Chapter 10: A strong passion

"You are a monster," Soraya said sharply.

She dreamt of a comfortable life; now she had found her family. But who thought her biological father had already made a deal with Santino.

Santino didn’t react to her insults. He just adjusted his cuffs, looking at her patiently. "I get what I desire, Soraya. Your happiness with them, or their survival... the choice has always been yours."

Her gaze landed on Antoine, the man who had sold her out without a second thought, now looking away in silent agreement with Santino’s ruthlessness.

She couldn’t help laughing at her fate.

All the warmth, the dreams of a loving family, and the hope of a peaceful life shattered into a thousand pieces right then and there.

"Fine," Soraya spat, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand. Her voice suddenly turned cold. "I’ll marry you."

Evelina gasped softly. "Soraya, no—"

"Shut up!" Soraya snapped, turning her harsh gaze toward her mother.

She took a step closer to Antoine and Evelina, her chin lifted high, though her eyes were completely dead.

"I will marry him to keep you all alive," Soraya said in a sharp tone. "But listen to me carefully, Antoine Dalias. The moment I sign those marriage papers, I am done with you. I am not your daughter, and you are not my father. You spent billions to find me just to sell me off, so consider my marriage the repayment for every single penny you wasted."

Antoine opened his mouth, but Soraya didn’t let him speak.

"Don’t ever call me your daughter again," she continued, her voice echoing coldly in the grand hall. "I step out of this house as a stranger. I owe this family nothing anymore."

She then turned around and faced Santino directly, stepping up to him until there were only a few inches between them. She looked straight into his dangerous eyes without flinching.

"You wanted me as your wife?" Soraya said, a cruel smile touching her lips. "Congratulations, Santino. You got me. But don’t you dare expect a loving bride. You will only get my hatred."

Santino looked down at her before an amused smirk spread across his face. He reached out, his long fingers gently cupping her chin, forcing her to keep her gaze locked with his.

"Hatred is a strong passion, Soraya," Santino murmured. "It means I will occupy your mind every single second of the day. And that is more than enough for me."

Soraya slapped his hand away, glaring at him. "Do you want me to go with you or not?"

Santino smirked, he didn’t mind being pushed away as he had all the time in his life to tame the little kitten.

"Let’s go," he said and turned to move as Soraya followed behind him.

"So..." Antoine’s throat turned dry as he couldn’t even call her name as Eveline’s loud wail could be heard as Soraya walked away.

Santino, being a gentleman, opened the car door for her, letting her settle in before taking the steering wheel.

"Santino," Angelo’s shaking voice came from behind as he ran toward them. "Stop, please!"

Santino raised a brow but he didn’t feel annoyed, after all, Angelo was the only best friend out of his circle and soon to be brother-in-law.

He opened the car door and stepped out. "Yes, Angelo? Is something wrong?"

Angelo wanted to punch him before telling him how wrong he was acting. But showing this side of hers to Soraya would be wrong.

"Santino," he began, "I’m happy that you like my sister and want to marry her. However, it’s not even a day since she returned and is already taking her away."

Santino’s brows knitted together.

"I’m not against your demand but can you at least give me an honor to walk my sister to the aisle?" Angelo carefully rephrased his words, trying not to offend the man in front of him.

Santino turned quiet for a while as he pursed his lips, thinking about something and then glanced at Soraya, whose cheeks were puffed in anger and eyes were red, trying to hold back tears.

"Hm," Santino nodded. "All I wish for Soraya to be my wife tomorrow." He went and helped her out of the car. "I’ve waited for so long, I can wait a few hours more."

With that, he didn’t say a word and left as if he’d stayed one moment longer, he’d be forced to change his decision.

Soraya finally broke down as she covered her face with her palms and sobbed loudly.

Angelo immediately went to her and hid his sister in his embrace, letting her cry all she wanted.

"Let’s go inside," he held her hand and guided her in.

"Soraya," Antione’s eyes lit up the moment he saw his daughter.

"My baby..." Evelina, who was on the verge of losing consciousness, came forth but both were ignored by her.

"Mom, Dad," Angelo said coldly. "Do not bother her anymore. You’ve done enough."

He, then, guided Soraya to her newly prepared room which she was not even able to see before.

"Shh, Shh!" Angelo’s heart ached as he tried to coax his sister. "I’m here," he said and once again hugged her.

"I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep you safe," as he said a drop of tear spilled out of his eyes.

"Why are you saying sorry?" Soraya sniffled as she wiped her years from the back of her hand. "At.... At least you stopped him for me."

Angelo smiled in between his tears, but nothing came out of his mouth.

"You know," Soraya’s lips trembled. "I... I would have been fine if you all didn’t come looking for me. All these years, I was surviving well without any of you. I thought to put my trust in all of you, but what did I get in return? A marriage with a man whose hands are filled with blood."

She sobbed while trying to keep herself strong in this situation. "All my life, I’ve been abandoned by the people I trusted and the same thing happened once again."

Angelo’s body stiffened at her words but he stayed quiet, letting Soraya blurt out everything.