"You're hereby sentenced to death," Marco roared without pity. "Before that, strip this lying whore bare immediately. She is no longer the heiress of the DeLuca Mafia and my fiancée."
********
The night sky was dark with a few stars shining, and the elegant hall of the DeLuca estate was filled with people waiting for their new leader. Inside, chandeliers lit the room with a warm glow. Tonight, Sophia DeLuca, the only daughter of the late Dante DeLuca, would become the new boss of the DeLuca Mafia. Her father had been killed by a rival group a few months ago.
Sophia had been devastated and had tried everything to find his murderers, but she was only met with dead ends. Nevertheless, she promised to keep trying until she finally found Dante's killers and served them their punishment.
Sophia stood in front of a mirror in her room, feeling nervous as she adjusted her black gown. Her dress fit perfectly, making her look both elegant and powerful. Her brown hair was styled in an updo with a simple diamond tiara.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned from the mirror as the door to her private chambers opened, revealing her cousin, Ariana, who entered with a bright smile.
"You're looking so beautiful, Sophia," Ariana exclaimed.
Ariana, 27, two years older than Sophia and the daughter of her father's older brother, had always been like a sister to her. They had grown up together, sharing secrets and dreams.
"You're looking very elegant too, Ariana," Sophia replied, returning the smile before glancing back at her reflection in the mirror.
Ariana's dress was a deep emerald green, perfectly complementing her blond hair and olive skin. She looked every bit the part of an heiress, though not the one who would wear the crown tonight.
"The whole guest is waiting for you," Ariana said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
In Ariana's mind, she wished she was in her cousin's position, inheriting the wealth and power that came with leading the DeLuca family. She knew that soon, she would make that wish a reality
"Can you please help me with my zipper?" Sophia asked, craning her neck and trying to peek at the back of her gown.
Ariana forced a smile and stepped closer to help, adjusting the zipper properly. "Now let's go. Marco is waiting for you."
"Thank you so much, Ari. I really appreciate your presence on this big day," Sophia smiled, hugging her cousin briefly.
"You're welcome, Sophia. Tonight is going to be so fun!"
They walked hand in hand as they entered the hall, the sudden sight of Sophia and Ariana together drew gasps from the assembled guests. The chandeliers overhead cast a golden glow, illuminating the fine details of their gowns.
"It's Sophia, she's so beautiful," someone in the crowd announced loudly, drawing a quiet scowl from Ariana, though she quickly masked it with a forced smile.
"Over there," Ariana pointed towards the stage. "Mr. Salvatore is waiting for you."
Sophia's eyes scanned the hall, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "But where is Marco?" she wondered aloud, searching for her fiancé.
"He'll be with you shortly, just go, alright?" Ariana urged with a reassuring smile, though the slight edge in her voice was missed by Sophia.
Sophia nodded, tipping her chin up as she walked with pride towards the stage. She moved with the grace and confidence instilled in her by her father. The guests made way for her, whispering in awe.
As she ascended the steps to the stage, the hall fell silent. Mr. Salvatore smiled, and met her with a nod of approval.
Mr. Salvatore was one of her father's most trusted men and had known her since she was a kid. He extended his hand, helping her onto the platform. Sophia turned to face the crowd with so much confidence.
"Tonight," Mr. Salvatore's deep voice resonated through the hall, "we gather to honor the memory of Dante DeLuca and to welcome his daughter, Sophia, as the new leader of the DeLuca family."
Applause erupted, filling the hall with a thunderous sound. Sophia glanced at Ariana, who stood at the edge of the stage, her smile still in place. Unseen by Sophia, a glint of calculation shone in Ariana's eyes as she watched her cousin take the spotlight.
Mr. Salvatore continued, "Sophia, your father was a great man, and his legacy lives on through you. Do you vow to uphold the honor and protect the family with all your strength?"
Sophia took a deep breath and nodded. "I do." She glanced at the ceremonial dagger on Mr. Salvatore's hand, the same one her father had used. She was about to accept the ceremonial dagger when a loud growl boomed through the hall.
"Stop it this instant!"
Everyone turned toward the noise. There stood Marco, his eyes darkened and fixed on his fiancée. Sophia was confused. Why did he look at her with so much hate?
Marco began to walk toward the stage, with everyone clearing a path for him.
"Seize this woman!" he fumed, pointing an angry finger at Sophia.
"What's going on, Marco? What are you doing?" Sophia asked, bewildered.
Marco held up a document. "Here with me is the proof that this wench lied about her birth. She found out years ago and hid the fact that she's not the daughter of Don Dante DeLuca!"
"What are you saying, Marco? How can you say such a thing?" Sophia stared at him, her heart breaking. Marco, her fiancé and the best fighter in their Mafia, had caught her eye and made her fall so hard a year ago. She had convinced her father to approve their relationship, and they had gotten engaged before Dante was murdered months ago.
Mr. Salvatore grabbed the document and glanced through it, before casting a glare at her. "How could you!"
"Mr. Salvatore, it's not true. Please believe me," Sophia pleaded.
"Not only that," Marco continued, "she cheated on me with another man." He threw some pictures at her.
Sophia bent down and picked them up with trembling hands. Her eyes widened in horror. There she was, naked in bed with a stranger.
"How... just how," she shook her head, unable to defend herself. She was confused. How did she get in bed with this stranger? She had no recollection of this, but clearly, she was the one in the picture.
"Abomination!" someone screamed in the crowd.
"Punish her!" another yelled.
"No, no, it's not true," Sophia cried. "This is a setup."
"You're hereby sentenced to death," Marco roared without pity "Before that, strip this lying whore bare immediately. She is no longer the heiress of the DeLuca Mafia and my fiancée."
Sophia cried as her dress was torn violently, leaving her naked. She burst into tears, using her hands to cover her private area. Just like that, her dignity has been stripped away.
"How could you do this to me? How could you?" she screamed at Marco. She couldn't believe the man she was madly in love with had betrayed her.
"Shut your fucking mouth up you bitch. Guards, kill her right now!" Marco ordered, but Ariana stepped forward.
Sophia breathed in relief. Yes, Ariana would save her. She'd tell the truth.
"Death is too easy for her. A harsher punishment should be dealt to her," Ariana declared heartlessly.
Sophia's heart broke even more. Ariana had also betrayed her. How cruel. Her cousin, whom she had considered a sister, had also betrayed her.
''You're both going to pay for this!'' she yelled, every word breaking her heart all the more.
"Take her to the dungeon," Ariana ordered, ignoring her cries as she stepped onto the stage.
The guards rushed towards Sophia and dragged her up as she began kicking her feet.
"Let me go!" She wailed, cried, and begged, but no one believed her. Not a single person in the hall believed her.
Through her tears, Sophia managed to steal a glance at the stage. Her heart sank as she saw Mr. Salvatore handing the ceremonial dagger to Ariana, with Marco smiling brightly beside her. The realization hit her like a tidal wave: her cousin had collaborated with her fiancé to betray her for the crown.
The weight of the betrayal was too much for her heart to bear. She felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest, and her vision blurred. It was as if the very essence of life was slipping away from her.
"No... please..." she whispered as she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness. The grief, the pain, the betrayal—it was all too much. And with that, Sophia succumbed to the darkness.