THE BLIND WIFE OF THE MAFIA BOSS

The strains of blues music accompanied Valerie’s sorrow, echoing through the simple bedroom she occupied. In the middle of New York City, she lived only with her uncle and May, her uncle’s daughter. Both of her parents had been gone since she was just ten years old. ​Valerie's eyes no longer functioned as they should after a fateful accident that befell her three months ago. An accident where she never knew who the culprit was—and she had no intention of finding out. Since losing her sight, Valerie preferred listening to music filled with sadness. ​While she was lost in thought, enjoying the melody, a very soft voice suddenly shattered her reverie. ​"Valerie, why are you just staying quiet? Daddy has been calling you for a while now," she said gently. ​Valerie still did not answer. She felt strange about May's attitude. Ever since Valerie went blind, May had become arbitrary and harsh whenever no one else was around. ​"Uncle called me?" she replied. ​"Hmm, turns out you're not just blind, but you've lost your hearing too. Becoming more and more of a burden," her cousin murmured at the end of her sentence. ​Valerie smiled faintly. By now, she was used to this kind of treatment; the insults and all the harsh words from her cousin. If her cousin used to love her dearly, everything was different now because Valerie could no longer do anything to help support their financial needs. ​In addition, Valerie had experienced many changes in her life. She was increasingly subjected to rough treatment from May, often finding injuries on her body. This was always done when her uncle was not at home. ​Valerie's uncle loved her deeply—or at least, that was what Valerie knew. The affection he gave her was no different from that given to his own child. Her uncle was just an ordinary employee at the Romano family's company, holding no high position to rely on. ​Valerie got down from the small bed that was barely large enough for herself, then stepped her long legs onto the cold floor. Her hands fumbled around, searching for the cane that served as her guide. After finding it, only then did Valerie go out to meet her uncle. ​"Are you home, Uncle?" she asked in a soft voice, not forgetting to display her sweet smile. ​Her uncle, hearing Valerie's voice, immediately stood up and took his niece's hand. ​"Yes, are you alright? Uncle has something for you," her uncle replied just as softly, something that always made Valerie feel comfortable and safe. ​Her uncle guided her and asked her to sit on a worn-out single sofa. After making sure Valerie was sitting comfortably, Ares sat down beside her. ​"Valerie, may Uncle ask for something?" ​Valerie nodded her head. "Just say it, Uncle. As long as I can, I will give it," she replied. She felt there was something unusual about her uncle, whether this was something good or quite the opposite. ​"Valerie, you are indeed still young, and you haven't achieved your dreams yet. But with your current condition, it is highly impossible. Uncle also no longer has much money for your treatment. It's time for you to repay Uncle's kindness," he said while letting out a long sigh. ​"How about you get married and have a family of your own? With a condition like this, surely many young men would reject you. So, Uncle will arrange a marriage for you with someone who can accept all your flaws. And you cannot refuse it," Ares continued, informing her of the arranged marriage decision. ​Meanwhile, Valerie remained silent, processing every word from her uncle. Each sentence felt as though it was degrading her. Was this really her uncle? What had happened to make her uncle heartless enough to arrange this one-sided marriage? ​Then she also wondered, who would want to accept her unconditionally? It was highly impossible. With a condition that would always be a burden like this, there must be something her uncle was hiding. There was no way a man would sincerely want to marry her without wanting something in return. ​"Uncle, who would marry me in a condition like this?" she asked curiously. ​A long sigh was heard from her uncle. It seemed the old man also felt a heavy burden, but there was nothing else he could do. There was no way he would sacrifice his own biological daughter either. ​"Mr. Dante. Dante Romano, the eldest son of Mr. Gerald and Mrs. Celine," he answered, making Valerie's eyes widen completely. ​Valerie was deeply shocked. How could she not be? Who didn't know Dante Romano, a mafia boss known to be far more ruthless than Gerald. He was completely different from Noah, his amiable twin brother. ​If Gerald could still act warm, it was a different story for Dante, whom she often heard referred to as a man without a heart. And now, Valerie was to be arranged to marry that ruthless man. Heaven knew what would happen to her life later. ​"Uncle, why does it have to be Mr. Dante? I don't want to marry him, don't you know that..." ​"Valerie, you cannot refuse and you must accept it! Only Mr. Dante is willing to accept your condition. You should be grateful. Even though Mr. Dante is not like the gentle Mr. Noah, believe me, their family will accept you as you are," Ares replied in a firm tone, as if accepting no refusal at all. ​After a few days had passed, May accompanied Valerie to a gown fitting that would be used for the wedding later. Valerie just stood in silence without any enthusiasm, contemplating what would happen to her future. ​"What are you thinking about, Val? You should be happy that you're about to marry a handsome and wealthy man," said May, who was also busy choosing a gown for herself. ​"Are you happy, May? Because I'll be leaving the house?" ​May stopped her hands, then smiled sinisterly. "Of course Daddy and I will be happy. Besides you leaving the house, we will also get a lot of money," May replied, seemingly indifferent to Valerie's feelings. ​"What do you mean, May?" Valerie's face showed deep confusion. ​"Mrs. Celine originally came to propose to me for Mr. Dante. Of course I rejected it, because the one I want is Mr. Noah. Besides, Daddy also has a lot of debt at Mr. Dante's company. Like it or not, to settle it, he has to arrange a marriage for you, while also getting extra money." ​Valerie closed her eyes, feeling pierced upon hearing the reality spoken by May. Was her uncle really that cruel? Using her as a tool to settle his debt? Shouldn't May be the one to step forward since Mrs. Celine originally came to propose to May? ​Valerie finally resigned herself. Perhaps only through this marriage could she repay all of Ares's kindness for raising her since childhood. Whatever happened next, Valerie would accept it. Hadn't she already begun to grow accustomed to violence and insults? ​"You will be a source of money for me and Daddy. The dowry money given is twice the amount of Daddy's debt," May said, sounding extremely happy imagining the abundance of money. She would also use this opportunity to get closer to Noah Romano, the handsome and kind-hearted young CEO. ​To be continued...