Prologue

Everyone felt tense as the upcoming wedding approached. Inside her car, the bride, Maddie, contemplated her circumstances with a heavy sigh. She was about to marry a man she barely knew, a stranger to her. In fact, they hadn't even met in person yet. This marriage had been arranged by her father, leaving Maddie without any say or choice in the matter.

Suddenly, a knock on her car window startled her, drawing her attention. Opening the window, Maddie was met by her younger sister, Violet, who wore a forced smile tinged with sadness. Violet took a seat next to Maddie, offering her warm support by holding her hand. As their hands touched, Maddie's cold palms revealed her nervousness.

"The wedding is about to start," Violet softly stated, concern evident in her voice. "Are you ready?" she asked, knowing that this was a pivotal moment in Maddie's life.

Maddie managed a weary smile, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "No, Violet, I'm not ready, but I know I have no choice, do I? This is what our father wants, and if I resist... he'll hurt me."

Violet embraced her sister tightly, her voice filled with longing. "I wish it could be me instead, sis. I would willingly take your place. After everything you've endured with our father, you deserve happiness, not this."

"It's alright, Violet. If we defy Papa, he might redirect his anger towards you. I'll be fine. I just have to fulfill my responsibilities as a dutiful wife to my future husband."

Worry etched across her face, Violet gently pulled away from her sister.

"But, sis, we've heard so many rumors about your soon-to-be-husband. They claim he's ruthless and heartless, with nothing good said about him. They even say he's the cruelest among all the generations of Moretti. I worry that if Papa no longer hurts you, your husband might." Violet clutched her older sister's hand tightly, her concern evident.

Maddie's voice trailed off, losing its certainty over time, as if the weight of her sister's words was starting to sink in. "I hope not..." she whispered, her skepticism growing.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Mildred, Maddie’s stepmother appeared. "Violet, step out of the car. The wedding is about to begin," she commanded, her tone lacking warmth. Then, she turned to address the bride. "Don't forget to smile and pretend to be happy. We both know that any mistake would incur the wrath of your cruel father." Her reminder seemed unnecessary, as if living with her father hadn't already ingrained that fact in Maddie’s mind.

In this wedding, Maddie is about to see her future husband's face in person for the very first time. Until now, she has only seen him in photographs, as he is constantly occupied with work, sometimes in other countries. The groom's parents are the only people Maddie has interacted with in relation to the wedding.

As Maddie slowly walks down the church aisle, she feels a mix of nervousness and anticipation. Accompanied by her father and stepmother, they guide her towards the altar where she will ultimately hand her hand to her future husband.

Her father's words weigh heavily on Maddie's mind as they echo in her thoughts, filling her with both fear and apprehension. "Be a good wife, Maddie. If your husband divorces you, you already know the consequences. Obey his every command, avoid displeasing him, and ensure that our family name remains untarnished. Your marriage holds immense significance for our business ventures, so it is crucial that you embody the qualities of a proper wife," he tells her, his smile directed at the wedding guests.

Maddie glanced at her father, her apprehension growing despite his smiling demeanor towards the guests. Something about his words made her uneasy.

Then, Maddie's gaze fell upon her future husband. Their eyes met, and she felt an immediate urge to retreat. Even though her face was veiled, the intensity of the man's stare seemed to penetrate through.

A wave of fear and a chilling sensation washed over her. There was an air of ruthlessness and danger that emanated from him. His cold, almost emotionless eyes locked onto her, causing her knees to tremble involuntarily.

"Marco, please take good care of my daughter," Maddie's father said, his smile still present as he offered his daughter's hand to the man.

Maddie felt a chill shoot through her hand as Marco held it. She stole a quick glance at her soon-to-be-husband's hand before locking eyes with Marco, whose gaze seemed to penetrate through her veil.

"I will, sir," Marco responded formally to Maddie's father. They then made their way together towards the altar, ready to embark on their wedding ceremony.

Anxiety washed over Maddie as the ceremony commenced, and it was in that moment, when Marco uttered the words, "I do," that the weight of her situation finally dawned upon her.

The priest's gaze bore into her, causing her to gulp nervously. She knew there was no escaping the inevitable, even though becoming tied to a man who seemed to bring peril into her existence was far from her heart's desire.

Marco shot a brief, impatient glance at Maddie, silently demanding her response. Maddie drew in a deep breath, fully aware of the repercussions that would follow if she didn't comply with her father's wishes.

"I-I do, Father," she managed to utter, fighting back the tears welling up within her. The weight of her emotions remained contained, locked away deep within her chest.

As the priest finally proclaimed that the groom could seal their union with a kiss, Maddie and Marco turned towards each other, their faces held in anticipation.

Marco gently lifted the veil that concealed Maddie's face, revealing her new husband's cold expression. Maddie shut her eyes tightly as Marco approached her.

Without wasting a moment, Marco planted a swift kiss on Maddie's lips, eliciting applause from the delighted audience. But amidst the joyous atmosphere, Maddie couldn't shake the feeling of regret. She stood alone in a grand room, facing a grand mirror, brushing her hair and steeling herself for what awaited her on the first night of her marriage.

As Maddie brushed her hair, the door to the room opened, and in the mirror, she caught sight of her husband approaching.

Setting down her hairbrush, Maddie turned to face Marco, who stood behind her with an air of pride and honor.

"If this is not what you want, I will understand if you refuse," Marco spoke, his voice cold and composed.

Maddie's gaze dropped, apprehensive about what lay ahead. She did not desire this. She did not wish to be touched by a man she did not love, nor did she desire any intimacy with a man she barely knew beyond their wedding day. But what choice did she have? She felt obliged to fulfill her husband's needs. Her father's words echoed in her mind, instilling an obligation she found difficult to refute.

Marco sighed, and Maddie raised her gaze to meet his. Her eyes widened when she saw Marco undressing.

"If you're not going to say anything to stop me, I will take it as permission to have sex with you," Marco stated.

Maddie firmly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stood up and slowly removed her nightdress.

Marco's lips parted in surprise at his wife's actions. Nevertheless, the desires of his flesh overpowered his other emotions.

He quickly pulled his wife into a deep kiss, catching Maddie off guard, leaving her with no time to close her eyes. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the bed with Marco on top of her.

Marco's movements were swift. He removed Maddie's underwear and looked at her one last time before speaking again.

"You can still stop me," Marco said in a hoarse voice.

Maddie took a deep breath and shook her head. "This is my obligation as your wife. You don't have to ask me again. Do it."

Marco retrieved a condom, put it on, and then positioned himself before slowly entering Maddie. She screamed in pain and discomfort as she accepted her husband's entirety.

Maddie involuntarily pulled Marco's hair as he continued to penetrate her slowly.

Tears streamed down Maddie's face as she felt Marco's fullness inside her. She gradually began to feel Marco's movements.

That night, Maddie was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. She succumbed to her husband's advances, but tears streamed down her face as she grappled with uncertainty about whether this was the life she truly wanted.

They spent a passionate night together, but Maddie's exhaustion prevented her from fully retaining the memories of that evening.

The following morning, Maddie awoke to an empty bed, realizing that her husband had left the country without informing her, leaving her feeling abandoned and alone.