Chapter 5: Our paths won’t cross

Soraya stared at Emilio’s number glowing on the screen. At first, she had no intention of answering his call, but a part of her still wanted to hear what excuse he would come up with. She finally slid her finger across the screen and brought the phone to her ear.

"Where have you gone?" Emilio demanded the moment she answered. "I’ve been calling you since last night. Did you run away? The priest told me that you cancelled the wedding. I was stuck somewhere, Soraya. That’s why I couldn’t reach you in time. I even came to your house, but you weren’t there either."

Hearing him continue to lie as though nothing had happened made Soraya’s blood boil. She clenched her jaw, trying to control her anger, but she couldn’t listen to another word.

"You’ve got the wrong person," she snapped. "Don’t ever call me again, you cheater!"

Before Emilio could respond, Soraya ended the call. The next second, she blocked his number and placed the phone firmly on the table.

"The audacity of him claiming that I ran away," she muttered with a bitter chuckle.

She shook her head, still unable to believe that he had the nerve to turn the situation around and make himself sound like the victim. After everything he had done, he was actually trying to make her feel guilty for cancelling the wedding.

Soraya pushed the thought aside and headed toward the washroom.

A few minutes later, she stepped out after freshening up, expecting to find the room empty.

Instead, she stopped in her tracks.

Santino was sitting comfortably in a chair across the room, his posture relaxed as though he had been waiting for her the entire time.

Soraya blinked in surprise.

"How long have you been sitting there?" she asked.

"For fifteen minutes," Santino replied.

His gaze briefly traveled over her appearance, taking in her bare legs and then her damp hair, which she had swept over to one side after washing it. He stood from the chair and picked up a shopping bag that had been resting beside him.

"Your dress."

Soraya reluctantly accepted the bag from him and glanced inside. The sight of the expensive dress only made her feel more uncomfortable.

"I’ll pay you," she stated firmly.

Santino raised an eyebrow. "Why would you pay me?"

"Because I can’t accept all of this from someone I barely know." Soraya tightened her grip on the bag. "Besides, I have certain principles. I don’t like being indebted to anyone."

She paused before looking directly at him.

"And I already told you, I won’t marry you. I have no idea who you are."

After everything she had witnessed downstairs, Soraya had started to understand just how dangerous the man standing before her could be. She had searched his name on her phone and discovered enough about the Selvaggio family to know that he wasn’t simply some wealthy businessman.

He was a Mafia King.

That knowledge frightened her.

She didn’t know what rules governed his world, how many enemies he had, or what would happen if she refused to do what he wanted. The longer she stayed in his mansion, the more desperate she became to leave.

Santino stepped forward, keeping his gaze fixed on hers. There was a firmness in his expression that made it clear he had no intention of backing down.

"I have no intention of letting you go," he said. "Who knows? Your fucking ex might come knocking on your door and hurt you. I did my research, Soraya."

His fingers brushed against her cheek, and she instinctively flinched at the unexpected touch. Santino noticed her reaction, but instead of stepping away, his hand moved to the back of her head. He drew her closer until only a small distance remained between them, their noses almost touching.

"Santino," she whispered, placing both hands against his chest.

He remained where he was, seemingly unwilling to give her the distance she was asking for.

"We can get to know each other after we’re married," he continued. "We’ll go on dates, learn about each other’s interests, explore places together, and—"

He couldn’t finish.

Soraya raised a finger and gently pressed it against his lips, stopping him mid-sentence.

"When a woman says no, then it’s no, Mr. Selvaggio," she said firmly.

She slowly lowered her hand but didn’t look away from him.

"We aren’t living in ancient times where a man can simply decide that a woman will marry him and expect her to obey. I have my own choices, and I have made mine very clear."

For the first time, Santino’s confident expression faltered slightly as he studied her.

"Very well. Then you can leave after having breakfast," Santino stated, taking a step back and giving her some space. His expression remained calm, but the confidence in his eyes made Soraya uneasy. "But let me remind you, Raya, you’ll ask me to marry you when you’re in your right mind. I’m certain of it," he added confidently.

Soraya frowned at his words, unable to understand where his confidence came from. ’Why would I ever want to marry a mafia?’ she wondered. The very thought seemed absurd to her.

"Our paths won’t cross again, Mr. Selvaggio. I promise you that," Soraya stated firmly. After a brief pause, however, her expression softened. "But I must admit, you’re a gentleman. You saved me last night, and for that, I’m truly thankful."

"Change into the dress and come downstairs for breakfast," he said, finally putting some distance between them before walking out of the room.

Soraya let out a deep breath as the door closed behind him. She quickly locked it from the inside, then leaned against it for a moment, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

"He looked so confident," she murmured, frowning. "But there’s no way I’m going to come back to him. My life is already filled with enough problems. Getting involved with the Mafia King is the last thing I ever want."