Chapter 18: Your eyes will bleed

After breakfast, Soraya excitedly said, "I’m eager to enjoy the day with my brother." Leaving Santino’s sight, even for a few hours, felt like the breath of fresh air she desperately needed.

"Me too. We will..." Antoine opened his mouth but was interrupted by Soraya.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Soraya asked as she thought of the places that had always been in her bucket list.

"Don’t you want us to go with you, Sora?" Evelina said gently, taking a step toward her daughter with a faint, hopeful smile. "We want to spend time with you too."

"No," Soraya snapped, pulling back instantly. "Just because I talk to Angelo doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven either of you. You sold me off the moment it benefited you."

The sharp rejection left Antoine looking pale and humiliated, while Evelina swallowed hard, stepping back in silence. Angelo sighed softly, torn between his family and his sister, but he remained by Soraya’s side without arguing.

Santino watched their exchange in silence from the corner in the drawing room when he called up Marco.

"Take two extra vehicles and follow them," Santino ordered. "Keep your eyes on everywhere. If you find anyone suspicious, end them!"

"Understood, boss," Marco replied, bowing his head before checking the pistol tucked beneath his jacket.

Santino then walked to Soraya. He pulled a black credit card from his wallet and extended it toward her. "Take this. Buy whatever you want today."

Soraya looked at the card, a sneer twisting her lips. She didn’t want to touch it.

"Keep it," she said, her voice dripping with disgust. "I don’t want your dirty money. I’d rather walk barefoot across Rome than spend a single cent earned from blood and murder."

Her family watched her in disbelief while Marco couldn’t help but smile.

Santino laughed at her harsh reply. "It’s from my legitimate business," he replied, forcing her to hold that card. "Keep it. You want me to ask my brother-in-law to spend on your needs when you’re my wife."

"I don’t mind—" Angelo was cut short this time by Santino’s single glare.

"I may cancel your outing if you don’t agree to spend today from this card. Buy dresses, shoes, jewelry whatever you want," Santino stated.

"Fine." Soraya pushed the card into the sling bag she had put on. "I will spend extravagantly. Then, your eyes will bleed seeing how expensive I am."

Santino smiled. "The card has no limit. I am eager to see how much you spend. As a part of your safety, Marco and the bodyguards will be around you. Don’t try to go to places where Marco stops. Angelo knows that too."

"Don’t worry, Santino," Angelo assured him.

"Let’s go. The longer I stay here, the more he will lecture me," Soraya said with a pointed glare at Santino. She turned on her heels and hurried out.

"She’s upset with you," Angelo said. "It’s true though you forced her into a marriage."

"We will talk about this later. Go with her. I can’t bear to see her sad all the time," Santino declared.

Angelo gave a nod and glanced at his parents. "Mom, Dad, you both should go home. I’ll convince her for another outing with you two."

After Angelo left, his parents also took their leave.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Angelo drove them through the busy streets of Rome, pointing out famous places along the way.

"I did some research. You used to work all the time," he said.

"Did you contact the company where I work? Wait! I didn’t even resign from there. Now, I’m married to Santino, there’s no way he would let me work."

"That’s not true," Angelo refused. "If you tell him you wish to continue working, he will allow you. But not in that company, but maybe in his or the Dalias Industries. You’re the family heiress, after all."

Soraya frowned as she contemplated. "Why didn’t I think of that? But does Santino truly own anything legitimate? As for our family business, I think you can carry forward it in a much better way. I’ve been working in a clerical position for the past few months. I don’t have the experience to manage a company."

"You can definitely manage it," Angelo showed his belief in her. "Well, we are now at our destination."

Soraya watched him park near a quiet square surrounded by old stone buildings.

"Come on," Angelo said, smiling, unbuckling his seatbelt. "The famous coffee shop is right around the corner."

They walked down a sunny alley with Marco and two guards close behind. The café was small and cozy, with bamboo furniture all around.

Angelo ordered two dark roasts and brought them over to a secluded table in the corner of the patio, while Marco took a further seat from them, giving the siblings some time to bond as they ordered some coffee for themselves.

Soraya took a sip from her porcelain cup, her eyes softening slightly. "It really is good," she admitted, looking at her brother across the table.

"I told you," Angelo’s eyes lit us hearing this as he said with a soft chuckle.

But seeing how pale she looked and the dark circles under her eyes, his smile faded; his heart was squeezing in pain. He set his cup down and looked at her seriously.

"Sora, can I tell you something honestly?" Angelo asked.

Soraya looked up, her expression instant guarding again. "If this is about our parents, I don’t want to hear it."

"It’s not about them," Angelo said, shaking his head. "It’s about Santino."

Soraya scoffed, turning her head toward the street. "I don’t care about him either."

"I know you are angry at him, but please just listen to me," Angelo said, leaning toward her. "I’ve known Santino since we were children. You see a ruthless man, and you’re not wrong; he can be terrifying. But he grew up alone. He had to fight through bloodshed and betrayal just to stay alive."

Soraya stayed silent, gripping her coffee cup tightly. She didn’t want to hear the sad story of the Mafia King, but kept her mouth shut and listened to him.

"He doesn’t trust easily," Angelo continued softly. "He has almost no real friends, but he’d tear the world apart to protect the few people he cares about. Since he met you, nobody else matters to him. He was adamant to marry you, but he treats you with a patience he’s never shown anyone else."

Soraya’s chest still felt heavy with anger. "Angelo, I am not from the same world as him. I–I am afraid to even breathe the same air as him.

Angelo sighed. "I know it’s scary. But constantly fighting him will only hurt you. Try being a little softer with him, Sora, not for his sake, but for your own peace. If you let your guard down even a bit, you’ll see he’d give you the world, and even after that you don’t want him, I promise to take you away from him."

Soraya looked up, her eyes widening as she searched Angelo’s face. She needed to know if he actually meant it.

"You mean that?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You’d really help me get away if I fail to live well in this marriage?"

"I promise you, Sora," Angelo affirmed, placing his hand over hers. "Just stop fighting him so hard right now. Try to be smart. But even after that, if you still wish to leave, I’ll get you out."

A huge weight lifted off her chest. For the first time, she felt like she had a way out. She didn’t have to break herself fighting Santino every day; she just had to wait for the right moment and leave.

Soraya squeezed her brother’s hand. "Okay," she agreed. ’I’ll play along for now,’ she thought and smiled.

They roamed around the city and Soraya bought herself some decent clothes, especially night dresses.

By late afternoon, storm clouds gathered over the city. Feeling exhausted from the emotional toll of the day, Soraya asked Angelo to take her back to the Selvaggio estate.

As Angelo pulled up to the main entrance, he turned to her. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes," Soraya said. "Thank you for today, Angelo." The car finally stopped on the porch when Marco opened the door for her.

"Can I hug you, Angelo?" she urged.

"Of course!" Angelo opened his arms quickly after unfastening the seatbelt. He felt Soraya’s head resting on his chest.

"I’m glad to have a brother like you," she whispered. Pulling away, she climbed out. Marco had already taken out the shopping bags from the backseat and went inside.

Angelo waved at Soraya. "I’ll see you everyday. Go inside."

"Hmm. Bye."

However, as soon as she reached the grand hall’s entrance, her breath caught in her throat.