Chapter 1
The next chapters will have a pov…
The most important day of the year for the Alfieri family, one of the most powerful mafia clans in the world, was undoubtedly Roberto's birthday. This man, feared and respected globally, was not only the head of one of the most influential criminal organizations, but also the father of four daughters, who to him represented the most precious and irreplaceable gift life had given him. Every year, November 22nd was a special occasion, but in 2030, his birthday would not be like any other.
That November was particularly cold, with the chill having invaded the city and a thick layer of snow covering everything, even suffocating the hardiest of flowers. This very snow would witness the year when all four of Roberto's daughters would finally come of age. A significant moment, bringing with it a tradition Roberto knew well: the coming-of-age of his daughters had always been followed by numerous marriage proposals from the smaller organizations that fell under his family's control. The custom was that these proposals came in droves, as usual. But that evening, something unexpected would happen.
On that November 22nd, at dinner, Roberto found himself facing something he hadn’t anticipated: not only had the usual requests come from the organizations under his control, but also from four organizations that were more powerful than his own. He knew well that the heads of these global criminal families wanted to strengthen their ties with him through marriages to his daughters, but he never imagined all four of his daughters would receive such proposals. The situation, decidedly unusual, put him in a delicate position, especially considering that his family was, as always, the center of his existence. It was clear that he himself had suggested the organizations make these requests, but he hadn't expected fate to bring everything to this point.
When the letters from the four powerful organizations were placed on the dinner table, an eerie silence fell over the room. It was his wife, Chiara, who broke the silence first, looking at her husband with curiosity, though also a bit concerned about the strange atmosphere that had settled. With a soft, almost questioning tone, she asked, "What are these letters, Roberto?" The family head, without hesitation, replied in a calm and serene voice, "Marriage proposals."
Chiara, who had just finished placing the dishes on the table, paused for a moment to reflect on his answer, then, with a look of understanding, asked, "For the girls?" Roberto nodded, confirming without adding anything else. However, that simple gesture was not enough to calm the restlessness that now simmered among his daughters, still seated at the table, watching every movement, every word from their father.
Meanwhile, Scarlett, the eldest daughter, who had always had a strong and determined personality, could not bear the silence and abruptly stood up from her chair. With a cold, piercing gaze that seemed to cut through everything around her, she stared at her father. Her green eyes, deep and intense, betrayed all her irritation. "I don't think we've ever had a real discussion about this 'deal,'" she said, her voice as cold as the frost that was now sweeping outside the window. "I find this to be a matter of utmost importance, yet no one has ever asked for our opinion. I mean, we're not living in a past age, Dad. We’re not property to be traded." Scarlett’s tone was firm, but it couldn’t hide the underlying resentment that grew with each word she spoke.
Ruby, the second daughter, who had always been more pragmatic and less emotional, couldn't help but intervene. With a brief glance of disapproval at her older sister, still standing and causing a flare-up of tension in the room, Ruby spoke with a tone that left no room for debate: "Scarlett, please, stop being dramatic. Dad and Mom know full well we don’t live in the 1800s. There's no need to raise your voice as if we’re still in feudal times. We can talk like normal people." Her voice, though firm, tried to bring calm, but it didn't have the desired effect. Scarlett, already preparing to retort, stopped suddenly. Instead of responding, she took a step back, briefly glanced at Ruby, and then turned without saying a word, heading toward the hallway. In an instant, she disappeared around the corner, leaving the room engulfed in tense silence, thick with unspoken expectations.
The atmosphere around the table was heavy, and the dinner that was supposed to be a celebration for Roberto’s birthday was turning into an emotional battlefield. The situation, however, was far from resolved, and the father knew that his daughters, despite their outward calm, were struggling with the weight of a tradition they no longer felt part of. The evening was just beginning, and Roberto had a feeling that what would happen next would be very different from what he had once imagined in the past.
