Chapter 3 Doomed

  I had refused Luciano's maids and their stupid food. I didn’t need food; I needed my husband back. I couldn’t even sleep for long before jolting awake at the sound of that brutal gunshot replaying in my head. I cried for my husband, but he didn’t come.

The door to my room opened, and I already knew who it was.

“Why did you refuse to eat?” I heard Angelo ask angrily.

“Leave me alone,” I said.

“Jesus, you’re really making this hard for all of us,” he snapped.

“Eat, and I’ll allow you to attend his funeral,” he added.

That immediately caught my attention. I sat up.

“What kind of murderer hosts a funeral for his victim?” I asked.

He rolled his eyes.

“Will you eat or not?” he asked. I stayed silent, and he turned toward the door.

“Wait!” I called. He stopped in his tracks.

“I… I will eat,” I stuttered, angry at myself for letting him win. But I wanted—no, needed—to say a proper farewell.

“The maids will bring the food,” he said, moving toward the door. Then he stopped and turned back to me.

“Tomorrow, you’ll go shopping for the wedding,” he said.

Just like that, my mood darkened.

“I—”

“If you don’t,” he cut me off, “you won’t come with me to the funeral.”

So now he was blackmailing me.

“I won’t marry you,” I said.

He walked toward me and leaned close to my ear.

“I don’t want to marry you either,” he whispered coldly. “But I don’t have a choice.”

Then he stepped back and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts that were now a storm raging inside me.

I would be betraying my husband if I married him.

My door opened and I was ready to yell at the bastard to leave me alone that I will never marry him, but a lady stood by the door instead. 

“Tell your boss that he should fuvking leave me alone” I said angrily. 

“You’re just as beautiful as Alberto said you were,” she said with a smile. 

And I look at her in confusion. 

“What do you mean? I asked with furrowed brows.

She walked towards me, “I am sorry you have to witness his death" she said slowly” and just like that memory of my husband’s empty eyes staring at me came to my mind, a lone tear dropped from my eyes. And she looked at me with pity. 

“I don’t want your pity” I said and wipe my tears.

“Come with me, let's go shopping” she said, changing to an even more uncomfortable topic. 

“You think I care about some nonsense shopping? I asked coldly. 

“Please don’t make this harder than it already is, she said. 

A thought crossed my mind, I can’t possibly stay here and do nothing. If we go shopping I can have a chance to escape. 

“Okay, I said.” And she gave me a bright smile. That I didn’t return. 

“I am Gia, she said. 

I wanted to ignore her but she seemed kind. 

“Arina, forced out. And she smiled again. Let's go, she said and I followed her. 

I had tried on several wedding gowns I had no interest in wearing, and finally Gia decided on one—as if this were some happy occasion.

Gia was Luciano's sister; she told me that on our way here, and it only made my anger simmer. Anyone related to a killer couldn’t possibly be one.

I stepped into the dressing room and changed.

“I need to use the restroom,” I told the salesperson.

She gave me an awkward look. “I need to ask permission from Madam Gia,” she said nervously.

I snapped.

“What is she—your boss?” I yelled. Of course she's the sister of New York's biggest CEO.

Gia walked into the section we were in.

“What’s happening here?” she asked.

“What’s happening,” I said sharply, “is that I don’t even have the basic human freedom to use a damn restroom without your permission.”

“You can go,” she said quietly.

I rolled my eyes. “Show me to the damn restroom,” I said to the salesperson.

She flinched, and I almost felt sorry for her.

“Don’t try anything funny,” Gia said sternly.

At that moment, I realized how much she looked like her monster of a brother.

I shot her a dirty glare and followed the salesperson.

I forced myself to breathe as I entered the restroom. I was exhausted and weak. I should have eaten the food Luciano's maids brought.

I turned on the tap, splashing water on my face, forcing air into my lungs. My hands trembled as I gripped the sink.

Think, Arina. Think.

I peeked outside. There was no one—just a few cleaners moving about.

I slipped out of the restroom and tried walking past Gia’s section, but if I did, she would see me. I caught a glimpse of her hair.

She was about to turn in my direction.

I froze, then quickly hid behind a shelf.

Fuck.

What would I do?

That’s when I remembered the window.

I immediately turned back, hurried into the restroom again, and locked the door.

Relief washed over me when I realized Gia hadn’t left anyone to follow me.

My hands shook as I pushed the window open. It resisted at first, then gave way with a soft creak. I let out a shaky breath of relief.

I climbed onto the sink shelf, silently praying it wouldn’t break. Then I swung one leg out, then the other.

I jumped.

Pain shot through my ankle as I hit the pavement outside, but it was nothing compared to the ache crushing my chest—or the pain that would come if I married Alberto’s murderer.

So I ran.

Down an alley. Past dumpsters.

My lungs burned, my vision blurred, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t even know where I was going.

I turned a corner and saw a truck approaching. I stepped onto the road and waved frantically.

It stopped.

Thank God—it stopped.

“P-please,” I begged breathlessly. “Some men are after me.”

The driver smiled and gestured for me to get in. I climbed inside, my body sagging with relief.

I need to go to the police, I thought. I’ll tell them everything.

“Please drop me at the nearest police station,” I said.

He didn’t reply.

A sudden unease crept over me. I studied him closely. He was wearing a black suit—broad, muscular, built like a thug. My stomach twisted.

“Just… just stop here,” I said, shifting in my seat.

Still no response.

Instead, he pulled out his phone.

“Got her, boss,” he said calmly.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“I have had enough of her nonsense” came a familiar, furious voice through the phone. “I’ll fucking kill the bitch.”

My blood turned cold.

It was Luciano.

And I knew—I was completely doomed.