Chapter One:The Engagement

SERAFINA’S POV

The black Mercedes pulled up smoothly to the front gates of the Vitale estate. I stepped out, walking towards the front door. My performance tonight was exceptional as usual, I loved the thrill that went through the crowd whenever I finished a piece. But as I approached the house, a rising sense of danger seemed to slowly encircle me. I shook it off and walked in.

I stepped into the foyer, glancing around. The opulence of our family home always left me in awe. I heard footsteps approach

“Signoria” came a soft voice from behind. I turned to see Tessa, our family maid approaching with a soft smile on her face. Tessa had been with the family for as long as I can remember. Ever since we lost mum, she has been a constant.

“How are you, Tessa?” I smiled in return

“I am fine Cara (dear). You’re home late tonight”, Tessa said taking my coat and scarf that I was about to put up. She kissed my cheeks “You were amazing tonight as always” she gushed, her eyes shining with pride

“Thank you!” I grinned back, basking in the warmth of her compliment.

“Your father is waiting for you in his study, he asked that you come up as soon as you get home” she said.

My smile faded knowing that this couldn’t be good. My father only summoned me to his study when he had something very important to say.

“Did he say what it was about?”

Tessa shook her head in the negative “No Cara, but we know him well enough to know this can’t be good” Tessa said in a sympathetic tone.

I did know exactly what she meant, my father’s study wasn’t for laughs or tea dates. I sighed and ran my hands down my dress.

“Thank you Tessa” I forced a small smile “I'll go see what he needs” I responded before turning towards the hallway. The walk to his study seemed endless.

I knocked briskly on the heavy oak door and waited for a response.

“Come in!” My father’s authoritative voice boomed from within. With a firm push, the heavy oak creaked open, revealing the dimly lit study door.

There was a lingering smell of Cigar. Shelves lined with books most of them first editions framed the imposing desk where my father sat.

His head is bent over some documents on his table, and he takes his time to sort through them before glancing up at me, my eyes connect with his trying to read his expression but he looks away guilty.

“Sit Sera” I rolled my eyes at the nickname he always used while I took a sit.

“A truce has been agreed upon with the Bratva”...My father's voice was calm but his gaze was unyielding..” You are to be married to Adriko Ivanov” my father said to me whilst leaning back in his chair and observing my expression.

I tensed instantly, his words hit me like a slap, the type that stings long after it lands. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. Marriage? To the Bratva kingpin? The idea sounded like a cruel joke that for a moment I almost laughed but the look in my father's eyes told me otherwise.

I narrowed my eyes at him and in a panicked voice said “You can’t be serious papa, I can’t marry Adriko, that is not what I want”

“Enough!”, he said sharply, his fist slamming down onto the oak desk, silencing me instantly. He leaned forward, his dark eyes pinning me in place.” This isn’t up for discussion, Serafina,” my father said, his voice cold and absolute.“Don Marco has spoken, and so have I. You’re to marry Adrik Ivanov. It’s the only way to end this War!!”

I got up so quickly that the chair fell over, hitting the floor with a loud thud. I clenched my fists at my sides as I stared daggers at my father, my breathing harsh and fast.

“You’re offering me up like a lamb to slaughter, all because of your mistakes?” I shot back, my voice trembling with fury and restrained tears. Everyone knew how it was my father’s error that sparked the war in the first place.

He fixed me with a piercing gaze “I know this is hard for you to accept figlia mia (my daughter ) but my hands are tied” he said in a rueful tone

“ This is my burden to end, and this truce would be the only way to put a halt to all the bloodshed. The camorra will not bow to the bratva and they won’t bow to us.”

I looked down in an attempt to stop the tears that were threatening to spill down my face. I always thought I would be able to pursue my dream at The Metropolitan Opera, travel the world, and let love find me in due time but this was such a brutal slap to my face I felt the weight of my father’s words squeezing my heart. I decided to try again to make him see reason.

“But what about my life? My dreams? I asked, my voice breaking. “You know how much performing means to me, Papa. Why let me build this life just to rip it away? Just because your mistakes have come back to haunt you?”

He stands, walks around his desk, and approaches me.” Mi dispiace,tesoro mio” (I’m sorry my darling) he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

I sighed realizing there was no way out of this. Even if I tried to bypass my father, I couldn’t bypass the Don.

“When is the wedding?” I asked in a resigned tone,deciding to accept my fate.

“A week from today, everything is being arranged. You don’t have to bother about anything.”

Like I would even bother, I scoff inwardly as I watch him move back to his table and bring out a box. He opens it and a marquise-shaped diamond ring glinted under the study’s harsh light.

”This arrived from Adrik.” My father said, “You’ll wear it starting tonight.”

My breath hitched; It was beautiful, but a cruel mockery of the life I had dreamed for myself.

I snatched the box from my father, ripples of barely controlled rage crawling across my skin. With nothing else to say to my father, I turned and fled the room, the sound of my footsteps echoing down the hallway like the pounding of my heart.

Once inside my room, I slammed and locked the door, collapsing against it as tears finally spilled down my cheeks. My gaze caught my open window and I crossed the room in quick steps. The cool night air caressed my face as I leaned out, staring down at the lush garden and lake that once used to be an escape for me. With a surge of defiance, I hurled the box far into the darkness. The diamond caught the moonlight before disappearing with a distant satisfying plop…

As I made to turn away from the window, I had a distinct feeling that I was being watched. My pulse accelerated in fear. From the side of my eye, I saw a figure shuffle through the garden. I couldn't see who it was but I knew it wasn’t Tessa, and it wasn't one of my father's guards……