Chapter 8

Sophia went home as soon as she can. Her father and some goons are waiting for her by their garage. She felt scared. Sophia thought that they already killed him. But she let out a sigh of relief when she saw them drag him out of a car. He was beaten, but at least he's still alive. Sophia was about to approach her boyfriend when one of the goons pointed a gun at him.

"I don't think so, sweetheart." Her father said while smiling devilishly. "So you got two choices. You will marry Marionne Castello and provide for this family, or you will marry Mr. Agoncillio and pay for my debts." A large, older man stepped forward.

"I sure hope you would rather marry me." He said while staring at her. He looked like a rabid dog. The only thing missing is him salivating.

"No, I will not marry any man other than him." Sophia firmly said.

"Then we'll give you another choice." The older man said. "You will marry the man you're father or me wanted to you marry, and he will live. Or you can make me angry and then I will kill him: you, your father, and your sister. How about that?" He then said.

Sophia gulped and looked at her boyfriend, who's still spitting blood. Tears started to fall from her eyes as she realizes that she has no other choice. If it were just her father's life, she wouldn't care. But her sister and her boyfriend's lives are at stake.

"Fine, let him go. I'll marry Marionne Castello." She said while gritting her teeth. Sophia watched as they cut the rope binding her boyfriend's hand and feet. Her heart is breaking into million pieces. "I'm sorry." She whispered as he passed her by.

"That's wasn't so hard now, was it?" Her father joked before trying to wrap his arm around her shoulder, but she moved away out of anger. Whatever respect she had left for her father is now completely gone.

"Congratulations, Gregory. You found the perfect husband for your beautiful daughter." The older man greeted her father. "That Marionne Castello has a boatload of money you can cash in the casino."

"That's the plan, Poncio. That's the plan." Her father maniacally said like no one was listening.

He really thought that Sophia would allow him to get even a single centavo from Marionne. Sophia threw a dagger look to her father. She was silently making a vow to herself that he will never let her father get any money from Marionne Castello. She made a promise that she will sell her soul to the devil just to ensure that her father will never find his solution from Marionne.

"I'll go to my room," Sophia said coldly before ascending the stairs.

In her room, she immediately tried to search for Marionne's phone number. When she found it, a plan came up in her mind.

"Marionne, this is Sophia."

[So finally you came home, huh?] She hears him chuckle.

"Let's cut to the chase; I will marry you if that's what you want. But you have to promise me you will never help my father with his debts to that syndicate." Sophia is already decided to undermine her father.

[Are you sure? Your lives will be in danger.] Marionne clarified her willingness.

"You're rich; you can protect my sister and me. Let my father rot in hell." Sophia has never been this surer entire life.

[Okay, then. Let's get married.]

-------

After their conversation ended, Marionne smiled meaningfully. His plans are already in motion. And Sophia being a willing participant, will definitely add a wonderful flavor to everything. Marionne dialed his secretary's extension.

"Mr. Castello?" She peaked through the door.

"I need you to contact the best wedding organizer in the market, the best wedding dressmakers, and the best jewelry makers. I'm getting married." Marionne announced, then smirked.

"Wow! Congratulations, sir. Right away, sir."

Faye is already gone, but Marionne is still smiling. Those times that he was like a lost puppy are now over. It's time for them to feel what he felt when they broke him into pieces. This time, they will beg, serve him and worship him because he's got the money they need.

"Prepare to feel the worst regret, Gregory Rothschild."

---

On the other hand, D.A was about to visit Marionne in his office when she saw Faye, Marionne's secretary commanding everyone to go on their computers and search for the best on everything about wedding. Her eyes widened when she realized what is about to happen.

"You're getting married?" D.A immediately said as soon as she barged into Marionne's office.

"Yes, brother. I'm getting married." Marionne replied with a smirk.

"To whom?" Even though she already has a guess, she wanted to think that Marionne refers to someone else.

"To Sophia Rothschild." D.A felt like she's about to faint, so she breathed deeply with her hands on her waist.

"Are you out of your mind?" She finally blurted out. "Sophia? You don't like the girl."

"Do I have to like her?" Marionne said nonchalantly.

"Of course!" D.A said out of frustration. "You're marrying. You're supposed to at least like the girl."

"Well, she's pretty," Marionne said as if everything she said didn't matter.

"And she's Ava's sister." She knew exactly what Marionne wants. He wants revenge, and he's about to get it.

"You're right; she's Ava's little sister. Which makes it more exciting." Marionne walked away from his desk and to the minibar. "Gregory doesn't recognize me. Ava is obviously bothered that I'm about to be a part of her family." Marionne said while pouring himself a drink.

"You don't have to do this, bro," D.A said, still trying to her best friend to stop. "You're not that Marionne anymore. You made yourself into something way better. Please, bro. You don't have to do this."

"No, D.A. I have to do this. I need to make them feel how they humiliated me, how they broke me. They almost killed my father. I can't just let it go." Marionne responded, hatred dancing in his eyes.

D.A finally surrendered. She realized there's nothing she can do to change his mind. All she could do now is try to divert his attention away from revenge. Maybe Sophia could be the answer for Marionne to release himself from the past. She finally nodded and left.

------

Ava just got home from a long day at her office when she saw her sister walking towards the kitchen. She was so happy to hear, but she remembered their last conversation over the phone.

"Sophia, oh my God. You're okay." Ava hugged her little sister and immediately noticed her swollen eyes. "Did you cry? What happened?"

"I broke up with him. They threatened to kill him if I don't agree to marry Marionne." She started crying again.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Tell me, what can I do to help?" Ava won't let her sister be a victim of their father's insane gambling addiction.

"Help me. I don't want to marry him." Sophia begged Ava.

"I know, I know. Let me see what I can do, okay?" Ava tried to console her sister. "Let me find a way to stop all of this.

Ava accompanied her sister until they reached her room. As soon as she entered her room, Ava immediately took her phone and dialed one of her regular customers.

"Hello, Ms. Garcia? Hi! This is Ava Rothschild; you remember me, right?" Ms. Garcia's husband is the chief of police. "I have first-hand knowledge about a big-time crime ringleader. Maybe your husband is interested in a name Poncio Martinez?"

Fortunately, Mrs. Martinez was with her husband when she called. He instantly agreed to meet her the following day to discuss everything that she knows about Poncio. Ava thought that if Poncio was apprehended, maybe their father would let her sister out of the marriage deal with Marionne. She would do everything to help her sister.