Giorgia ~
I lay awake in bed, staring into the dark. I had been crying for the past forty minutes, but the weight in my chest wouldn't lift. I thought crying would ease the pain, but it didn't. Nothing could help me now. Not even I could help myself, and the one man I expected something from-anything-simply turned his back on me. I was furious. So, so furious with Antonio. He didn't say a single word in my defense. Father never cared about us-never gave a damn about us... but Antonio? I felt betrayed, not just because I was being forced to marry that monster, but because the very people who were supposed to protect me, to keep me safe, were the ones handing me over to him as if I were nothing more than an object.
I hadn't even seen Javier; I didn't know what he looked like. The news I'd come across never showed any pictures of him. Of course, that was easy for them. 'Power plays,' that's what Father always called it, and now I understood exactly what he meant. Javier probably knew every little detail about me. In fact, this marriage-this entire situation-probably meant nothing to him. To him, it was just another business deal, another game. But this time, my life was the one on the line.
I heard my bedroom door creak open, then close softly behind it. "Martina?" I called out into the dark. It was almost midnight-no one entered my room at this hour, especially without knocking, except for her.
"You definitely aren't sleeping, are you?" she teased in her usual mocking tone, slipping into bed beside me. Without hesitation, I pulled her close, my chest pressing against her back as my arms wrapped around her waist.
"Mother told me everything," Martina said, her voice tinged with anger. "The worst part is that she already knew about it but still didn't bother to tell you beforehand."
I didn't blame our mother. I could easily guess why she kept silent-fear of our father. That wasn't new.
"How could they do that? You're only eighteen. How are you supposed to survive a marriage at this age?" The fury radiated from Martina, her body tense with frustration.
"What was Antonio's reaction?" she asked, and I felt a wave of pain rush through me as I remembered that moment in the study. The silence, the lack of concern from my brother.
Hurt tightened in my chest, and I answered her in a single word: "Nothing."
"Nothing? Are you serious?" Martina's voice was tight with disbelief. "That asshole didn't say a word? Or try to defend you?" Her anger was palpable, and in that moment, I couldn't help but be grateful for her.
This was why I loved my sister the most-because she was the only one who truly cared. Martina was a year younger than me, but we were worlds apart. She was bold, extroverted, impulsive-and, of course, the prettier one. Even at such a young age, she was known for her mesmerizing beauty. She had always been the one to shine in the limelight, effortlessly drawing attention wherever she went.
On the other hand, I was the shy one, the introvert, the quiet one. I preferred to live in the shadows, away from the spotlight. I couldn't help but wonder how Father hadn't chosen Martina instead of me-she was undeniably more beautiful. Maybe he was saving her for a better deal, since it was clear he didn't care about either of us.
Still, I was relieved that it was me and not her. There was no one here to protect us, and I knew I couldn't protect Martina forever, but I'd try my best to give her a better life.
"No, he did nothing," I replied, my voice faltering. A rush of emotions surged through me, making it hard to keep my composure.
"Just run away, Gia. Leave-go as far as you can. These people aren't human, they're monsters who only care about power, money, themselves. Our lives mean nothing to them. They're emotionless, insensitive," she said slowly, her voice rough with a mix of anger and emotion.
I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms tighter around her. "We both know that's not possible, Tina," I whispered. "I'm not just the responsibility of the Famiglia anymore, but the Cartels too. They won't let something like this stain their pride if I ran away. It would start a war, and I can't do that to you, or anyone else."
How far could I even run? They'd find me eventually-sooner or later. There was no escape. I was trapped, truly stuck here, with no way out.
Then Martina finally asked the question I'd been trying to avoid all night, the one I didn't want to think about, but I knew I couldn't escape it for long. "But what about your boyfriend, Daniel?"
I didn't answer right away, unsure of what to say. After a long pause, I decided to be honest. "I don't know." I didn't want to think about it now. All I wanted was to sleep, to escape the weight of crying and overthinking. I'd deal with all of this tomorrow.
Martina didn't press me further, sensing my fragile state.
For once, I just wanted to sleep... and never wake up.