Chapter 17: Play the loving husband

"That cannot happen," Santino replied, gently pulling her to her feet. "I vowed to be your shield. I understand your anger, and I will give you time."

He guided her back to the edge of the mattress. Soraya glared up at him, her eyes sharp with resentment.

"I was doing just fine on my own," she said. "Even if you laid the entire world at my feet, I will never be a true wife to you."

"That’s alright. I will do my job as your husband," Santino stated calmly. "Even iron melts in the fire. You will, too, once you see my devotion."

With that, Santino turned and left the room. Soraya pulled the duvet over her shoulders and lay back against the pillows, trying to force herself to sleep.

"I should have never gone to their house," she whispered into the silence of the room. "I actually believed my life would improve once I found my biological family. I was better off when no one knew me."

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, slipping into her hair and dampening the pillow beneath her cheek. She pulled the duvet up over her face and wept quietly until exhaustion finally took over.

When she woke up the next morning, she was surprised to find herself back in her main bedroom. The shattered glass had been swept away, the damaged window frame had been completely replaced, and the fresh plaster on the cracked wall was already painted over. Not a single trace of the attack remained.

"Did he carry me back here?" she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

A sudden growl in her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten a full meal in nearly a day.

Deciding not to waste any time, she went straight to the washroom to freshen up, then changed into a simple dress that had been left laid out at the foot of the bed. As she opened the door and hurried downstairs toward the main floor, she was caught off guard to find uniformed maids posted along the corridor and staircase, standing ready in silence to serve her.

Soraya descended the grand staircase, pausing mid-step when familiar voices drifted from the drawing room. She hurried toward the doorway and stopped, surprised to find Angelo and her parents talking with Santino in surprisingly high spirits.

"Sora!" Angelo called out, his face lighting up as he stood and crossed the room to her. Antoine and Evelina quickly rose from their seats as well, while Santino stood more slowly near the back.

Angelo caught her by the arms and pulled her into a warm embrace. "Santino had us brought here so we could check on you," he said, stepping back to gently brush a lock of hair from her forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm," Soraya murmured, forcing a small nod. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the sniper attack from the previous night; Angelo was the last person she wanted dragging into this violent world.

"We are going out," Angelo informed her.

"Really?" Soraya’s eyes lit up in joy.

"Yes. We need to shop for you. Santino called me early in the morning, saying you need to explore Rome with your family," he affirmed, smiling.

Soraya frowned to learn that Santino planned it. But back in her mind, she knew Santino was trying to create a good image of himself.

"I want to go home for a few days," Soraya said, looking at Santino finally. "After marriage, girls go to their family homes."

"Yes, you are right," Angelo stated, turning to look at his friend.

"Sure, you can go. But after we return from our honeymoon," Santino answered with a slight smirk. Walking toward them, he added calmly, "Let’s have breakfast."

He reached out to take her hand, but Soraya immediately yanked it back from his grip.

"Don’t try to play the loving husband," she said, glaring at him.

"Everyone here knows you forced me into this marriage. Just show us to the dining room." She grabbed her brother’s arm, leaving Angelo looking thoroughly confused.

"Wait, did you not eat dinner last night?" Angelo asked, tilting his head as he studied her face.

"I wasn’t hungry last night, so I just went to sleep early," Soraya lied smoothly.

"Follow me. Mr. and Mrs. Dalias, please," Santino said, gesturing for her parents to follow. As he led the way down the hall, Evelina fell into step beside her daughter.

"Things aren’t going well between you two, are they?" her mother asked softly.

"Did you honestly expect me to fall in love with him overnight?" Soraya muttered under her breath.

Santino chuckled with a smile as he heard her. They were finally in the dining room, where a heavy mahogany table stretched beneath a glittering crystal chandelier. The maids lowered their heads in reverence as everyone took their respective seats around the table.

On his command, the breakfast spread was immediately served to them. Soraya began eating without waiting for the others, her spoon clinking against the fine china as she focused entirely on her plate, pointedly ignoring her husband.

"Eat slowly, Sora," Santino said, his tone infuriatingly calm. "Do you want to choke yourself?"

He placed a fresh cup of coffee right in front of her plate. "Try this. It’s a premium blend."

"Since you’re recommending it, I’m definitely not drinking it," Soraya stated, pushing the porcelain mug a few inches away.

"Sora, that is no way to speak to him. Santino is your husband now," Antoine asserted, giving his daughter a stern, warning look from across the table.

"I never wanted him to be my husband. He forced me," Soraya retorted.

"I gave you the choice," Santino reminded her softly, his eyes locking onto hers. "It was never forced."

Angelo decided to intervene before the brewing tension could ruin the morning completely.

"Sora, I’ll take you to a special place in Rome later today," he offered, giving her a smile. "They have the best coffee available in the city."

Soraya glanced at her brother, her expression softening just enough to acknowledge him, though her hand remained tightly wrapped around her glass.

’Santino, you will regret having me as your wife,’ she thought.