5.

Olivia’s heart sank in her stomach as the realization set in—her account was frozen, and she had no way of accessing her funds. She stared blankly at her phone, her vision blurring with panic.

How was that possible? She used it just an hour ago. 

“Is there a problem, young miss?” His gravelly voice cut through the suffocating silence. He tapped his gold-ringed fingers on the edge of a rusted table, his impatience growing.

“I… I just need a little more time,” Olivia stammered, lowering the phone with trembling hands. “Please, just give me a little more time.”

The man’s face twisted into a sneer as he rose from his chair, towering over her. “Time?” he spat. “Do you think this is a charity? You have two days. That’s all you get. Two days to bring me the money.”

Olivia’s knees buckled, and she instinctively backed away, clutching her phone like a lifeline. “Two days?” she whispered, her face coldened.

“If you fail,” the man continued, his tone dripping with menace, “your brother will still serve a purpose. Maybe as a sex harlot for the Mafia Queens, or perhaps something even worse. Boys like him are… versatile.”

“No!” Olivia screamed, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. “You can’t do that to him! He’s just a kid!”

The man’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Then I suggest you find the money, little miss. Or don’t—either way, I’ll get my compensation.”

He motioned to his men, who grabbed Olivia by the arms and hauled her to her feet. “Now, get out. You’re wasting my time.”

“I’ll get the money!” Olivia shouted, struggling against their grip. “Just don’t hurt him! Please!”

The men didn’t respond. They dragged her to the exit and tossed her out into the cold night. Olivia stumbled and fell onto the gravel, scraping her hands on the rough surface. She looked back at the decrepit building, her brother’s terrified face flashing in her mind.

Two days.

She had two days

Where the hell was she supposed to get such money from?

******

Back in her van, Olivia started the engine with shaky hands. She exhaled sharply, dialing Clara’s number. It rang endlessly before a familiar voice answered.

“If you are worried about Sofia, she is in good hands. I am taking her around Peter's mansion and later this afternoon as I am going to try on dresses for the wedding tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Olivia’s voice cracked. “I thought the wedding was two months away!”

“The wedding was pushed forward to tomorrow. I thought it was early but what can I say, Peter wants to really have me as his. Why did you call again?”

“I need a sum of twenty million in two days. Can you lend me that exact amount? I will pay you back. I promise.”

“Come help me pick out dresses, I will talk to Peter to see if he could lend me that money.”

_______________

In the boutique’s showroom, Olivia collapsed onto a plush chair, watching Sofia play nearby. Her daughter was immersed in her own world, battling a doll with a plastic dragon.

Sofia easily smelt fear which was why Olivia had to wash up to cleanse any sign of fear. The last thing she'd want is a startled crying daughter at the moment. 

Olivia watched Sofia play, her small hands moving the dragon and doll in some imaginary battle. 

“Mommy, look!” Sofia’s sweet voice snapped Olivia back to the present. The little girl held up the dragon triumphantly. “The dragon won! She’s the strongest!”

“Of course she is,” Olivia said, forcing a smile.

“Like you, Mommy?” Sofia asked, her wide, innocent eyes staring up at her.

Olivia swallowed hard, brushing a strand of hair from Sofia’s face. “Yes, baby. Just like me.”

Before Sofia could say more, Clara’s sharp voice echoed from across the room. “Olivia, come here. I need your opinion on this one.”

Olivia rose to her feet, adjusting the hem of her blouse. “Stay here, okay, Sofia? Don’t move from this spot,” she said softly, kissing her daughter’s forehead before heading toward Clara.

Clara stood in front of a tall mirror, wearing a V-neck lace gown. She turned slightly, inspecting herself from different angles. “What do you think? Too much? Not enough?”

“It’s beautiful,” Olivia murmured, distracted.

Clara raised an eyebrow, sensing her distraction. “You’re not even looking.” She turned fully to face Olivia, her hands on her hips. “What’s going on, Liv? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m worried. I am worried a lot.”

“About the twenty million dollars? I can give it to you after I talk with Peter.”

“Can it be right now? The money is for Nate. He was involved in a Mafia gambling Casino and they are not going to spare him if I don't complete the money in two days. He’s in trouble, Clara. Real trouble.”

Clara sighed, pulling her hair over one shoulder. “I told you I’d talk to Peter. He’ll help if I ask. He’s a generous man when it comes to family.”

Olivia frowned. “Generous? He’s marrying you, not me. What if he says no? What if—”

“Stop overthinking,” Clara interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “Peter likes to show off his wealth. Twenty million is nothing to him. Just play nice, smile, and be polite. He’ll come through.”

“Fine,” she said finally. “Just make sure he knows it’s urgent.”

Clara smirked. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll handle it. Now, sit down and relax. You’re making me nervous just standing there.” Clara went behind Olivia after the dress was removed from her body and rested on her shoulders. “Do you remember when we were in Paris like this?”

“Hm,” Olivia didn't talk but she knew what Clara was talking about. Clara would give anything to have her sister alive and same went for Olivia, she missed her mom deeply. “She is happy wherever she is and so should you. I haven't met this Peter of a guy but I bet he is a big hunch. You talk about him a lot.”

“Then you too have to get married. Give Sofia someone she can call a dad. She literally murmurs "Daddy " to any stranger that walks by.” Clara chuckled at the teasing joke but Olivia didn't see it that way. Her lips curled up, her thoughts tangling together. 

“Sofia doesn't need a father. She has me and I will do whatever it takes to give her the best life I can.”

*************

It was a tough night getting herself through sleeping without Nate being okay. But here she was standing at the aisle, Clara's hands wrapped around her with a big smile. They walked down the aisle, a smile plastered on her face as they walked down the aisle together. 

Clara radiated confidence, her ivory gown shimmering under the soft glow of the chandeliers. She looked every bit the part of a blushing bride, but Olivia’s mind was far away from the grand spectacle unfolding before her.

She was lost, empty and terrified. 

The wedding guests rose from their seats, their attention fixed on Clara, who basked in the admiration. Olivia, on the other hand, suffocated from their constant googling gaze on her. “Smile,” Clara whispered through clenched teeth, her face still frozen in an elegant grin. “You’re making me look bad.”

Olivia forced the corners of her lips to lift, though it felt more like a grimace than a smile. She glanced at Peter, standing at the altar, his tailored suit fitting him like a glove.

The ceremony began, and Olivia stood off to the side, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She barely registered the vows, the laughter, or the applause as Peter and Clara exchanged rings. Her thoughts churned endlessly—she had less than forty-eight hours to find the money.

As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, the room erupted into cheers. Peter pulled Clara into a kiss. Everything reminded her of her wedding with Vincenzo.

Her marriage to the devil. 

After the ceremony, the reception began in full swing. The clinking of glasses, and the laughter of guests created a backdrop that only added to Olivia’s growing dread. She found herself standing near the edge of the grand ballroom, clutching a glass of champagne she had no intention of drinking.

“Olivia,” Clara’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see her Aunt approaching with Peter in tow. “This is Peter and Peter, this is my niece, Olivia.”

“A pleasure meeting you. Clara talks a lot about you. She also said you are in need of some funds. Send me the account number I’d be sending the funds for. We are family after all.”

His wide grin was just as familiar as one who sent chills down her spine.

“Can I get cash? My accounts are frozen.”

Peter didn't mind a bit and only said she should meet him later on for the cash and just like that, everything dissolved. Olivia went to the balcony, her wine glass in her hand. She didn't know how long she had been sweating under her situation. She sighed, and drank it up.

“Sofia must be having a good time as the little bride. So cute.” She tilted her head to the other side, glancing at Sofia twirling in her wedding gown. 

Beep.

Her phone vibrated in her hand, the screen flashing an unknown number with no identifiable ID. Olivia’s heart skipped a beat, a chill crawling up her spine. She glanced around the noisy reception hall before slipping out to a quieter hallway two flights of stairs away.

Pressing the phone to her ear, she answered cautiously, “Hello?”

“Did you miss me, my Kitten?”

Her breath hitched. “Who is this?”

A low chuckle echoed through the speaker, sending a shiver down her spine. “Oh, Kitten, I’m disappointed. You don’t recognize my voice?”

“I don’t know who you think you are,” Olivia said, “But I’m not playing games with you.”

The laughter on the other end grew darker. “Oh, but this is a game, mia cara. Keep running, and maybe, just maybe, I won’t catch you. Unless, of course…” He paused, the silence heavy with menace. “It’s game over.”

Olivia’s grip tightened on the phone. “Who are you? You can’t be who you claim to be.”

The line went quiet for a moment, and then a deafening sound shattered the silen

ce—a gunshot, loud and unmistakable. Olivia flinched, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

“Game over, little Kitten, I’ve found you.”