Chapter 2
1206 Words
"Valerie, do you feel nervous?" Ares asked with a smile. Valerie looked so beautiful in the simple dress May had chosen for her.
Valerie shook her head. "I feel more afraid, Uncle. I'm afraid Mr. Dante won't be able to accept a disabled woman like me," she whispered.
Ares took a long deep breath. In truth, he himself wasn't sure if Dante Romano, the mafia boss, would accept Valerie with her disability, especially since that man's life was always surrounded by beautiful girls.
"I'm sorry, Val. I can no longer cancel this arranged marriage, and I have no other choice but to accept it. May herself refused, and I couldn't force her. Mrs. Celine doesn't mind your condition either," her uncle said, gently reaching for Valerie's hands and holding them.
Valerie could no longer answer; she just remained silent. Moreover, May had already told her that she was only being used to pay off debts. Resigned and accepting her fate, Valerie forced a heavy, visibly strained smile.
"It's alright, Uncle. I will try. I just hope Mr. Dante is as you said, that he doesn't mind my condition," Valerie said, trying to hold back her tears.
"Thank you, Val. Now get ready, someone will pick you up shortly for the wedding." Valerie nodded slowly again.
May pulled Valerie's hand, leading her out of the room. The time had come; they had to go to the venue prepared by the Romano family.
"Are you ready? If so, let's leave now."
Ares took over to support Valerie as they got into the car. It was a brand-new car her uncle had received as a result of Valerie and Dante's arranged marriage. Valerie's heart ached; just for luxury, her uncle was heartless enough to sacrifice her. If only Valerie weren't blind, she wouldn't have minded, but her circumstances were different.
After a while, they arrived at the lavish wedding venue. Their arrival was warmly welcomed by the Romano family, especially Celine and Gerald. Neither of them minded Valerie's condition; on the contrary, they felt pity for the girl.
"Valerie? Is this Valerie?" Celine asked, her face lighting up with happiness.
Ares nodded his head. "That's correct, Ma'am, this is my niece, Valerie. And now I hand her over to Mr. Dante," he answered, glancing toward Dante, who looked indifferent and aloof.
"Oh my, Dante, look at your bride-to-be, she is so beautiful," Celine said, lightly tugging her son's suit jacket.
"Hmm," Dante hummed, then grabbed Valerie's hand. He gripped it so tightly that she winced, and then Dante led her to the altar for the wedding ritual.
Dante performed everything according to the wedding protocols. After reciting the wedding vows, he did not forget to put on the wedding ring and kiss Valerie.
The two received congratulations from the extended Romano family, and it was Mr. Romano who appeared the happiest to see his eldest grandson get married.
"Val, now you are officially a part of the Romano family. You are my first daughter-in-law. From now on, call me Daddy. I am the Daddy of Dante, your husband. Starting today, you will live with that insolent boy, make him behave," said the handsome man, even though he was no longer young. He also preferred Valerie over May.
Just by looking at her face, Gerald already knew that his daughter-in-law was a good woman, just like his wife.
"Alright, Daddy," Valerie replied. She didn't show her nervousness at all. She was truly a good actress.
"Enough, let's go home. Don't talk too long with this old man, your mind will get messy and cause me trouble," Dante said. Although he was only joking with his father, his voice carried a cold tone.
Gerald's eyes widened. "What an insolent ch—"
"That's enough Dante, take your wife home immediately, and treat her well. Mommy will beat you up if anything happens to Valerie," Celine interrupted, throwing a threat at her son.
"Hmm," Dante muttered. Despite being a ruthless mafia boss, he still respected Celine as his mother.
Valerie was lost in her own thoughts until the car suddenly stopped; she didn't even know where they were. The sound of the door next to her opening echoed, after which she accidentally overheard painful words from the man who was now her husband.
"Kimmy, take that blind woman to the greenhouse in the back forest. I don't want to see her wandering around my mansion. Only bring her back to the main house when my mother visits."
"Yes, Sir. I will take Madam to the greenhouse in the back forest," Kimmy replied. She felt sorry for Valerie; why did she have to marry a man as cruel as her master.
"One more thing, Kimmy, don't call her Madam. I refuse to have a blind wife. The Madam you serve is not someone like her," he asserted. Kimmy did not reply; she merely bowed her head, as did the other bodyguards.
Meanwhile, Valerie, hearing everything, actually felt quite relieved. At least she wouldn't have to sacrifice her body to serve Dante, even though his words were deeply painful.
"Miss, my name is Kimmy, please come with me," the woman named Kimmy said softly. Just from her voice, Valerie could estimate that the woman was around her own age.
"Hmm, my name is Valerie, don't be too formal when speaking with me," Valerie replied while walking behind the woman. Not knowing where their destination was, they had already walked quite a distance.
"Alright Miss, we have arrived. Let's go inside, I will explain this house to you," Kimmy said, guiding Valerie once again.
Valerie simply followed without objection until Kimmy explained every corner of the room. The house with glass walls might have looked incredibly beautiful to the naked eye, but unfortunately, she couldn't see.
"Do not leave this house without an escort, as it will be very dangerous," Kimmy warned.
"What do you mean?"
Kimmy let out a long sigh. She had no idea what her master meant by placing his own wife in a greenhouse located in the middle of the forest behind the mansion. Especially since this forest was heavily inhabited by wild animals kept as Dante's pets.
"There are many of Mr. Dante's wild pets here; it will be very dangerous if you go out alone. Besides, right next to this house is a very deep cliff," Kimmy answered.
Valerie nodded her head again. This was no different from being a prisoner. Kimmy had explained everything in detail until Valerie understood what lay to the right and left of the house. Apart from the cliff, there was also a lake, a flower garden, and other beautiful scenery.
As for her daily meals, Kimmy would deliver them according to Dante's approval. "Miss, you can rest for now. I will come back to deliver your dinner later," Kimmy said.
"Hmm, thank you," Valerie replied. Although there was a kitchen in the house, she did not dare use it yet.
To be continued...
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