1 Prologue

The room was at its peak as heavy silence enveloped the surroundings, putting everyone in the room into a state of anticipation. My palms were consciously resting on my thigh as I tried as much as I could to stay calm. I knew nothing pleasant would come out of the unlikely meeting from the very first step I took inside the office. From the start, he knew his plans. He knew what he'd gain when the agreement came to action. I didn't realize I was clutching my dress until I felt my father's warm hand on mine.

I managed to force out a smile that didn't reach my eyes. I wouldn't be in this situation if he hadn't gotten involved with the wrong people. I wouldn't have come face to face with my biggest enemy. I wouldn't have let my guard down and have someone whom I hate with so much guts in me decide my life. And most of all, I wouldn't have reached the stage of selling my pride and dignity into the hands of another.

"Miss Camila Castellano, I'm going to ask you again. Do you accept Antonio Di Salvatore as your husband?" The voice of the lawyer reverberated in my eardrums.

For a moment, I felt like everything was a dream, finding myself at a fenceless wall with no escape. Every woman's dream is to marry someone who will love, respect, and protect her dignity. However, I have no right to have that dream. I know the moment I scribble down my signature on the white paper, I'll sell away my freedom. As funny as it may sound, there's no way to back out. We've already gone far, and not when multiple eyes were on me.

I was the only hope, the only option my father has to save his company. My father squeezed my hand under the table as a means of assurance. My eyes averted from the lawyer to Antonio, whose lips were curved up into a smile. He's clearly enjoying whatever is going on. He knew I have no way out. By his side was his father, Caesar Di Salvatore, who is no different from his son. They have one ideal thing in common: danger. Yet, I'm getting into that danger to save my family.

"Camila," my father hushed beside me, bringing me out of the reverie I had ventured into.

I inhaled a sharp breath; my eyes were fixated on his dark ones. "Yes. I, Camila Castellano Valerio, accept Antonio Di Salvatore as my husband," I chanted like a poem. The broad smile on his face widened. He got what he wanted.

"Do you, Antonio Di Salvatore, accept Camila Castellano as your wife?" The question was then directed at him. He leaned over, intertwining his hands together, and I could see how his dark eyes were piercing through my skull.

"Yes, I do. Till death do us part." As the words slipped out of his lips, it sent a chill of danger down my spine. Somehow, his words held another meaning.

"Both of you should sign this, and you'll be legally husband and wife," the pen was passed over by my brother, who had been conspicuously quiet all the while. He hated the idea, yet he had no other way out. We were all powerless.

I weakly scribbled out my signature. There was no more delaying; it had already happened. The document was then passed on to him, and he scribbled his signature too.

"Congratulations. You're now husband and wife," the lawyer pronounced. I could hear the sigh of relief that erupted from my father's lips. However, I couldn't bring myself to even exhale a sharp breath. I was already hopeless. I watched as the two families exchanged handshakes.

"Rest assured, Mr. Castellano, your company is safe now," Antonio's father uttered with a small smile. And at that moment, I became invisible. My service was no longer needed. I had played my part, but now I was stuck with a dangerous man.

We were handed a copy of the signed document and the marriage certificate. My eyes lingered on my signature. How, just by a slip of my hand, my life had changed. The dream I once had of having that glamorous wedding with the love of my life had been shattered. None of that had happened. It was a marriage of convenience, to save my family.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Salvatore," Antonio proclaimed beside me. That was when I noticed we were the only ones in the room.

"Least you have forgotten, signing a marriage contract with you doesn't mean I've signed myself away or my family," I seethed. I was about to turn on my heels to walk out when he yanked me back. In a split second, I found my back colliding with the nearest wall and a pair of dark eyes burning into my skull.

"Don't you dare walk out on me when I'm talking to you. I will be the one to decide what I want to do with your life. To control it or destroy it," my body shuddered at his threatening words. The pain from how tightly he held my hands was beginning to become unbearable.

His face was a mere inch away from mine. The look in his eyes was dangerous. I could imagine what my life would be like living under the same roof as him.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" He exclaimed, grabbing my cheeks with his fingers. This time, a wince escaped me as I felt a sharp pain on my cheekbone. I nodded in response, not having the strength to talk.

He released his hold on my wrist, creating some distance between us. "You and I are legally married. That means you will respect me and do everything I say. I've already promised to save your father's company, and I will fulfill that. You are the exchange for the deal. So behave yourself." I watched as he walked out of the office, the sound of his footsteps echoing all over.

I almost slumped down on the floor as everything began replaying in my head, most especially his words, which were nothing but dangerous threats. Would there be happiness in my life again? Would I be able to live a normal life like before, when I'm chained to the dangerous mafia leader Antonio Di Salvatore?