Fated to the Enemy.

| 2 | Betrothed.

My heart sinks as I process my Father's words.

Did I hear him correctly?

No.

That must not be true.

Did he just say...

"An arranged marriage?" I am breathless as my own voice escapes my lips. As I repeat the words for myself, I look back at my mother and see the wariness on her face, she doesn't seem to be happy about the news either.

My father's words hang heavily in the air as I process the revelation, and my heart pounds with fear and uncertainty. There's no way they're serious about this. Not once have they mentioned marriage to me. Not once. So why are they springing it on me all of a sudden?!

My mind races to make sense of my parents' decision, tears welling up in my eyes as my body begins to tremble out of anxiety.

"Mother? Is this true?" I ask, my voice shaking with a mixture of desperation and disbelief.

And soon, I get my answer when I watch as she nods solemnly in response. "Yes, my dear. I'm afraid it is," she replies, her voice gentle, yet tinged with sorrow.

"To who..." My voice trails off, my thoughts now focusing on the person they intend for me to marry. What is so special about him that they'd be willing to jeopardise my happiness just to wed us together...

"Angelo Verossi," My father finally responds, his voice firm and serious.

My entire body goes cold and shivers run along my skin. My heart begins thumping even faster than before as I stumble backwards, not even being able to support myself on my own two legs...

"Verossi..." I ask them, my tone quiet and completely terrified. It's like my muscles have gone numb with shock and I can't even give them a proper response...

The Verossi Family. Our biggest rivals. And they want me to wed the son of the Don? Angelo Verossi?

This is an absolute nightmare.

Our feud has been a long standing one, and their name is one synonymous with enmity and danger. The war between our families began with our fathers over the control of the territories we now rule. It's rich in its resources and contacts that can support our organisation... It has been ours for the longest time, but the Verossies claim the land belonged to Don Marco Verossi's grandfather, and my father's grandfather shot and killed him, taking his land after. We can no longer verify what happened because it was so long ago, but whether it is true or not, our families have grown to hate each other, and there has been too much bloodshed... on both sides...

Thankfully, I never had to meet the Verossies, and I only knew of what the Don and Donna looked like. Don Marco and Donna Sophia Verossi. They were cold, unforgiving, and conniving according to their father. And their son, is rumoured to be worse that both of them...

Angelo Verossi, the very name sent shivers down her spine. I have heard tales of his ruthlessness...

He kills without mercy. He knows no remorse or pity for the weak. He's cold and detached, and never showed himself unless he needed to. He exists as a ghost, so much that I've never even seen his face.

And now... I am to wed him?

"F-Father, you can't be serious," I stammer, my emotions unfortunately getting the better of me as I address my father.

"Isabella, my love, I know this is not what you envisioned, but we must consider the family's future and stability." he answers me.

"We have been at war with the Verossies for decades now. It's time we put it to an end. And instead, we can work to securing a successful future for both our families... as allies." He continues, his tone a mix of empathy and responsibility.

"But the Verossis, Father? Their family has caused us nothing but pain and suffering for generations," I plead, my voice tinged with desperation.

My mother then takes a few steps towards me once she sees how upset I've become, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder once she reaches me...

"We understand your concerns, Isabella, but we believe that times have changed, and this alliance could finally bring about peace between our families," She tries to explain, her voice attempting to quell my distress but it only shatters my heart into a million more pieces. I thought she would take my side on this...

"Who's idea was this? Yours or theirs? Hm? Tell me Papa...!" I unintentionally raise my voice at them, something I've never done despite how upset they may have made me in the past. But this? This is simply a whole new level.

"I am the one who suggested the idea and Don Verossi has agreed to hear me out. We have a meeting with them tomorrow to discuss things further." My father explains to me, being sure to look me in the eye as he explains. But his words don't help at all. Instead, more tears well in my eyes and I take another step away from my mother, making her stare at me with creased eyebrows, pain evident on her face. But that doesn't even come close to the way I'm feeling...

"You can't be serious! I won't!" I protest, my emotions overwhelming me completely.

How could they make such a horrible decision? For the longest time, I have done my best to be a good daughter. I have never caused them any trouble. I graduated university top of my class with flying colours. I kept to myself and didn't bring dishonour to our family. I've humbled myself. I've been the perfect child for them. And this is the way they choose to repay me? By making me marry an enemy?

There is absolutely no way I'm marrying a stranger. I haven't dated anyone in my life surprisingly, for of a number of reasons. I thought it would be best if I didn't drag them into this crazy life of mine, I didn't want to give my father the chance to kill them if they weren't good enough for me, or worse if they hurt me, and, I simply hasn't found anyone that's good enough for me...

Of course not having dated anyone also means means I'm a virgin, and it's something I'm completely unashamed of. I've always wished it would be something I would gift to whoever I marry... the person I love, and will be spending my entire life with...

Not a stranger.

Not Angelo Verossi.

My father's expression softens, but he remains resolute. "Isabella, we understand your feelings, but this is not a decision we've taken lightly. The Verossi family will make a powerful ally, and this union will secure our family's future. We are better off as allies, not enemies..." He tries to explain but honestly, nothing he says is making me feel better.

With tears now rolling down my cheeks freely, I finally decide to speak up for myself.

"I won't do it. I won't sacrifice my happiness for the sake of some alliance. I deserve to marry for love, not convenience," I tell them boldly, my body and voice still trembling as I try to keep myself from breaking down, but it seems inevitable at this point.

I shake my head, my frustration boiling over.

"This is my life, and I won't let you dictate it. I won't let you take away my right to choose my own path," I declare, and with that, I storm out of the study, leaving my parents stunned by my fierce determination. And I honestly can't blame them. But what do they expect?I've done everything they've asked, even when I didn't want to. But this? This is simply something I can not agree with...