Married to the mafia daughter

The Proposal

Chapter 1: The Proposal

The rain poured down in sheets, each drop a reminder of the storm brewing within the Romano household. Luca Romano stared out the window, his thoughts as turbulent as the weather outside. The soft hum of conversation floated through the air, but he couldn’t focus. His family’s financial crisis weighed heavily on his shoulders, and now, as the eldest son, he felt the pressure to find a solution.

“Luca!” his mother’s voice broke through his reverie. She stood in the doorway, her face pale but determined. “You need to come downstairs. They’re here.”

“Who’s here?” Luca asked, frowning. He wasn’t in the mood for company.

“The DeLucas,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly. “Your father has arranged something. You need to hear it.”

Luca’s stomach dropped. The DeLucas were one of the most powerful families in the city—a name synonymous with fear and respect. The thought of an arranged marriage made his skin crawl, but with their family’s situation becoming dire, he knew he had little choice.

As he walked down the stairs, the atmosphere grew heavier. The grand dining room was filled with members of the DeLuca family, their presence commanding and intimidating. At the head of the table sat Giovanni DeLuca, his father’s old friend and the head of the family.

“Luca, my boy!” Giovanni boomed, his voice booming like thunder. “It’s good to see you. We have an exciting proposition for you.”

Luca clenched his jaw. He knew what was coming.

“You’ll be marrying my daughter, Isabella.” Giovanni’s words echoed through the room, leaving a thick silence in their wake.

Luca’s heart raced, a mixture of disbelief and dread flooding through him. “Marrying?” he echoed, trying to mask his shock. “But I—”

“It’s a wise decision,” Giovanni interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Your families will be united, and this marriage will strengthen both of us. Isabella needs a strong husband by her side, and you need the security.”

As Luca’s gaze landed on Isabella across the table, he saw her expression—a mix of defiance and resignation. She was beautiful, with fiery eyes and a determination that matched his own. But beneath the surface, he sensed a vulnerability that mirrored his own.

“What does she think?” he asked, unwilling to make a decision without her input.

Isabella met his gaze, her eyes narrowing. “I think I have no choice, just like you.”