EmmaOnce again, the bus was late. I sighed as I looked at the watch in my hand, feeling my heart beat a little faster. The sensation of always battling against time was exhausting, the uncertainty of making it to work on time while the city's chaotic traffic toyed with my fate.It was a scene that repeated itself daily: the morning sun beginning to illuminate the bustling streets hurried people and tired faces rushing to catch the bus, and the sounds of honking and engines filling the air. I gripped the strap of my bag tightly, bracing myself for the impending struggle.I worked at a diner in Brooklyn, New York. Serving others was incredibly tiresome, and the sleazy jokes from the men who came in there every day were a constant burden. But I had to endure, after all, it was just my father and me.He had a job at a shoe store, and his work alone wouldn't be enough to sustain our household.As the bus crawled through the congested streets, my dreams seemed farther away than ever. The j

EmmaAfter a long journey inside that car, I struggle to maintain my lucidity, but the voices continue to echo in my mind, like a constant disturbing buzz. My mind wrestles between the need to face reality and the desire to escape into a mental refuge. The images of my father's worried expression as the men tore me away from his presence remain ingrained, a painful memory that haunts me.Finally, the car comes to a stop, and silence settles, broken only by the sound of doors opening. I feel hands guiding me out of the vehicle, and the blindfold is removed from my eyes. The daylight dazzles my senses for a moment, but soon I find myself in a place that seems to be Don's mansion, an equally dark and intimidating setting. The oppression around me is almost palpable."Move, girl," he muttered."Son of a bitch," I whispered angrily."What did you say?!" he glared at me."Nothing."He led me to a beautiful place; the mansion rises like a monument to his wealth and absolute control. It's a b

EmmaI slid my hands along the railing as I climbed the stairs, feeling the security guard following behind me, watching each step I took with meticulous attention. I felt like a cornered prey, a prisoner in every move I made.Andrew DeLuca possessed an aura of authority that spread wherever he went. Every word that came out of his mouth was like a blow, intensifying my anger and desperation. I didn't want to be here, didn't want to be part of this arrangement, but my father's life was at stake, and I couldn't ignore that.My attempts to contact the outside world had been thwarted. They took my cell phone, and I found myself completely isolated. I had always been the master of my own life, and being in this situation of vulnerability was distressing. All my freedom had been taken away from me.The security guard stopped in front of a door, and an elderly woman named Clara appeared."Ms. Emma, I'm Clara. Mr. DeLuca asked me to take care of everything you need. This will be your room fo

EmmaI got out of bed carefully, my feet touching the floor with light and cautious steps. The knock on the door had pulled me out of my thoughts, but it had also ignited a wave of fear and panic within me. I knew who was on the other side of the door, and the mere idea of facing Andrew DeLuca made my heart race.My steps led me toward the door, my fingers hesitating on the doorknob before finally turning it slowly. I was only in a corset, and I hadn't even realized it until he scanned me from head to toe.The door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Andrew DeLuca, his dominant posture filling the room's threshold. His intense eyes were fixed on me, and despite my attempts to decipher his expression, it remained an enigma."What do you want?" I spoke, my voice carrying a mix of challenge and nervousness."Is this how you treat your future owner and husband, Emma?" His voice sounded with a mix of sarcasm and au

Emma I was sitting in my room, staring into space, lost in thoughts about how my life had taken such an unexpected turn. The forced marriage to Andrew hung over me like a dark shadow, and I wondered if I would ever find a way out of this nightmare. I couldn't stop thinking for even a minute. I was pulled from my thoughts when a soft knock on the door echoed through the room. My heart jumped in my chest, and I wondered what it could be this time – was it him? The door opened to reveal one of DeLuca's security guards. "Miss Emma," he said in a deep voice, "Mr. DeLuca requests your presence in his office. He wants you to choose your wedding dress today." I sighed inwardly. Just what I needed. This day was inevitable, but it didn't mean I was looking forward to it. Imagining myself choosing a dress for a day I never even planned for. Andrew DeLuca was determined to keep up appearances, and I needed to make him believe I was committed to this marriage, at least until I found a way to p