was the reason someone else wanted her dead.
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