Morning light falls on Avelina's face as she lays on the bed. The rain has since stopped but the sky outside was still grey.

The door opens as a maid walks in without knocking. She wore a black and white uniform and it was spotless. She walks closer to Avelina and whispers in her ears. "Signorina, You must prepare"

"Prepare for what?"

She does not say a word but instead lays a dress on the bed and slips out of the room before Avelina could say another word.

She soon gets up and took a bath, got dressed and came out of the room.

The Rossi mansion echo as guards stood at every turn. No one dares to meet her eyes.

The maid who brought her the dress leads her down a flight of stairs and into the dining room. Immediately she steps into the room all eyes falls on her.

Allesandro stands up to address his family.

"I have an announcement," he says, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "The feud between the Rossi and Moretti families is over. I am marrying Avelina Moretti."

Gasps. Mutters. Avelina feels every stare like a knife in her back. She doesn't flinch, but her fists clench so tightly she feels her nails bite her palms.

"This is not a negotiation," Allessandro continues. "I have made my decision already."

She forces herself to meet his gaze across the room. She sees the danger there, but also something else she can't name.

It doesn't matter. She will find a way out. Even if it kills her.

She goes back to her room and slips into a white dress. This represents purity but to her it felt like a death sentence.

The church smells of lilies and candle smoke, but Avelina feels none of its sanctity. She stands in a white dress heavy with lace, the veil framing a face set in stone. Her heart is steady, not from calm, but from determination - she will survive this, and then she will escape.

Allessandro stands opposite her, an image of control. His black suit fits like it was made to intimidate. As if he was mourning. He turn his face and his gaze meets hers and she somehow forgets to breathe.

Father Tomas clears his throat. "Let us begin."

Everywhere was silent. No extra guests and no music. Only the Rossi men lining the chapel in tailored suits, the other half of the pew with what's left of the Moretti loyalists, their eyes sharp, their mouths tight. No one smiles and a priest who was ready to flee. His eyes rest on her with unnerving steadiness, a dangerous fascination that feels more like a challenge than affection.

Avelina stands beside Allesandro. Her knees feels weak but she forces herself to stand. The priest begins to read the words from his journal.

Avelina does not hear most of it as her mind drifts back to her father and his broken promises.

His eyes rest on her with unnerving steadiness, a dangerous fascination that feels more like a challenge than affection.

The priest speaks words she doesn't hear.

"Do you, Allessandro Rossi, take Avelina Moretti..."

His answer is immediate. "I do."

Her throat tightens as the question comes to her. "Do you, Avelina Moretti..."

Her lips barely move. "I do."

The kiss is quick, mechanical, nothing more than a seal on a contract. Applause is muted, hesitant.

That evening, in the master bedroom of his estate, she stands by the window, still in the wedding dress, watching rain streak the glass. She refuses to look at the bed.

"You can relax," his voice says from behind her.

She turns, expecting to see him undressing. Instead, he is pouring himself a drink, not even glancing at her.

"I won't touch you tonight," he says.

Her breath catches - not from relief, but from confusion. "Afraid I'll stab you in your sleep?"

"Possibly," he says, sipping his whiskey. "But also because I don't take what isn't freely given."

She laughs coldly. "You married me without asking. Freely given doesn't exist between us."

His jaw tightens, but he doesn't look away. "Believe what you want. But there's more to your father's death than you think."

Her eyes flash. "You killed him in cold blood. That's all I need to know."

He sets the glass down. "One day, you'll see the truth."

"Don't count on it." She turns her back to him, vowing that if she can't kill him, she'll at least find a way to make him bleed inside like she does.

She sinks into the only chair in the room as the white dress flows down, her hand shaking. The ring shines bright on her finger, mocking her.

The rain has stopped and a thin ray of light comes through the window hitting the marble floor while avoiding Outside, the clouds begin to break.

A thin ray of light slips through the stained glass, landing on the marble floor beside me.

It doesn't reach my face.

She thinks of her father again, of the night he died, of the promise he made: No Rossi will ever touch my daughter.

He was wrong.

The Rossi's touch everything.

She presses her fingers against the ring until her finger hurts.

"I won't cry. Not in this house, Not in his presence." Avelina says under her breathe.

She stood up and walks towards the window. Watches as the light stretches over the city of Florence. Somewhere in between people lived freely. They loved and laughed how they wished but that was not the case for Avelina.

She presses her hand against the cold glass window. Her life was not ordinary anymore. Maybe it was never ordinary.

She turns toward her hand as her gaze falls on the ring again. glance down at the ring again.

It shines beautifully, cruelly-like the man who placed it there.

A marriage built on revenge, sealed with silence.

A cage disguised as peace.

I whisper to the empty room, "You may have won today, Allessandro Rossi. But this war isn't over."

The light fades. The first shadows of evening crawl across the walls.

And I know the truth I didn't want to face:

The only way to survive him is to learn his world...

and one day, make it mine.

It was the morning after the wedding and the mansion is so quiet. Avelina wakes up from sleep to find herself on the bed still dressed and untouched.

"He didn't touch my last night, Good". She muttered under her breathe.

For a while she stares at the ceiling wondering why Allessandro had not put a bullet through her head to end her father's name. Before she could come to a conclusion a knock on the door broke her thoughts.

"Signora Rossi" The maid from yesterday calls.

"You can come in" She says flatly hating her new title.

The maid walks in holding a beautiful sage green dress. "The Don asked prepare and bring you down for breakfast." The maid says.

Avelina couldn't help but laugh. "The Don cares now?"

The maid's eyes darts towards the door nervously. "He... he says says you will need your strength later."

"For what?" Avelina asks.

She sighs and responds. "He'll explain at breakfast."

She was about to tell the made she was not going down for breakfast but the small of freshly baked bread and coffee drags her out of the bed. Her stomach begs for food even when she does not feel for it.

When she is done taking a shower and dressing up, she was led down the staircase again. The guards stands at each turn like statues without blinking their eyes. The world outside shines bright and looks too alive for the Rossi mansion.

The dining room looks different this morning.

Allessandro sits alone.

He sits at the end of the table sipping coffee and reading his papers and his phone placed besides his cup. He doesn't look up from his breakfast when Avelina walks in.

"Sit," he says simply.

Avelina takes her seat beside him trying to stay calm.

He finally lifts his head from his papers. "Hope you slept well?"

"I didn't have a good night." Avelina responds

"Good. It is not a big deal and you will get used to it."

He pours coffee in a cup and slides it towards Avelina. His movement seemed calculated and measured. As if he still anticipate war.

"I can't drink anything you offer me." Avelina says pushing the coffee back to him.

He smirks. "You really think i will kill my wife with poison?"

"You seem to forget you have done worse." Avelina fires back at him.

He pushed his chair closer to Avelina. "You seem to misunderstand my intentions , Avelina. If i really wanted you dead you would not be here but instead sharing a coffin with your father

Avelina clenches her jaws. "So what is it you want from me Allessandro?"

"I just need your cooperation."

"What for exactly?. You think marrying me will bring peace? Or this is just a show for your public image." Avelina asked.

"I married you for your survival." He responds quietly.

His words made her freeze in her chair.

Before she could respond Allessandro stands up and walks towards the glass window. He stares outside as the morning light shines across his face.

"Your father still has enemies. They will find ways to bring the Moretti name down. You are next in line and if you do not listen to me they will destroy us both without a second thought," He says calmly.

"Are you trying to say i am your partner in crime now...Is that why you killed my father so you can marry me? Avelina asked in tears.

Allessandro turns to face her with cold eyes. "This is not a partnership Avelina, this is our reality now. The sooner you accept it the better for everyone."

He moves closer to her. "My family has organized dinner for tonight and you are expected to be in attendance."

"I would not be in attendance to what ever party you or your family has planned." She spits back at him.

"This is not a negotiation. You are my wife and wives do as they are told and stand beside their husbands. So you must do so tonight.

She lifts her head to meet his eyes. "You can chain my up, Allessandro, but i know where my loyalty lies and it is definitely not with the Rossi clan.

He smiles at her. "Fortunately for me i do not require your loyalty tonight. Just your body."

Night soon came and the mansion glows with bright light.

Music cold be heard from the ballroom where the party was hosted.

The dress she was given was pretty. Suits her perfectly like gloves. It is a mauve coloured dress. It is too beautiful for someone in the state of mourning. She lifts her head and stares at her reflection in the mirror. She could not recognize herself anymore. She looks so slim and pale and had sacks under her eyes from too much crying.

Suddenly the knocks came.

"May i come in?" It is Allessandro.

"It is your house, You do not need my permission."

"Well tonight i need your permission." He says.

He opens the door slightly and steps inside. The scent of his perfume fills the room. Tailored in a black suit, his hair slicked back, he stood so tall and handsome. For a moment none of them speaks.

"You really do clean up well." he says breaking the silence.

"I was brought up properly. I need to always look presentable no matter the circumstance i find myself."

He could not help but twitch his jaws. "Well try not to act as a victim tonight. You are not in captivity."

"I am in captivity, and i am also a victim."

His eyes falls to the floor and back at Avelina. "You better stop acting like one."

He offers her his hands when they walk our of the room.

She hesitates but then takes it.

The ballroom is filled with unfamiliar faces when they arrive. The chatter stops and people murmur.

"Smile at them and play your part." Allessandro whispers into her ear

"I am doing just that." She says to him.

Allessandro walks towards the direction of his business partners with Avelina in his hands. He greets them, his voice calm and composed. He moves with so much composure that his associates fear him. Avelina stands by him, she is silent until they were approached by an older man.

"So this is your wife now?" The man says staring at her. "A Moretti bloodline in the Rossi clan." He says as he chuckles.

After a forceful conversation with the old man, he finally leaves. She turns her gaze at Allessandro and notices a smile on his face but before she can say a word the smile vanishes as quickly as it came.

The dinner drags until midnight. By the time it ends her cheeks aches with pain from forceful smiles.

Immediately the last guest leaves she feels a sense of relive. She walks towards the balcony, the cool night air falls on her skin. The streets of Florence shines below, more alive in ways the Rossi Mansion would ever be.

This voice calls behind her. "You did great today."

She doesn't turn. "I know this was a test too". I don't turn. "Did I pass your test?"

"It was not a test, i assure you." He speaks calmly.

"Everything with you is a test Allessandro." She replies.

"You did well and nobody suspected you were in bondage. That is progress" He says standing beside her.

"Even a blind man can see i am a victim here. Nothing is going to stop me from hating you." She says almost laughing.

"Hate is a good thing. It can be useful." He says with a smirk on his face

For a moment their eyes meet. Allessandro breaks first.

"It is late, You need rest."

"I will go to bed when i want." Avelina shoots at him.

He nods and leave without saying a word.

Avelina stands at the balcony alone. The cold night being her blanket of comfort.

The ring still shines bright on her finger.

She takes a deep breathe, closes her eyes to feel the wind on her face.

"This cage wouldn't hold me forever." She says below her breathe as the wind carries her words into the night.

AVELINA'S POV.

The Rossi mansion is never quiet, yet is looks and feels dead inside.

The morning after the dinner, staff moves around with their head bowed and their eyes fixed on the floor without daring to look at me.

The sounds of footsteps reminds me of my home. A home that I was stripped away from after my father's death.

I walk towards the window. The sun rises over Florence. The city was alive. I kept thinking of my father and his words telling me not to trust anybody that is not family.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. It is the same maid, with her gentle and nervous nature.

"The Don left for the city today, and he wants you to know he won't be back till evening." She says not daring to look at me.

"That is nice, I can finally breathe fresh air." I say in excitement.

"Can i go into every room in this house"? I asked with my eyes lighting up.

"You can't go into all the rooms in the mansion" She says after much hesitation.

I smiled at her faintly. "But that is exactly where I want to go into".

From the look on the maid's face I could tell she was terrified but she doesn't dare to question or stop me. After she leaves the room I slipped my shoes on and step into the hall.

___________________________________________________________________________

From the inside you could tell the mansion was bigger than it was outside. I walk past picture frames of past Rossi men hung up on the wall. I finally stumped upon a picture different from the rest. It was signed at the bottom ENZO ROSSI.

Allessandro's older brother.

My father was killed because he died. And he is the reason i am married to a monster.

I cleaned the dust off the frame with my dress. He had same eyes as Allessandro and i guess he is as tall too. But his smile seems softer.

I thought to myself: Did my father actually kill him? or that is what Allessandro wants me to believe.

Before i could think further, i heard voices from the other room.

"Are these the shipment we were expecting from Germany.?" A voice asked.

"Yes it is." Another replies.

"Take them to the basement. I will come handle it shortly." It was Emilio this time. Allessandro's right hand man.

I quickly close the door behind me and duck under the table. It was the Rossi's study. The shelf is covered with dust and i doubt if anybody has been in here in years.

Curiosity takes the best of me as i start to open the drawers and go through contents. It was filled with files and each of those files was labelled with numbers and names. A letter drops from out of one of the files i held. I pick it up to read the content.

The letter was handwritten by Enzo Rossi to my father. But i guess it was never delivered.

Don Marco,

We all know there would be no peace under one side surrenders. But when this war is over please promise me you will keep her out of our mess.

-E.R.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Why was Enzo writing to my father? Were they friends? Who was the "her"?

Before i could complete my thoughts, the door flings open and Allessandro stands at the doorway.

For a moment neither of us moves. His eyes turns to the opened drawers and then to the letter in my hand.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable."

"You had left the door open" I quickly say.

"Not for you to snoop through."

He slowly steps inside and close the door behind him. He was calm but i could tell his calmness was worse than anger.

"Can you tell me what it is you were looking for, Avelina.?

"I need answers because you are clearly hiding something from me." I responded.

"You shouldn't be in here." He says walking towards me.

"I know. But if you wanted an obedient wife then i am the wrong woman for you."

"I can see that now." He said.

He stretches his hands towards mine and takes back the letter. His fingers brushes mine. I could feel a spark that sent shivers down my spine.

"Where did you get this letter from.?" He demands staring into my soul.

"It fell out of one of the files from the drawer," I shoot back at him. "You didn't know you had to destroy everything that had to do with my father before marrying his daughter?"

He clenches his jaw. "You act like you know everything."

"I know enough to know you killed my father. And i also know my father didn't kill your brother, did he?"

He doesn't look at me.

The silence could be felt in the mansion.

My voice breaks. "Then who did it? Why was my father framed?" I asked demanding answers.

He looks up, staring into my eyes.

"Go to your room right now." He says backing orders at me.

"I wouldn't until you give me answers."

He walks slowly across the desk until he stands in front of me. "Disobedience will lead you to dangerous parts, Avelina."

"The day you took my father i stopped caring."

For a moment he doesn't say anything. "You should be careful and think things through."

He says leaving the room whilst slamming the door behind him.

___________________________________________________________________________

By nighttime i find it difficult to sleep.

The words on the letter still rings in my head.

We all know there would be no peace under one side surrenders. But when this war is over please promise me you will keep her out of our mess.

Who was he referring to?

I stand up and turn on the light.

I step out of the room, the guards bow without looking at my face. The mansion feels stuffy like someone was watching me.

I head downstairs where the maid lead me to a room and hands me a tray. "The Don ask i serve you dinner here today."

I thank her, still lost in thought. "Does the Don ever talk about his brother?" I asked.

She freezes in her place. " We do not speak of him."

"Why not.?" Now inquisitive.

"Because we do not want to remember." She says as she walks away.

_______________________________________________________________________

By afternoon the rain starts. The sky turns grey as thunder cracks over the city. I walk towards the hall, going over every portrait until i reach Enzo's.

Something felt different this time. There was a hidden compartment. I pulled the panel open and there was a faded photograph. Two boys and a girl standing side by side – Enzo, Allessandro and me. I could barely catch my breath.

I can barely remember this say but i should have been like four or five.

Enzo.

He was there and his hand is over my shoulder.

If they had known me then... they weren't my father's enemies after all.

The door creaks open and there he was standing. Allessandro.

His voice low. "You are making this a habit. Going into places you are not supposed to be seen in."

I turn to face him. "Why didn't you tell me you knew my father.? Your brother did too and also wrote him a later."

He slowly exhales. "You shouldn't have found out about this."

"But I found out."

"Avelina." He calls my name. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then you have to make me understand." I said staring at him.

"Searching for the truth wouldn't save you."

'I do not need your protection, Allessandro." I shoot back at him.

He walks towards me and takes my hand. "You are not ready for the truth Avelina. If you keep searching you will get hurt."

"Let go of my hand." I said pulling myself away from him.

"Not until you listen to me." He says still holding tight.

"I did not kill your father. But if you do not stop digging the people that kill him will come for you and this time they won't miss." He said finally letting go of me.

___________________________________________________________________________

Before laying on the bed at night, I hide the photo under my pillow.

The rain had stopped and the storm is calm but i wasn't as my inside begins to burn.

If Allessandro didn't kill my father then who did? Maybe another close rival.

For the first time since i came to the Rossi mansion i felt a sense of purpose – To look foor my father's killers.

I stand up from the bed and walk towards the window, watching the city of Florence glitter as the moon shines over it.

"I need to get to the bottom of this." I say in a whisper. "I need to know everything.