"Enough!" my father boomed, hand quivering as he pointed at me.

It was times like this that I was reminded of how weak and old he was, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

"Don Salvero is now family. I won’t tolerate any disrespect to his name."

It felt like a boulder was crushing me. Not in my widest imagination did I ever believe he could utter such words.

"Securing the Harbor quarter is only what’s important to you, isn’t it?" I voiced in a heartbroken tone. "It doesn’t matter how you do it, even if it means insulting Annabeth’s memory."

"Your sister made her choice, and that came with consequences. Speaking of her makes me feel disgusted. It’s time you grow up and face the truth."

Face the truth.

I have been told that for the last two years. Face the truth that my sister was a whore. How do they expect me to face such a thing when I knew my sister was never that kind of person?

"Truth?" I almost laughed. "So you chose to believe Anna—"

Slap!

My head turned the other way, and what followed next was a burn that shot across my face like fire. My throat thickened and my eyes stung.

"I warned you never to speak of her, yet you insist on dragging this further. Despite your sister’s misfortune. The Salveros have agreed to merge our families. Do you realize how beneficial that is to us?"

Correction: An opportunity to clear off his debts and secure the quarter. It was only beneficial to him.

I scoffed, dipping my gaze, and when I looked back at him, tears rolled down my face.

Father’s look softened, and he came close, cupping my face, but I didn’t feel an ounce of comfort, only suffocation.

"This is not as hard as it looks..." he said softly as he stroked my cheeks tenderly. "This is a chance to support your family. You should be proud of this opportunity. You shall become Mrs. Salvero."

Mrs. Salvero. That title made his eyes sparkle like I was about to vomit all the fortune he had ever desired.

The Salveros are never known for treating women with courtesy; they were merely objects or tools for pleasure. Zade Salvero was much worse than all the brothers combined. An egotistic man with three things in mind... Money, drugs, and control.

Father knew this, and yet he would give me away. Did he ever love me?

"You signed a contract..." I said, reminiscing about the day he picked up the pen without hesitation and signed my life away as if it were nothing. "An engagement would have sufficed, but a contract was drafted, bidding me as an object."

Father sighed, releasing me. "You shouldn’t have to worry about something like that."

I was baffled about how lightly he spoke of it.

"It was business. Something you can’t understand."

Growing up a mafia princess was no privilege; it was a downright misery because you can’t control your own fate. Sons were born leaders. Daughters were born investments.

In his own little head, I knew nothing about business. That was all this was... a deal for power, and he’d sell me over to that snake for it.

"This is what needs to be done. I’m securing your future."

You mean your future... as fleeting as it was.

He rested his hands on my shoulders and turned me toward the wedding dress hanging on the rack.

I’ve always had a taste for beauty—luxury, in particular, but all I felt was downright revulsion.

"Don Salvero has taken his time to make this day special for you. Your wedding dress was made by the finest designer from Paris."

I could recognize that design from anywhere. This was the work of Amélie D’Armont.

"There’s no more time to waste." He kissed the top of my head. "For once in your life, think about our family."

He left the room.

I glared one more time at the dress before shifting my eyes to the full-length mirror. I was still in my ballet outfit... light blue wrap dress, pale tights, and pointed shoes.

With a tug, I took off the blue ribbon holding my dark hair up, and it fell to my waist, straight and flawless.

I got distracted when the door opened, and a woman with her team came in.

"Mademoiselle... I’m Juliette Rousseau. Your stylist." She checked her watch. "And we’ve got just one hour. A fitting challenge I can accomplish in no time."

"Get lost..." I said, turning away from her.

Juliette maintained her professional smile, giggling. "Wedding jitters. It comes in all forms."

She snapped her fingers, and her girls got to work, setting their things up like they were about to summon an entire makeup studio.

"Now... I’d suggest you cooperate. Don Salvero specifically chose me to work my magic, and I intend to deliver."

I had a feeling they were gonna strap me to a chair and doll me up if they had to.

"Well...?" Juliette urged, almost like she could read my mind. "Which would it be, mademoiselle?"

~☆~

"Mon Dieu...! Look at you. Absolutely stunning!" Juliette praised. "No one would be able to take their eyes off you."

The wedding dress had long lace sleeves and an off-shoulder neckline. The top was fitted, while the skirt flowed out in a full shape with light sparkle all over. It was paired with a long sheer veil, with delicate lace details along the edges.

"Oh! C’est parfait!"

"Is my father outside?" I asked, ignoring her pointless praises.

"No, mademoiselle. Do you need me to get him? It’d be a heartwarming moment. Best get it on a camera."

"No..." I replied. "You can all leave."

"Just a little more touch-up and—" Her words died in her throat when she caught my deep scowl. "My work is done anyway. You’re perfect as it is. Don Salvero will be pleased."

I waited after they left for a while before walking to the door to check. It was just a lone corridor leading to the main hall.

Suddenly, I heard the wedding march echoing through the walls, jolting my nerves.

I walked back inside the room, ripping the veil pinned to my bun and tossing it to the floor, the silver piece snapping in two with a sharp clang.

I pulled out the drawer and took out the scissors I had snatched from the ever-so lovely Juliette.

A sinister grin spread on my face.

Zade disliked poor investments, didn’t he? I snapped the scissors shut.

I’m gonna show him just that.