The Mafia's Innocent Bride

Wedding night

Maximo's POV.

I never imagined my life would change overnight. Just a day ago, I was a content single man, and now I found myself married to a girl I never wanted.

And if that weren't enough, my parents actually expected me to consummate the marriage. They prepared the room for the wedding night without consulting me. Scented candles and flowers adorned the space. It would have been romantic, but only for a couple truly in love and willing to be intimate. I saw how frightened Rosa was as she entered the room and saw the setup. She trembled like a dry leaf. What was I supposed to do with a girl like her? I couldn't stay with her in that room. So, I promptly left and headed straight to my office.

I worked on pending and upcoming projects throughout the night until I eventually dozed off on the office couch. I just hoped Rosa hadn't informed anyone that I wasn't home last night. If my father found out, I would be subjected to a lengthy lecture about responsibility and marriage all over again.

Curse my luck. My father deliberately included a prenuptial agreement stating that I couldn't seek a divorce in the worst or most unusual situations. I was bound to this marriage unless Rosa initiated a divorce.

So, it appeared that I was destined to spend the entirety of my life either sleeping in my office or in my study.

I arrived home late in the afternoon when everyone was engrossed in their work and headed straight to my study. I had been attempting to concentrate on my tasks since morning, and the papers were still strewn across my desk, awaiting my review before signing. A knock sounded at the door. Perhaps the coffee I had ordered a few minutes ago had arrived.

"Bring it," I instructed without seeking further details. It was common knowledge that I preferred not to be disturbed while working in my study.

"Umm... Maximo?" My attention snapped towards the soft voice, and I noticed Rosa standing there, her fingers fidgeting and her feet shifting nervously. She appeared uneasy.

This girl was remarkably clumsy. She couldn't even stand properly.

However, I chose not to respond. The audacity of this girl only served to worsen my mood. Here she was, interrupting me while I was diligently working. I disregarded her presence and kept my focus on the papers, beginning to read them.

"Th... thank you for the car and the card. However, I don't require a bank account or a credit card. I'm not accustomed to having them," she stammered in a nervous voice.

She couldn't even talk properly before me.

Believe it or not, unfortunately, she was now Mrs. Rosa Maximo Leonardi, and I couldn't send my wife in an old and used car. She needed to change her lifestyle. I wanted her to go shopping and have makeovers. This way, at least, she could resemble a Leonardi's daughter-in-law.

She stood in silence for a while, and I didn't respond. I hoped she would leave me alone. "Umnn... can I ask you something?" She muttered hesitantly. What did she want now? "I heard some of my classmates saying that you... you killed the boy who harassed me in high school. Umm... is it true?" She whispered. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself. She certainly knew how to push me toward losing control. I didn't want to be rude to her here, and she seemed to be attempting to provoke the worst in me. And then it would end up being my fault. Yes, I remembered that day when she was crying and her clothes were torn. She was scared and trembling uncontrollably. Vincenzo had beaten up the boy who tried to assault her. No one had the right to force themselves upon a girl. If it were any other girl, I would have done the same. I might be a player, but I never coerced myself upon or sexually harassed a girl. I had never been with a woman without her consent. However, I wasn't obligated to answer my newly wedded wife. "They said you scared every guy in my school to stay away from me?!" She accused me once again.

I had to do it. This girl was so foolish, and I grew frustrated seeing her constantly stumbling into trouble. So, I threatened the guys to stay away from her. They used to bully her and make crude remarks about her. She was so oblivious that she didn't grasp the guys' intentions. One day, I overheard one of the boys in Rosa's class planning to sleep with her just to win a bet with his friends. He mocked Rosa and claimed she was promiscuous and would willingly get involved with that jerk. He hurled insults at her, and I couldn't bear to hear it. On that day, I beat him up mercilessly. Only I could torment her, and no one else. Since then, no boys in her school, not even in college, were permitted to talk to her. However, it wasn't necessary for Rosa to know everything. I kept up the act as though she wasn't there. Then, I rose from my desk and slipped away into the back of the room amidst the bookshelves. After a few minutes, I heard footsteps, and the door opened and closed. I craned my neck to peek from behind the bookshelf and let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the trouble had left me in peace. Yes, trouble! That's the name I had saved her number under in my phone. Now, I could work in peace. Or so I assumed. I sent the servant to fetch some of my belongings from my room so I could stay in the study.

***************************

Rosa's POV.

I couldn't believe he completely ignored me. I thought he had changed. I don't know what I was thinking when I went to meet him. I was talking to him, and he acted as if I never existed. Just like always, he avoided me, not even glancing my way. He was rude and arrogant; it was clear he would never change.

God! I was trapped in this marriage with him. How would I spend my entire life like this, without even attempting to communicate and give this marriage a chance?

I swallowed the lump of insult lodged in my throat and left his study. I went to my room and started preparing for tomorrow's assignment. My phone began ringing. I ignored it because I was focused on studying. Eventually, it stopped. However, when it buzzed again, I set aside my notebook and answered the call. An unknown number appeared on the screen.

"Yes, who's this?" I asked, furrowing my brows. "Rosa, my dear!" A man's affectionate voice came through, "I'm your father." What?

"I'm sorry, but you've dialed the wrong number," I told him and was about to end the call. But the voice persisted, "Wait, my darling. Talk to me. You are my daughter. You are my Rosa. I am your father, Adam Nikolai."

Adam Nikolai?!

I had never heard this name before.

"Listen, sir! How can I believe that you are telling the truth?" I protested.

"You have to meet me, and I will explain and provide you with proof that I am your father," he assured.

"I am sorry, sir. But I'm telling you, this seems like some misunderstanding," I said curtly and disconnected the call.

My heart was pounding loudly in my chest. What if it was true and he was actually my father? However, it's possible that people wanted to take advantage of my new position as Mrs. Leonardi.

It could be a fake call, or maybe someone was playing a prank on me. Why didn't he come forward before I married Maximo? So, it might be a fraudster, and I blocked the number and set the phone aside.

There was a knock on the door.

I opened the door to find a servant standing there.

"Mr. Leonardi has instructed me to bring his clothes and accessories," he informed me before I could ask anything.

"Okay," I allowed him to enter.

I watched as he gathered Maximo's clothes, watches, belts, ties, wallets, and toiletries. Perfumes and other items were also collected.

Half of the room emptied after a while. But why did he have to take his things? After all, this was his room. If he had mentioned it, I would have shifted to another room.

Though his behavior at the dining table was normal, he didn't talk to me or even look at me.

He didn't come to sleep in his bedroom that night, which was fine by me. Sharing a bed with him after his cold behavior would have been awkward.

The next day went by smoothly, and I received my new car. Well, only Maximo knew why he gave it to me. I used my new car to go to college and returned in the evening. After dinner, when I was about to sleep, a servant came and informed me that Xavier wanted to see me. So, I went to his study. Mia was already there, and Maximo arrived shortly after me.

"I heard Maximo is living in his study. What's going on?" Xavier asked sternly, his gaze shifting between Maximo and me.

I looked at Maximo. He stood there with a scowl on his handsome face.

"Dad, everything happened so fast. We need time to adjust to our new life," Max surprisingly replied.

"I understand. Everything happened all of a sudden. You both need time and privacy to get to know each other better. However, being comfortable here might be challenging. A house full of people doesn't offer much privacy for a newly wedded couple. That's why we've planned and booked a suite for your wedding night," Mia informed us with a smile, her cheeks slightly flushed.

My eyebrows shot up upon hearing her words.

"Wedding night?! A hotel suite?! What the hell is this now?" Max scowled loudly as he yelled.

"Max, we expect you to provide Rosa with everything a lawful wife deserves. You two are not strangers; you're already well-acquainted. So, let me be direct and not beat around the bush any longer. We desire an heir within a year," Mia declared.

What? An heir? My mind went blank.

"In a year? That's not possible, Mom," Maximo dismissed his mother's statement and abruptly turned to his right, avoiding eye contact with me. He was furious, breathing heavily, and clenching his jaw.

"Why isn't it possible? You're married and healthy. You're capable of giving us an heir. Fine, let it happen naturally. But we urge you both to start a family very soon. We're not getting any younger, Max. We want to see our grandchildren before we pass away," Mia insisted, looking at Max with pleading eyes.

Maximo huffed and threw his hands up in defeat, shaking his head. "I can't believe it, Mom. You're emotionally blackmailing us," Max sighed in frustration. "Trust me, son. I only want to see both of you happy," Mia replied to Max before turning towards me. "Mariya will be looking after the arrangements. If you both have any special requirements, feel free to let her know," Mia smiled warmly and held my hand. "I can't wait to see my grandchild, Rosa," her eyes shone with hope as she spoke with anticipation. "So, both of you make yourselves free tomorrow," Xavier instructed authoritatively. Tomorrow? My heart was already pounding with fear. A wedding night with Maximo?! That was a lethal combination, and I was certain that nothing would happen between Max and me, even if we were locked in a room. He didn't consider me worthy of him. But how could I convey this to Mia? She appeared so happy, and I was obligated to play along with this 'pretending to be happily married' charade as per Maximo's rules.