Chapter 3
1394 Words
"Exactly. And that’s what we’re going to do, Bella," Enzo answered. No expression. No hesitation.
My mouth fell open. I stared at him like he grew a second head. I couldn’t believe that was his answer.
"You’re... I... mean..." The words tangled in my throat. Nerves clawed up. Disbelief pinned me to the chair.
"What?" One dark eyebrow lifted. "Spit it out, Bella."
"You’re agreeing to marry me?" I forced it out. My voice sounded small. Foreign.
"Yes." Quick. Final. Like he was signing a contract, not a marriage certificate. "I don’t repeat myself."
I didn’t speak. I just stared. I searched his eyes for something. Pity. Doubt. Anything human.
There was nothing. Just black. Empty.
"This is what Uncle Franco wants," he said. Voice flat. "For us to get married, Bella. I will be your guardian. I will help you survive, and I will help you pay off your debts."
Annoyance flickered sharp under my skin. Help me survive.
I could survive on my own. I had to. It would just be far from the life I had before. Far from Dad’s kitchen smelling like garlic. Far from the sofa we picked together when I was ten. Far from the crack in my ceiling shaped like a star.
But survive I would.
"But Enzo..." I hesitated. The word marriage felt too big in my mouth. Too heavy. "We’re talking about marriage. You know what marriage is, right?"
"I know exactly what I’m getting into." His voice dropped. Cold. Controlled. Final. "I am marrying you, Bella. You will be your father’s payment for everything I spend to settle his debts. If I don’t agree with this, my conscience will kill me, knowing you’ll end up on the streets."
The word payment hit like a slap.
I couldn’t speak. I lowered my head. Stared at my hands in my lap. They were trembling again.
I couldn’t refuse either. If I said no, I’d end up on the streets. No house. No tuition. Nothing. And I couldn’t complain if my father paid me off to Enzo. The amount he’d spend for me wasn’t small. Millions, probably. Enough to buy a building.
Because of that, I kept my mouth shut. Because I had no way to pay my father’s debts. There is no way to keep the house. There is no way to stay in school.
"I will take care of all your father’s debts," Enzo continued. He spoke like he was reading terms and conditions. "Including the mortgaged house and lot. All you have to do is marry me and continue your studies. That’s it. One condition."
One condition. My life for a signature.
I had nothing to say. My thoughts scattered. I wanted to refuse. I was eighteen. Still in college. I'm still dreaming about normal things. Coffee with friends. Graduation. A job after.
Marriage wasn’t supposed to be on that list.
But I couldn’t refuse. No one else would help me. Dad’s cousins borrowed from him for years and vanished when he died. The bank wanted money, not excuses.
My father made that letter because he knew. He knew Enzo was the only one left who could help when I was alone. Enzo De Silva. Wealthy businessman. My father knew exactly how rich he was. De Silva Company. Skyscrapers. Private jets.
Enzo wasn’t small-time. He wasn’t someone who lost sleep over bills.
Shame burned my cheeks hot. I was a burden. A debt he’d have to pay. The money he’d spend to clear my father’s name. The house and lot. Then he’d still have to take care of me. Feed me. House me.
I’d be a weight tied around his neck. A weight he didn’t ask for.
I bit my lip until I tasted blood and lowered my head further. I couldn’t look at Enzo. Too ashamed. Too exposed.
But I had no choice. None at all.
I knew Enzo didn’t like me. Even when he visited our house years ago, he never looked at me. Never spoke to me unless Dad forced it. He’d sit in the living room, checking his phone, while Dad offered him coffee he never drank.
Now, he fulfilled my father’s last request. No objections. No questions. He agreed right away.
That surprised me more than the marriage itself.
"Get ready," Enzo said. He stood. The chair scraped against the floor. Too loud. "In a few days, we’re getting married. I’m flying abroad for business tomorrow. I might be gone a while. I want us married before I leave. So, my lawyer can settle everything that needs to be paid. Clean slate."
He moved to leave. His suit jacket was perfect. Not one wrinkle.
I lifted my face. Looked at him. The man standing before me would be my husband in days. Maybe less.
Enzo De Silva. My stern stepbrother. The boy who ignored me at family gatherings. My husband.
"Enzo..." My voice came out soft. Broken.
He paused. Half-turned. "Why?" Calm. Eyes on mine. Only our eyes spoke in that silent room.
"Won’t anyone be upset? Your... girlfriend?" I asked. Brave, even as my voice shook. Because the thought of another woman in this burned my throat.
He smirked. Not a full smile. Just one corner of his mouth. "I don’t do relationships, Bella. I can get any woman I want without committing. Without paperwork."
I swallowed. Of course. With his jawline and his bank account, women threw themselves at him. One glance from those dark eyes, and they’d follow him anywhere. No questions asked.
"What about you, Bella Ramos? Do you have a boyfriend?"
I shook my head fast. Too fast. "No. I’ve never had a boyfriend before."
"As in never?" He wanted to be sure. His eyes narrowed slightly.
I lowered my head. Heat crept up my neck. It shouldn’t be embarrassing. "Never. There were guys who courted me in high school. I just... didn’t like any of them."
My voice trembled on the last word. Pathetic.
A crooked smile touched his lips. Brief. Gone just as fast. I couldn’t tell if he was laughing at me. At eighteen and still single. At being too picky. Or something else entirely.
"That’s good," he said. "At least no one will come after you. No complications."
I nodded. No complications. Right. Just a marriage of debt.
"Anyway, thank you," I said. Serious. I meant it even if it hurt. "Thank you for doing this."
Enzo stepped closer. His shoes clicked against the wooden floor. I looked up at his face. Sharp jaw. Dark eyes. Too close. Too much.
"Bella," he said. My name is in his deep voice.
The hairs on my neck stood up. A strange current rolled through me at just my name on his tongue. Like he owned it now.
He held my chin between two fingers. Light touch. Barely there. But my whole body reacted. Hairs rising. Breath catching. Skin burning where he touched.
"I am a businessman, Bella," he said. Voice low. "I don’t spend money if I won’t get anything in return. I don’t make deals that don’t benefit me."
I frowned. Confusion cut through the fear. "What do you mean?"
"You’ll find out after the wedding," he answered. Then he let go. His fingers dropped like I burned him.
"I have to go. Things to take care of. Don’t worry, I’ll still be staying at VincElla Hotel until we’re married. My lawyer will contact you about the papers."
He turned his back. Straight spine. Perfect posture. Like this was just another meeting ending.
I just watched him. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think past the noise in my head.
Was this real? Was Enzo De Silva going to be my husband? The man who never noticed me at family dinners? My stern stepbrother? Was this my new life now that Dad was gone?
I bit my lip until it hurt. Still couldn’t believe it. Dad and Enzo’s mother just died weeks apart. Enzo still had a father. Siblings. A company to run.I had no one. Dad was all I had, and he left me too. Left me with debt and a letter.
Now I’d be Enzo De Silva’s wife.
Mrs. Enzo De Silva. In just a few days. Maybe less.
The thought made my stomach drop. My name. His name. On a marriage certificate. Bound together by debt and a dead man’s wish.
- Writer
