Capture My Fiancé (A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance)

02

EMILIA

We sat around the dining table, surrounded by fine china and gleaming silverware.

"You're getting married in two weeks," Papà said abruptly.

The words hit me like a blow. My fork fell from my hand, clattering onto the plate as I tried to cut my dinner. I bit my lip, struggling to keep the tears at bay as my heart felt like it was breaking apart. 

"Emilia," Papà's voice was deep and stern, sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn't meet his gaze, fearing he'd see the tears welling up in my eyes, so I kept my focus on my plate.

"We've arranged everything for your wedding." Mamá Isabella sat beside him, her calm demeanor masking a steely resolve. Her grace and elegance seemed like a facade today, her polite smile appearing rehearsed for moments like this.

My hands shook as I tried to lift my fork again to cut my food. I struggled to keep my breathing steady, but it was hard. I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, doing my best to hold back my tears.

"You're going to marry Valentino Lorenzo Morelli," Papà said, his voice steady and unyielding. "He's the son of my good friend, Morelli. This marriage will strengthen both our businesses and secure our family's future."

I sat there, frozen and speechless.

The name, Valentino Lorenzo Morelli, felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me. I had heard of him before—everyone in our circles had. The Morelli family was known for their power and wealth, a name that carried a lot of prestige. But the thought of marrying him twisted my stomach into knots.

Mamá spoke up, noticing my silence. "This is a great opportunity for you, Hija. He's not only good for you but for our business too. You know that." Her voice was steady, trying to convince me as if that would make the situation any better.

The term "business" felt like a heavy chain around my ankles, as if I was bound to carry on their legacy. For years, I had worked tirelessly to prove my worth, building my own business from scratch to show that I could make a living on my own.

But despite my efforts and achievements, they saw me as just a child trying to climb the social ladder. They couldn't see past their ambitions to recognize the value I had added to our family's legacy.

I took a deep breath, trying to hide the pain inside me. "And what about my own plans?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. "What about my business?"

Papà's gaze was cold and dismissive. "Your business is a nice hobby, Emilia, but it doesn't compare to what you'll gain with the Morelli family. You'll have to marry someday. Why not marry someone I've chosen for you?"

Is he serious right now? I scoffed at his words, and a tear finally fell.

The truth was, they saw my business as nothing more than a distraction from their plans. Either they were oblivious to my capabilities or they still couldn't believe I had built something on my own.

One tear became two, and soon I couldn't hold them back. "What if I don't want this?" I asked, looking Papà straight in the eyes. My voice trembled despite my effort to stay firm.

Papà's expression remained unchanged. "This isn't a request, Emilia. You will meet Valentino soon, and everything will proceed as planned."

Frustration rose in my throat, bitter and sour. It made me feel like I might vomit. "What about my own happiness, Papà? What about what I truly want?"

His eyes softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Have I ever made a decision that would harm you, Emilia? Don't you trust that what I'm doing is for the best?"