Seven Days to Wed My Mafia Ex's Uncle Don

On the day my mother passed away, Marco cried and promised her he would marry me.

But at our engagement party, he slipped the ring onto Sofia's hand instead.

"Why?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

All he offered me was a mocking laugh.

"Elara, I was comforting a dying woman. You actually took that seriously? Look at yourself. Did you honestly think you were ever good enough for me?"

Humiliation washed over me as I fled, their mocking gazes burning into my back.

I pulled out my phone, found the number I hadn't contacted in years, and dialed.

"Papa, is the marriage contract with the Moretti family still valid?"

"It is. But the Morettis have always insisted the arrangement be with Marco's uncle, the Don, Vincenzo…"

"I know. I'll marry him."

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1

My father was silent for a long moment on the other end of the line, then let out a long, satisfied sigh.

"Good. You've finally come to your senses. I'll see to it that you marry into the Moretti family with all the ceremony you deserve. A daughter of the Valenti family should never have to suffer out there alone."

My parents divorced when I was eight.

My mother left the Valenti estate with me, fleeing that heartless family that controlled the lifeblood of New York's real estate.

The day after we left, she had me take her last name.

It felt like a stain on my name, a truth I never dared to share with Marco.

If not for Marco's unbridled contempt, I probably would have never gone back.

"Elara? Are you having second thoughts?"

My father's cautious question pulled me from my thoughts.

I glanced back at Marco and Sofia kissing on the stage, then spoke into the phone.

"No. This time, it's my choice."

"Good. There's a perfect date seven days from now. I'll inform the Moretti family immediately."

"Don't let…"

"Don't worry. Marco's just a soldato; he has no say in his Don's marriage. He won't know a thing."

After the call ended, it felt as though a weight I’d carried for years had finally lifted.

Just as I was about to turn and leave the estate, a black car sped from a side street and crashed into the side of my car.

The impact sent my car flipping over.

Before I could process what had happened, I felt my body being thrown from the mangled steel.

Then, with a sickening thud, I slammed onto the asphalt.

Within seconds, a dark pool of blood spread beneath me.

The sickening crunch of metal silenced the celebration inside the estate.

A piercing pain shot through my calf.

When I looked down at my leg, my eyes met Marco's as he rushed out of the estate.

Almost instinctively, I looked to him for help.

But before I could speak, Marco frowned and said coldly,

"What is this, Elara? You tried to guilt-trip me with your mother's death once, and now you're pulling this stunt? You think getting hit by a car will make me marry you out of pity?"

He raised an eyebrow and let out a soft chuckle.

"Elara, stop dreaming. You've interrupted my special moment with Sofia. This will only make me despise you more!"

With that, he wrapped his arm around Sofia and started to turn back.

Sofia let out a delicate, slightly frightened cry from within Marco's arms.

"Marco, I think she's badly hurt. She's only doing this because she loves you. Shouldn't we take her to the hospital?"

"Sofia, you're the kindest person in the world. Don't worry, she's tough as nails; she won't die. We can't let her ruin our moment. Our wedding is in seven days, and this engagement ceremony has to be perfect. I don't want you to have any regrets…"

A metallic tang filled my mouth, turning to pure bitterness as it slid down my throat…