contract with the devil

The Bitter Pill

I never thought my own sister would sell me to the devil.

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I sat at the long mahogany dinner table in our family mansion. This was supposed to be my escape night. After months of planning, I had finally worked up the courage to end my arranged engagement to Marco, that cruel underboss who treated women like property. I wanted out of this mafia world for good. But the air in the room felt heavy, like something terrible was about to happen.

"Are you ready for this, Liana?" my father asked from the head of the table, his voice cold and sharp.

I swallowed hard. "Yes, Dad. I have to do this. I cannot marry Marco. He is dangerous and I refuse to live like this anymore."

Sophia, my older sister, sat beside me looking elegant in her designer dress. She gave me a sweet smile that almost seemed genuine. "You look so tense, little sister. Here, drink this. It will help calm your nerves before you speak to everyone."

She poured a full glass of red wine and slid it toward me.

I hesitated for a second. Sophia had never been this kind before. But tonight I needed all the courage I could get. "Thank you, Sophia. I really appreciate it."

I took the glass and drank deeply. The wine tasted slightly bitter, but I finished most of it anyway. "I just want a normal life. No more deals, no more violence, no more being used as a pawn."

My father frowned. "You know it is not that simple, Liana. Our family has obligations."

"I do not care about obligations anymore," I shot back, my voice rising. "Marco hits me when he gets angry. Did you know that? He treats me like I am his slave. I will not live like Mom did."

Sophia placed her hand on my arm. "Calm down. Finish your wine. Everything will work out. Trust me."

I drank the rest of the glass. For a moment I felt warm and a little dizzy. "Sophia, why are you being so nice tonight? You usually tell me to stop dreaming and accept my place."

She laughed softly. "Maybe I finally understand you. You are my sister after all. Now tell me exactly what you plan to say to Marco when he arrives."

I rubbed my temples as the room started to feel fuzzy. "I will tell him the engagement is off. I will say I am leaving the family if I have to. I have saved some money. I can disappear."

My father slammed his hand on the table. "You will do no such thing. You are a Miller. You have responsibilities."

"Dad, please," I begged. "You know what Marco is like. Last week he threatened to..."

My words started to slur. The lights above the table began to spin. "Sophia... what was in that drink?"

She leaned closer, her smile turning cold. "Just something to help you relax, Liana. You will thank me later."

My head felt too heavy. Strong arms caught me as I slipped from my chair. Voices faded away. Then everything went completely black.

When I opened my eyes, my head was pounding. I blinked against the bright morning light coming through huge windows. The sheets under me felt incredibly soft and expensive against my skin. I sat up fast and realized with pure horror that I was completely naked.

This was not my bedroom.

"Where am I?" I whispered, yanking the silk sheet up to cover my body.

A deep, commanding voice answered from across the room. "You are in my penthouse."

I gasped and turned my head. A tall, powerfully built man stood by the window, already dressed in a sharp black suit. His dark eyes stared at me with intense focus. He looked dangerous and in complete control.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking. "What am I doing here? What happened last night?"

The man took a few steps closer. "My name is Alessio Romano. As for last night, you and I had a very memorable time together."

My stomach twisted. "No. That is impossible. I do not even know you. I was at my family dinner and then... Sophia gave me wine and everything went blurry."

Alessio picked up a remote and turned on a large screen on the wall. "Maybe this will refresh your memory."

Photos appeared. Clear photos of me and him in bed. My arms around his neck. His hands on my body. Then a video started playing. I heard my own voice moaning loudly, calling his name.

"Turn it off!" I screamed, covering my face. "Please turn it off right now!"

He paused the video. "It is too late for that. These images and videos are already spreading everywhere in the underworld. Your family has seen them. Marco has seen them. Your reputation is completely destroyed."

Tears burned my eyes. "This cannot be real. I was drugged. My sister must have set this up. I would never..."

"You did," Alessio said calmly. "And now we have a serious problem."

I clutched the sheet tighter around me. "What do you want from me? Money? An apology? I do not remember anything."

Alessio walked right up to the side of the bed and looked down at me. "I want you to marry me."

I stared at him in shock. "Are you insane? I do not even know you. I will not marry a stranger just because of some photos."

He crossed his arms over his broad chest. "You do not have many options, Liana Miller. Your family is demanding a solution to this scandal. Marco wants revenge. If you refuse me, I cannot protect you or your family from what comes next."

"Protect me?" I laughed bitterly. "You are the one who took advantage of me while I was drugged."

Alessio raised an eyebrow. "From the video, it did not look like you were complaining. But that is not the point. The point is survival. Sign the contract and I will make all of this go away."

He picked up a thick folder from the table and dropped it on the bed next to me. "Open it."

I opened the folder with trembling hands. "What is this?"

"Marriage contract," he said. "You move in here immediately. You live as my wife. You share my bed every single night. And within two years, you give me an heir. In return, I protect you and your family from any consequences of last night."

I shook my head hard. "No. Absolutely not. I wanted freedom, not to become your prisoner. I will not agree to this."

Alessio leaned down, placing one hand on the bed close to me. His dark eyes locked onto mine. "Look at me, Liana. Right now your naked pictures are circulating. Your father is furious. Marco is looking for blood. If you walk out that door without my protection, you will not last a week. Sign it and I will keep you safe."

My hands shook as I held the papers. "Why are you doing this? You could pick any woman. Why force me?"

"Because last night felt right," he said quietly. "And this marriage will be good for both families. It is business. But make no mistake, I always get what I want."

I looked up at him, anger burning through my fear. "You are a monster, Alessio Romano."

He gave a small, cold smile. "Maybe I am. But I am the monster standing between you and people who want you dead. Now sign the papers."

Tears ran down my cheeks as I stared at the contract. Every line felt like chains wrapping around me. Live with him. Sleep with him. Have his child. No real escape.

"I hate you," I whispered.

"You can hate me all you want," he replied. "But sign it."

With my heart breaking, I picked up the pen. My hand shook badly as I wrote my name at the bottom of the page.

Alessio took the signed contract and placed it back in the folder. "Good choice, Liana."

I wiped my tears and glared at him. "This is not the end. I will find out what really happened. I will find a way out of this nightmare. I promise you that."

Alessio smirked as he walked toward the door. "You can try, little one. But from now on, you belong to me."

He paused at the doorway and looked back. "Lawyers will be here in one hour to make it official. Get dressed. Your new life starts today."

The door closed behind him with a soft click. I collapsed against the pillows, my body sore and my mind spinning. I felt completely trapped.

But deep inside, a small spark of defiance refused to die.

I would survive Alessio Romano.

And one day, I would make my sister pay for what she did to me.