Chapter 1

PRESENT DAY

BELLA MARINO 

I sit quietly in the corner of my Dad's office. My hand clenched in my lap as I listened to the conversation between the two influential and deadly enemies. Blood is pulsing in my ears so loudly that I can barely make out their words. 

My life is being decided right now, and I can barely spit a word as I've just returned 4 days ago, and all I've heard from my dad's mouth are a bunch of cursory words the entire time. 

I was just 9 years old when my mother passed away and the postmortem details revealed that she died due to an overdose of sleeping pills in the pudding which was served by me to her. 

After her death, things changed drastically, and so did my dad. He barely spoke to me as I reminded him of my mom. 

I was sent to an all-girls boarding school as he couldn't stand my existence anymore in the house. I was kept away for years, and even after graduating from high school, I was sent to live with my grand aunt.

I was called back after 10 years, just after my grandfather passed away, to pay the last rights to him. Everything has changed but the thing that remains the same is my dad's attitude. 

Mr Antonio Barine stands from his seat and shakes my Dad's hand. They agreed on something, which was my future, and I was busy replaying the events of my whole life and how life be if there had been my Mom. 

“So, Bella and Enzo are getting married next week. See you next week, Mario.”, Mr. Antonio nods and firmly shakes his hand before letting go. He glanced at me before leaving the room and I was in utter shock.

He can't just barter me like a cattle. My lips trembled and tears were about to fall. 

“Dad, after keeping me away for years, you can't do this to me. Please!” 

I rose from my seat, but he suddenly raised his hand and stopped me in my tracks, “Do as you're told, Bella. You've no say in this.” 

“ I don't want to marry Enzo Barone. He hates me ever since we were kids, Dad.” 

Our families were at war for so long. I don't know much about him other than his favourite double chocolate muffins and his mother passing away a few years ago. 

I was affirmative of the fact that he also holds the title of being a ruthless mafia and I don't want to be a part of him or his mafia lifestyle. 

“ Please, Papa, don't make me do this. I don't even know him.”

“ I also never knew your mother before marriage and we eventually had a great marriage.” 

“ I beg you, papa, please. Don't make me marry him. I won't be happy ever again.” 

“ Your happiness doesn't matter to me anymore. This is for the union of both Marino and Baroness passed by the will of our ancestors. We're obliged to follow the will; otherwise, we both will not be able to get any of the inheritance.” 

My forehead wrinkled in confusion and I moved closer to have a look at the papers dispersed on the table. The union was highlighted in bold letters, and before I could read a word more, they were snatched from my father. He walks away with them and puts them in a locker away from me. 

“ The ancestors of both the families decreed this union in their wills.” 

“ There'll be a way out, Papa. Grandfather would never agree to this. They've been enemies from their childhood. Why would they want us to marry, Papa? Why would they want a union of Marino's and Barones?”, I say, confused. 

“They did. He did. We're just supposed to do this wedding. None of us gets the inheritance unless this wedding happens.” 

So it all comes down to what always mattered the most to my Dad-money. He will probably lose everything he owns, and I don't want to be the reason for this, nor do I have a say in this. 

“Start preparing; you have to get ready for Bella.” he glared at me, and with that, he left the room. 

This happens to be the last nail in the coffin. There'll be a wedding and I'll be the bride of Enzo Barone. 

I never had a say in any of my life decisions and so does this wedding. I hate the fact that I can't even choose the man of my life. I don't have any hopes for this marriage. At least, I deserved a happy ever after, but I guess marrying Enzo Barone is no less than digging my own grave.