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As soon as we reached the venue, he left the car. I thought that he would leave me alone in the car, but he came around and opened my door and yanked me out of it. He was treating me worse than animals.

But what can you expect from a monster like him?!

He put his hand around my waist and started dragging me inside. The paparazzi outside tried to stop him, but he paid them no heed. I was feeling afraid and lost. I had no idea about them. He discreetly squeezed my waist and whispered in my ears, "Don't make the face of a lost puppy. Just put on a smile on your face. And don't you dare misbehave inside or try to do anything to jeopardize my reputation, otherwise, you won't like the consequences."

I gulped at the clear threat in his voice and tried to put on a fake smile.

As we entered the venue, most of the attention was instantly drawn towards us like two magnets with opposite poles. People were assessing us so keenly like we were some alien and they had to write a thesis on us.

I started feeling conscious and unintentionally moved closer to Ermanno to seek comfort.

What a day had come in my life! Seeking comfort from the one who was the biggest threat for me at the moment!

I had surely lost my sanity after arriving there.

He remained unfazed by the amount of attention he was getting. I guess he was used to all of it. He walked inside like he owned the place, without giving a care for the judging stares of the audience.

His eyes roamed around, until they settled on someone. I followed his line of vision to find Alessandro standing there, talking to a couple around the age of mid 40's.

He discreetly hauled me to him. It was getting difficult considering, I was wearing heels, but let him do what he wanted. The last thing I wanted was being humiliated by him in a room full of audience, which was clearly trying to find a reason to gossip.

A wide smile made on both their faces upon reaching there, and they hugged each other in greetings. Then, Alessandro turned to me and spoke, "Good evening, young lady. I am glad you decided to attend the party."

As if he wouldn't hold a grudge for not attending it!

I replied to him, "Good evening to you too, Alessandro."

He then turned towards the couple standing there and introduced me to them. They were his some close acquaintance, to whom I absently nodded in greeting. I was least interested in making introduction with his guests. So, I completely zoned out of their conversation.

Ermanno on the other hand, was being his brooding self, not even sparing me a single glance. He completely ignored my presense, but I didn't let it faze me a bit. I just wanted to get over with that sham and seek the comfort of my bed. I was already tired with the drama at his mansion.

I looked around the hall when my eyes caught the side of Adele who was sitting idly on a chair, in the far corner. She seemed to be looking bored. I contemplated if I should ask his permission to go to her, because he had told me not to leave his side at all. He told me that it was dangerous for me, but now I was more worried about defying his demand. I didn't want to be the reason of his wrath again.

Contemplating to give it a shot, I turned to him to ask for his permission, but before I could open my mouth to speak, Alessandro beat me to it, saying, "It is the time for the announcement."

And it was enough to freeze me on the spot. I was looking at his face in horror, when Ermanno again squeezed my waist and whispered coldly in my ear, "Smile."

I tried to put on my best fake smile but clearly failed at it. But I couldn't get rid of the fact that they were going to announce my lifetime imprisonment with a monster. What if I was not able to find a way to escape?

I had seen a glimpse of his rage already that night and trying to escape that betrothal was a sort of betrayal. I was really trapped and felt suffocated.

I couldn't live all my life like his puppet. I would suffocate to death.

I couldn't be tied to a loveless marriage where my husband would treat me as a trophy wife. I couldn't just follow around like a lapdog. I was a human and I had feelings too. I couldn't let my dreams of a happy marriage with a loving and caring husband be broken like that.

It was the question of my entire life!

His true nature was only pushing me harder to find a way to escape all that. But the main question was how? Was there really a way out of all that? Or it would cost the life of me and my family for trying to escape the clutches of that monster.

Why it had to happen with me?

What did I do wrong to deserve all of it?

Ermanno dragged me in the centre. Alessandro took the command and spoke in a booming and authoritative voice, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You all know that we have gathered here for a special announcement I am going to make tonight."

He continued, "It was not a secret in the underworld that my nipote was already betrothed at a very young age, and his betrothed remained a mystery to everyone. No one knew about her identity, but the curiosity was always there among everyone, that who would be chosen as the queen of the underworld. And the time has arrived to reveal her identity."

He turned towards me and spoke, "Meet Rosalia Romanno, my beloved nipote Ermanno D'Amelio's soon-to-be wife.

A loud sound of applause echoed throughout the hall. After it subsided, he again continued, "And for anyone who is curious to know about her family background, she is the granddaughter of Leonardo Romanno; a name well-remembered in the Mafia world."

With that he concluded, "I heartily congratulate the new couple, wishing them all the happiness and prosperity."

As soon as his announcement came to an end, people swarmed to congratulate us. I tried to act like I was happy with the arrangement. So many people came and introduced themselves that my mind was spinning with all the information. And on top of that, my feet were aching so very badly.

I just wanted the night to be over!!

In all the crowd of unknown people, finally a familiar person arrived. Adele came to us along with an unknown man, who had some of his features similar to her. She had mentioned about having a brother, I guess it was him.

They arrived to us and Adele immediately enveloped me into a warm hug while both the men did a bro hug. She then, parted from me and spoke looking at both of us, "Congratulations!"

I gave her a fake smile in reply and then the man introduced himself to me, "I am Ricci, Ermanno's best friend and Adele's brother."

I replied him back, "Glad to meet you. Adele told me about you."

Sighing, he wiped an imaginary sweat from his brows and spoke, "Ah! Atleast someone took the pain of mentioning me to you, because I know that this man in front of us would not have even told you that he had a best friend."

He was so accurate. I laughed at his words while Ermanno glared daggers towards him. Did he ever do anything beside threatening people?

My laughter died down in my throat at what Ricci said next, "I am honoured to finally meet the lady who has made the heart of this heartless man beat."

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Hello my lovely readers!

How was the chapter?

Ermanno is still behaving his cold self... What do you think how long will it go?

Rosalia is clearly not happy. I guess she really did a mistake by saying yes to the party... Right?