Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
As Yutaro returns to the sitting room, I fold my arms around my middle and fight to keep the tears from falling.
The urge to destroy everything in sight before throwing myself out the window shoots through me, but one thought keeps me rooted to the spot.
Ryo.
Once my brother finds me, this will become nothing more than bad memories. One day, I will be happy again with my brother.
When I hear voices, I move closer to the door so I can eavesdrop.
“Seeing as you want the wedding to take place in New York, will you make all the arrangements?” Father asks.
“Yes,” Mr. Vitale answers. “It won’t be a big ceremony. I don’t trust you and your men around my family.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. Let me know the date, and Yuki will be there.”
Only then does it sink in that I’m being sent to a foreign country to marry a violent man.
I close my eyes at the intense wave of terror pouring through my veins. Unable to keep the tears back, one slips free and rolls over my cheek.
Suddenly, I hear movement, and as my eyes pop open, I see Mr. Vitale come into the room.
I stagger a few steps backward, and when he comes toward me, I flinch and duck my head while bracing for a punch.
“Yuki!” Yutaro growls. “Stop misbehaving.”
“Can you give me a minute alone with my fiancée?” Mr. Vitale asks, a world of impatience and anger in his deep voice.
“No. I’m here to guard her innocence,” Yutaro replies curtly.
Tension explodes around me, making the air tremble, and when Mr. Vitale places his hand on my shoulder, my body jerks as if I’ve been shocked with a high current of electricity.
He leans down, and as wave after wave of fear encircle my body and soul, he whispers near my ear, “Asking forgiveness would be a waste of time. Actions speak louder than words. That’s why I agreed to this marriage.”
The tremble that shudders through me makes me feel lightheaded.
He’s not accepting my apology and will make me suffer more for what happened to his brother.
Another tear trickles slowly down my cheek, and as Mr. Vitale pulls back, he sees it. His features turn grimmer, and when he lifts a hand to my face, I let out a whimper and dart backward while bringing my right arm up to block the blow.
He freezes, his gaze turning to stone as he stares at me.
Deep in my bones, I know if we were alone, he’d beat me to pulp for the way I reacted. For once, I’m thankful for Yutaro’s presence.
The next instant, Mr. Vitale turns around and leaves the room. Yutaro shoots me a glare, telling me he’ll deal with me once the guests leave, before he heads down the hallway.
With the cruel fate of marrying Augusto Vitale hanging over my head like a sharp-edged sword, everything I’ve been through since I was separated from Ryo overwhelms me.
Not caring that I’m weak, I begin to sob, tears spilling from my eyes.
When Yutaro returns and removes his belt, punishing me for what feels like the millionth time, I crumble to the floor and pray for death.
Maybe I should give up on this life.
Maybe the universe will take pity on me and reunite me with Ryo once we’re reborn.
Augusto
“Are you sure about marrying Tanaka’s daughter?” Georgi asks during the flight home.
I couldn’t leave Japan fast enough. Once I’m back in New York, I plan to sleep for a couple of days.
Before I can answer him, Christiano replies, “It doesn’t matter. Augusto agreed to the deal.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “There’s been enough blood spilled. It’s time things returned to normal. We have other business to attend to.”
“Christiano is right,” I add my two cents.
Rosie’s been quiet, working on her tablet in the seat beside mine. Still looking upset, she mumbles, “I’ll never complain about my family and you guys again. Holy shit, I feel bad for Yuki.”
“Sorry, Rosie. If I had known that would happen, I wouldn’t have forced you to come along,” Christiano says, his tone soft with remorse. His expression grows serious. “Have you thought about assigning a second-in-charge to fill your shoes during meetings?”
“Yeah, but who?” She glances at the four of us.
With Rosie being twenty-one and practically living in her office, she hasn’t been able to form relationships like the rest of us.
“Who do you trust most?” Christiano asks.
She waves a hand at us.
“What about Raffaele?” I mention. “I’m going to start training Riccardo to be my underboss.”
Everyone’s attention turns to me, and Christiano nods his head. “That’s an excellent idea.”
“Are you sure?” Rosie asks. “It would solve a lot of problems for me.”
“I don’t want to demote Raffaele after all he’s done for the family, but it’s time for Riccardo to take his rightful place. You’d be doing me a favor,” I tell Rosie.