Chapter 1
Sera's Pov:
I sat in the garden, all alone. It was 4 in the evening. I was wearing my white gown and reading a book, busy in my own world.
I was flipping through the pages when I suddenly heard someone call my name.
"Sera."
I turned around. It was Mum. I got up from the bench and walked towards her.
She started scolding me softly, like always.
"Sera, you shouldn't stay outside for too long. You know it's not safe." Mum sighed.
"And at least take someone with you next time. You always get lost in your books and forget everything around you."
I just nodded and smiled at her words.
"I know it's dangerous out there. I know I shouldn't be alone. You don't have to remind me every time," I said softly, taking a deep breath.
Mum looked at me for a moment before speaking again. "Your dad is coming home tomorrow."
"Oh," I replied quietly.
My dad usually stayed away from home.
Being a mafia leader took most of his time and effort.
Yes, my dad is in the mafia.
But did that matter to me? No.
Mum and I walked back inside our mansion.
The house was huge and beautiful, with shiny marble floors, tall glass windows, and expensive paintings on the walls. Soft golden lights made the whole place look warm and royal.
Everything inside the mansion showed power and wealth.
My father owned many businesses in London and Italy.
To the world, he was a successful businessman with hotels, clubs, and luxury companies. People respected his name everywhere.
But behind all that wealth and fame, there was another side of his business that only a few people knew about.
Even I didn't know much about that side of his business. Dad always said it was a secret.
Well, I couldn't really blame him.
Some secrets were better hidden.
"You go and change. I'll check if everything is ready," Mum said.
I nodded. Dad liked everything to be perfect and in its proper place whenever he came home.
I walked towards my room and fell onto my bed.
"I'm tired," I whispered softly.
My room was large and peaceful. The walls were white with soft golden lights around them. A huge bed sat in the middle of the room with silk pillows and blankets. Near the window was a small bookshelf filled with my favorite novels. White curtains moved gently with the evening wind, making the room feel calm and quiet.
I slowly drifted to sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, it was already 9.
I quickly got up and walked towards the dining hall.
Dad was sitting at the table, eating dinner with Mum.
I wasn't very close to my dad, but I still loved him like every child loves their father.
I walked towards him. He smiled as he looked at me.
"Seraphina."
Yep, that was my real name. Seraphina. My dad never called me by any nickname.
I hugged him before sitting beside him.
Mum stayed quiet, busy eating her dinner.
She never dared to look directly into Dad's eyes. I never really knew why.
It wasn't like Dad ever threatened her or treated her badly. They actually had a healthy relationship.
But still, Mum always acted careful around him. Maybe that was just how she was.
Or maybe there was something I didn't know.
"Elena," Dad said.
My mum immediately looked up at him, finally meeting his gaze.
"We're having a guest in twenty minutes. Make sure everything is arranged."
Mum nodded quickly and stood up, leaving her food unfinished. She took a step forward before Dad spoke again.
"I want your presence too, Seraphina."
I looked at him in surprise.
At the same moment, I noticed Mum stop in the middle of her steps. She slowly turned towards us, her eyes meeting Dad's.
It was strange. Dad never let me meet any guests who came to our house. He always told me to stay in my room. Always.
Mum turned around and quietly left the dining hall.
"Go get ready," Dad said before getting up and walking out of the dining hall.
I knew this was strange. Everything about it felt weird.
I looked around the now quiet dining hall. A few maids stood silently near the walls.
The dining hall looked royal and elegant. A long marble table stood in the center with golden chairs around it. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, glowing softly above us. The walls were decorated with expensive paintings and golden designs, while tall windows were covered with dark velvet curtains. Everything in the room looked rich, powerful, and perfectly arranged.
I checked myself in the mirror. I was wearing a long white satin dress that flowed softly around my body. The dress had thin sleeves and small silver details near the neckline, making it look simple but elegant. My hair fell neatly over my shoulders, and the soft glow of the lights made everything look even prettier.
I smiled at my reflection.
I looked pretty.
I was busy admiring myself when I suddenly heard a knock on the door.
A maid stood outside.
"Sir has called for you, ma'am," she said politely, bowing her head without meeting my gaze.
I nodded softly.
I entered the large living hall. The room was grand and luxurious, with high ceilings, soft golden lights, and huge glass windows covered by dark curtains. Expensive paintings decorated the walls, and a massive crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room. The black and gold furniture made the whole place look elegant and powerful.
I saw Mum and Dad sitting on one of the large couches. In front of them sat a man who looked around his mid twenties.
He was tall and well-built, wearing a perfectly fitted black suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline made him look cold and intimidating. A silver watch rested on his wrist, and his dark eyes looked calm yet dangerous at the same time.
"Seraphina," Dad called as soon as he saw me.
He signaled for me to sit beside him. I walked over and sat between Mum and Dad.
The conversation soon shifted to business.
I stayed quiet, listening carefully.
"You handled the Italy deal better than I expected," Dad said, looking at the man. "Very few people can manage things that smoothly."
The man gave a small smile. "I just did what was needed."
Dad nodded in approval. "That's exactly why people respect you. Calm mind, smart decisions, and no unnecessary mistakes."
Mum stayed silent beside me while Dad continued praising him.
"Even in London, your name carries power now," Dad added. "At your age, that's impressive."
"Power means nothing if you can't control it," the man replied calmly.
Dad chuckled softly. "See, Seraphina? This is the kind of thinking that keeps a man on top."
I quietly looked at the stranger again, finding it strange how highly Dad spoke of him.
I started feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. His dark eyes stayed on me for a little too long, making me shift slightly in my seat.
There was something cold and unreadable about the way he looked at me, and for some reason, it made me nervous.
"Seraphina," Dad said, looking at me. "Meet Matteo De Luca."
I politely bowed my head towards him.
Dad leaned back against the couch, clearly impressed by the man sitting in front of us.
"Matteo is one of the most respected men in Italy. Smart, powerful, disciplined. everything a man should be. At such a young age, he has already built a name people fear and respect."
Matteo stayed calm and silent while Dad continued praising him.
I didn't understand why Dad was telling me all this. The more he spoke, the more uncomfortable I felt.
Then Dad looked directly at me and said something that made my eyes widen in shock.
"You're going to be engaged to him."
I looked at the stranger. His eyes were already on me again.
God, I hated the way he looked at me.
I quickly turned towards Mum, but she was staring down at her hands quietly, avoiding everyone's gaze.
I gulped nervously.
What was Dad saying?
No. No, no, no. This couldn't be real.
I couldn't marry a complete stranger.
A literal stranger.
"Everheart and De Luca will rule the world together," Dad said proudly. "And we'll destroy the Trusovas."
The moment I heard that name, hatred filled my chest.
The Trusovas were feared everywhere. Their name was connected to blood, violence, and destruction. People whispered about the terrible things they had done, the families they had ruined, and the cities they had turned into battlefields. Even the thought of them made me feel sick.
I had grown up hearing nothing but hatred for them, and honestly, I hated them too.
Matteo chuckled softly after hearing Dad's words, clearly agreeing with him.
Just then, his phone rang. He looked at the screen, and his expression darkened slightly.
"I have to leave," he said calmly.
Dad nodded at him. "We'll talk again soon."
Matteo stood up and walked out of the mansion, his footsteps echoing through the quiet hall.
Dad left without saying anything else to me. Not even a single explanation.
I looked at Mum helplessly. "Mum, I don't want to get married," I said softly, trying to hold back my tears. "I'm only nineteen."
But Mum said nothing. She stayed quiet for a moment before turning around and leaving the hall without a word.
I stood there alone as silent tears slipped down my cheeks.
