His Promised Chaste Bride

es

go back if you're getting cold feet abou

ng right now. We agreed on this

ack if you don't want to be here

stares at the building, Then she looks back at

e been waiting for a night like

egular girl at a club, ready to drown my sorrows in loud music

y dad is going to be furious

I car

es. Not when I can't bring myself to fee

just want

ith an unreadable expression he p

heels clicking against the floor. But as I get closer, a

ossini the head of one of the most po

don't see the chains. They don't und

ve without being watch by

laugh, when I breathe. It feels so

light and the thick haze

poles, as their bodies move to

tching, drinking, whispering with the scent

drowns the voice in my head scr

nds. He places a bottle of alcohol and two glasses

pouring the golden liquid into our glasses. He

hat if someone recognizes you?

pick up my glass, I slowly twirl the liquid before

t me locked away my whole life,

o jump out any minute and drag us home. "I think he's jus

"You mean to make me invisible? Keep me locked away li

st stares at me with somet

ever does. Look

lump rising in my throat. Tonight, I don't want pit

ust want to

y chest as if it's being

him. But no. He chose someone else. He couldn't choose me. And to make it wor

lt anything

knife twisting my heart. My throat tightens, and I barely hear

my father dropped a bombshell on me last night. He didn'

, I am gett

hy. "Alessia, your father has your best

our relationship with Marco. In your world,

my palms. She's right. I know that. Bu

to drown the ache clawing at my chest. But bef

her a

es it, while she watches as

liquid scorching my throat. But I di

s. To him, this marriage is nothing more than a str

ally when rival gangs come for us. As long a

n on the table. Livia didn't say a word. She jus

ty

ry word I'm s

lass, until the ache in my chest is dulls. For the first time to

and in my own life. I don't have the freedom to choose anything. Not my futu

t me has alread

and out of focus. The heavy beat of the music

ery light brighter. Everything around me moves in slow mo

thing pulls me

sitting alone in the corner of the club. His back is to me, hi

on him because, at that

t from acros

breath hitch. My skin prickles, my nerves light up, and I

in, and before I can stop mys

d to take its toll. I

legs. The floor tilts, and for a second, I stag

second thought, I ma