10 "Night of Revelations"

Emma

The day of the engagement had arrived, and I was immersed in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I didn't want to see these people, and having to pretend to be a happy bride was suffocating.

Andrew and I had to continue defining the wedding details, although it was he who truly dictated the rules. We maintained the facade of a passionate couple for the mafia family. It was as if we were building a forced alliance.

I thought of my father; every day, I thought of him. How was he doing? Did he think of me? Surely, he was better off than I was. That was clear.

The day was just beginning, and I could hear the hustle and bustle of people working, probably preparing for the damn engagement. I left the room in search of some distraction. I was hungry, but I didn't want to go downstairs. After all, I was still a stranger in this mansion. I walked through the hallways silently, marveling at the grandeur of the place.

That's when I found a partially open door. My heightened curiosity c