Chapter 1 Announcement

Ophelia’s Point Of View

“You are getting married!”

Those words from my dad made me drop the fork on the table and snap my gaze to him.

Marco choked on his coffee and started coughing. My mom froze on her chair, her eyes widened, and only Grandma remained nonchalant about the whole thing. The air was tense in the mansion as the silence lingered a little bit more until I spoke up.

“Who's getting married?” I swallowed the pancake in my mouth. My heart was racing against my chest–I knew my fate was assigned on someone's hands.

My dad slowly took a sip of his coffee like he didn't just drop a bomb on me. He placed the cup back on the table before he stared at me, gaze sharp and emotionless. “Who else if not you?” He asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest. I have better things to do.” I retorted. He can't force me to get married.

“I wasn't asking you...” He slammed his hands against the table, leaving the plate and cups trembling for a few seconds. “I'm informing you, Ophelia Moretti.”

I expected my mom to speak up, but instead, she grabbed a glass of water and gulped it, her hands trembling. Grandma was quietly cutting a small piece of pancake from her plate.

Marco was the one who spoke up. “She said she doesn't want to get married. Why are you forcing her? Can't she make her own decisions?”

“Don't interfere between us...”

“I will interfere.. She's my fucking—”

My dad lifted his hand dismissively. “Enough.” He clenched his jaw. “Ophelia is getting married to Daniel Russo tomorrow morning.”

“Hell no!”My voice was shaky as I pushed the chair behind me and sprang to my feet. “I'd rather die than marry that man!” How could he fix my marriage with that man?

“Have you lost your mind, Dad?”Marco rose to his feet too. “How bullish is this?”

“I am not done talking...” My father's voice was way too calm. His fingers tapped against the wood table, creating a repeated rhythm. “Sit down.”

My breath was heavy, rage rushing through my blood, but I knew better than to go against him. I swallowed my pride and sat back on my chair, but Marco didn't.

A smirk tugged the corner of my father's lips as his gaze locked with mine. “You have to kill him after the marriage ceremony on the altar.”

“You couldn't kill Daniel after six assassination attempts,” Marco scoffed. ” Now you expect Ophelia to do it?”

“She has no choice.” My father shot back.

“Aren't you being selfish?” I balled my hand into a fist. “Why must I become a sacrificial lamb?”

“Levi is fucking dead...” Marco supported my statement. “I am not going to lose my older sister because of your fucking revenge!”

“Can we all calm down? I'm sure we–” My mom's voice trembled as she tried to speak, but Dad cut her off.

“Enough.. My decision is final.”

“You can't make decisions for me, Dad. I'm a grown-ass woman.” I clenched my jaw.

Marco rested his hands on the table, his sharp gaze locking with my dad. “Ophelia said she doesn't want to get married. Her decision is the final one.”

“Do you suggest we let them get away?” My dad asked coldly.

“Don't put words in my mouth.” Marco didn't flinch. “All I'm saying is you must find another way to deal with this!”

My dad let out a chuckle. “What do you suggest we do, Marco? What's your brilliant plan?”

Silence filled the room as my dad and Marco locked fierce gazes. Marco grabbed a glass from the table and threw it on the floor with a loud shattering sound, coffee and juice spilling on the ground.

My mom gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands. My grandma's eyes were wide.

“If anything happened to my sister.” Marco’s voice dropped into a whisper. “You have me to face. I will destroy you.” With that, he pushed the chair behind him on the floor and stormed out of the house.

I pushed the chair behind me, rising to my feet again. I didn't even bother with the chair that landed on the floor as I prepared myself to head upstairs. I stopped at my dad's words.

“I see you've made your decision...” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Now listen to my decision.. “You will step down as the CEO of the MFL. All your cards will be frozen, and you will leave my house.”

“My dear.. Aren't you–” My mom tried to speak, but my dad lifted his hand dismissively at her. “Giulia is going to do this mission!”

I stilled on the ground as his words rang in my ears. He had to be joking. “Are—are you being serious?” I stammered, my throat suddenly dry.

“Does it look like I'm joking?”

I let out a laugh. “Of course you don't...” My voice was filled with bitterness. “I see what you are doing, but guess what. You won't get what you want...”

“Are you getting married or not?” He ignored what I had just said.

“I am not...” I didn't give him another chance to utter a word as I stormed out of the house.

“Ophelia..” I could hear the sound of my mom shouting my name, followed by the sound of her footsteps, but I didn't stop.

As I reached outside, I flung the door to my car and got in before I started the engine and drove to the gate.

The sky was gloomy, with showers of rain, but I didn't care as I drove through the highway until I didn't want to drive anymore. I parked my car on the side of the road and stepped out of the car.

I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to blink the tears that threatened to burst out of my eyes. I allowed the showers of the rain to drench me slowly.

The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of my daze. I took my phone out of my pocket and answered a call from my assistant, Leo.

“Is this better?” I muttered.

“A new CEO has been appointed.” He announced.

I couldn't stop my tears anymore. I couldn't believe he did that in less than a day.

“And well… Your cards are frozen!”

I hung up the call and threw it across the road and screamed my lungs out.

I had no choice. Tomorrow it's either I become Daniel Russo's bride or widow!