Mafia Betrayal: The Price of an Arranged Marriage

Sophia's POV

Cold air swept over my skin as I held Angelina's urn (a metallic container used for ashes) close to my chest. Her ashes- ashes of my little girl. It would take three days for the Cemetery plot to get ready.

So, I wasn't ready to leave her anywhere else. Not yet.

The dim light from the corridor flickered, barely illuminating the path of my old apartment.

The place where I grew up with my mother, Jennie Wilson, the head butler at William Mansion. She always showed her loyalty towards the William Family.

She served them for half of her life. But in the end, they couldn't save her.

It was during their mall visit when the attack happened. The rival mafia group stepped in, aiming to kidnap Delia William, the mother of Lucas Williams.

Seeing that, my selfless mother didn't care about her own life and fought them. The attackers didn't expect her to be as fierce as she was at that time.

But then they stabbed her. Not once, or twice but for uncountable times. I could only imagine her pain and fear. It was not for herself but for me, her only daughter.

Even though she was breathing her last breath, she was still worried about me. She begged Delia to make me Lucas's bride, a final desperate wish that trapped me in this marriage which was no less than a prison.

Eventually, Delia had no choice but to promise her. Tears were falling from her eyes. And then, my mother died. At that moment, I was left with nothing but her heavy sacrifice.

Everybody thought that I gained power and wealth through this marriage but I was left with loneliness.

My father left us early, all I had was my mother. Moreover, now the cold title of "Lucas William's Wife" was accompanying me.

On the other hand, Lucas never wanted me. He was in love with Katherine, always had been. But he did as his mother said, just like a dutiful mafia heir.

On our wedding day, Delia took a deep breath and whispered, "Finally! Your mother can rest in peace now."

She did everything to ease her guilt but it didn't ease mine. Although I had a crush on Lucas for the last five years my mother knew I never knew when my dream would turn into reality, it would be so painful.

I still remember the first night alone with Lucas. I hoped that maybe things would change. But his cold words wounded me sharper than stabs from a knife.

"I married you just for my mother's sake. I am in love with Katherine." He paused. "I will play my part of being your husband in public but don't expect anything from me."

As he said, he played his part dutifully but behind doors, there was nothing between us. Just a void. The distance never lessened but always increased.

And one day, Angelina came into our lives. I thought that now things would change. Change for the better. But when she was born, the only words that came out of Lucas's mouth were, "Now me and my mom don't owe you anything."

Those words were still echoing in my mind as the door of my apartment burst open. I trembled as loud footsteps approached me and Lucas stormed in.

His eyes were blazing with fire. In addition, his men followed him like a shadow. But it was Katherine, who caught my attention. Her face was covered with a white mask.

Even though she was standing behind Lucas, I could see the smug satisfaction in her eyes.

The next moment, Lucas grabbed my collars and asked, "Where's Angelina? Ask her to come out."

My heart accelerated with the highest speed. I instinctively tightened my hold on the urn. "Don't mention her name. You don't deserve it!"

Lucas knitted his eyebrows together. "Now get out of my place with your mistress," I added further.

After listening to those words, Lucas's eyes darkened and jaw tightened. "Watch your words," he warned, his voice a deadly whisper. "Or you'll regret it."

I knew the power of a man who was standing in front of me. Lucas, the most feared mafia boss, demanded fear and respect. Fear was building inside me. But now I had nothing to lose.

My daughter was dead, now what else would he do to me?

"Let it be, Lucas," Katherine's soft voice echoed in the air. "Maybe Angelina didn't understand. Maybe she didn't know…"

Hearing that, Lucas lost his temper. "Katherine, stop speaking for that brat. Sophia must have asked her to ruin your face. Stop trying to save her. It will ruin her more."

"Are you mad, Lucas?" I stepped forward, speaking through my gritted teeth. "Angelina is your daughter. What exactly are you trying to do to her for this bitch?"

The next moment, Lucas's hand went down towards his waistband where he kept his gun. I took a deep breath as I knew how far he could go.

With a swift move, he pulled out the metallic weapon and rested it against my temple.

"I told you to behave. Nobody taught you anything since your mother died?"

Tears were threatening to fall on my cheeks but I didn't let them. The cold metal burnt against my skin. My heart pounded. For a moment I thought that he was going to pull the trigger.

Instead, he grabbed my arm, brutally twisted behind my back and pulled me with force.

"How dare you ask Angelina to put alcohol in Katherine's skin care. Don't you know that she is allergic to it? How can you involve her in this malicious plan?"

The next moment I put all my strength and freed myself from his hold.

"Angelina is just a five-year-old. She doesn't even know what alcohol is. How can you blame her when an older person who can easily smell it, still applies it on her face despite her allergy?"

His grip on the gun tightened. But something flickered in his eyes- doubts, maybe.

"Except for her, there was no one at home." He growled. "If it wasn't Angelina, then who?"

I didn't have an answer. But before I could say anything, one of his men walked in.

"Boss, he's demanding to meet you!"

Lucas lowered the gun slightly, but he didn't step back. "Who?"

"The man who was threatening to harm your family."

I gasped. My body went cold. Threats against Lucas weren't uncommon, but this one felt surreal.

Maybe this man killed my angel.

The next moment, his hand tightened around the gun. His face had an indescribable emotion.

"Where is he?" He asked.

"In the warehouse."

"Bring him here. I will deal with him myself," he ordered.

I swallowed hard as this wasn't the end. There was more to the story. There were threats, secrets and that serial killer.

"This isn't over, Sophia," Lucas said, turning his gaze towards me.

I was clueless about the whole incident, so I kept my mouth shut. But my eyes were fixed on the gun that was again pressing my temple.

"The surveillance recorded everything. The culprit will be severely punished, no matter what."