Forcefully betrothed to him

"Dante Sanchez was a man of honor and grace and may his soul continue to rest in peace." The voice of Uncle Romero speaks loudly over my mother's loud sniffling.

"May his soul rest in peace." All the followers of my father gathered together say in chorus.

"How could he leave me at a time like this." My mother sobs and I almost roll my eyes at her, we all knew my father was nothing but a nightmare, the pretense was beginning to tire me out.

It doesn't take long before all the guests and families present for the last memory of my father disperses.

"It is time Seraphina." My mother whispers and I know what she meant but I feign ignorance.

"I don't want you to go." My cousin Tiana whispers beside me and it was beginning to feel like we were about to host another funeral.

"Seraphina, come here" Uncle Romero calls from the dinner table.

"It's almost time for you to leave." I have been hearing this all day. "But- you don't have to leave if you don't want to." Uncle Romero says and my eyes widen at his words.

"Are you being serious?" I ask him my excitement bubbling underneath.

"Yes, you do not have to get married if you do not want to." Uncle Romero says.

"But Dant-" my mother goes to interrupt my happiness.

"I know what my brother said, Diane, but he's no longer here is he? I will no longer sit and tolerate watching my niece being handed over to that brute." My uncle strongly says, I never knew he cared this much about me.

"Seraphina do you want to get married to him?" Uncle Romero asks and I'm quiet for a second, afraid this might be some sort of trap but I nod timidly anyway.

"No, Uncle." I tell him.

"Then it's decided. You will leave for England immediately, your mother and sister will join you soon, I'll take care of things down here for a while until everything cools off." Uncle Romero says and I watch him with tears in my eyes, my head turning towards my mother.

"Go on, go pack up." Uncle Romero says softly nudging my hand and I did not need to be told twice.

In less than thirty minutes, I already had my luggages packed up with a big smile on my face, the heavy cloud of being forcefully married to some strange horrible man has been lifted.

"Seraphina, are you sure about this?" My mother asks in fear from my doorway.

"Yes mother, I am. Do you not want to see me happy? Living a different life from what we have been forced to?" I ask her softly, moving to hold her hands.

"Yes dear, of course I do, but your uncle-" My mother says, swallowing hard.

"My uncle is only trying to help." I say interrupting her and she sighs.

"Take care of yourself and keep your phone with you at all times." My mother says in defeat with a small smile on her face.

"Thank you mama." I whisper and after saying my goodbyes to my cousin and uncle, I'm off to the airport with the family's guards.

Thirty minutes of unimaginable joy in my head, I look up front and I'm confused for a second.

"Jason?" I call out to one of the guards.

"Yes ma'am?.

"This is not the way to the airport." I tell him and he looks towards his partner before nodding at my question.

"I'm sorry ma'am, Boss asked us to pick something up from the club before leaving." Jason explains but something still feels off.

"This is not the way of the club either." I say, my eyes watching his.

"Yes ma'am, we are headed to the club of a mutual friend to your uncle." Jason says and I relax and go back to being cozy.