Chapter 1 How It All Began

• Chapter One
• Daniella's POV
• (How It All Began)
• “Why? Why do I need to marry a man that everybody knows how dangerous he is?”
• “Daniella, stop this nonsense right now and go downstairs and say hello to mister D’Angelo while Alba and I pack up your stuff.” Mother snapped at me.
• My eyes skimmed across my room. Boxes upon boxes. All my belongings have been packed up and made ready for my departure with Luciano D’Angelo, tomorrow after our wedding.
• “What you're doing isn't fair, mother! Do you actually care about my feelings? I don't want to marry that monster—”
• The sharp crack of a palm connecting to a cheek was heard in the room as my face whipped to the left. “You ungrateful child! Luciano De Angelo has been nothing but kind and generous to us. He trained your brother, Emilio in school and now Emilio works for him and can afford a comfortable life for himself. Rafael works under him as well and is one of his most trusted men. Your sister, Arianna can afford to study fashion and designing at that prestigious school because of him.”
• “Your father works for him in his company as well, have you forgotten? And this house? Well, let's just say that if he were to turn his back on us, we would be living on the streets.” Her tone turned sharp and icy, “Now what have you done for your family? Nothing! You had one task! Just one.” She held up her finger, “Be his wife. Bear his children. As simple as that. But being the selfish girl you are, you refuse!” Mother poked her index finger on my forehead causing more tears to spill from my eyes.
• “But we never asked for his kindness! I never asked for anything from him.” I contested.
• A look of shock crossed mother's face before the sting of her harsh word registered, “You are such a disgrace, Daniella Moretti.”
• “But at least I am being the only reasonable person here! He might be a killer! A thief! An abuser! The list goes on and on, mother!” My voice rose octaves higher. “He will kill me!”
• “Will you be quiet, you silly girl.” She scolded me before looking at the door of my bedroom, “He might hear your insulting words with all that shouting. Mr D’Angelo can never kill you because deep down I know he's a good man.”
• “So he is more important to you than I am?”
• “Having Luciano D’Angelo as my son-in-law is more important than anything.”
• I didn't know what to feel or say. The man in question, Luciano De Angelo, is not like every other man.
• He is a billionaire businessman and the country's most eligible bachelor. I had met him once when I went to deliver some documents to my father at the office.
• He was intimidating to say the least. He towered above me standing at an impressive height of over six feet. His jet black hair was neatly styled and gelled back, away from his face.
• He was handsome. Very handsome if I'm being completely honest.
• Onyx eyes. A straight nose. A sharp jawline and perfect pink lips. What was the point of being that handsome if your attitude was shit?
• His physical attractiveness didn't appeal to me and that is why I stand by my word, I don't want to marry him.
• “Then you marry him, mother.” I spoke the cruelest words I could muster. “Because I would never sacrifice my life at the alter of your ambitions!”
• The impact of the slap this time around didn’t come as a shock as I already anticipated it. But it didn’t hurt any less. “Then you leave him no choice but to kill your father.” Mother announced.
• “What are you talking about?” My eyes looked to Alba, our cook and former nanny for any clues as to what mother was rambling on about but she kept her eyes to the ground.
• Alba would never lie to me.
• “A large sum of money went missing under your father's watch, Daniella. He swore that he never took the money but I know better. He loves to gamble so I'm sure he must have spent the larger part of it trying to hit the jackpot.”
• I tried to put things together, “So, I am what he wants in exchange for father's life?” I slowly said,
• “Unfortunately, yes. It's a win-win situation for us at the end of the day. Your child will inherit everything he owns. I'd say that things turned out well for us regardless of how it happened.”
• “And I'm supposed to be okay with this?”
• “Exactly. That's the point. It's not like he just wanted you in exchange for a hundred million dollars, your father had to offer you to him. We all know we don't have a hundred million dollars lying around in our savings” She shrugged nonchalantly, “If your father does not provide the exchange he promised then there's going to be trouble and it's not going to be pleasant for any of us.”
• “I can't believe this.” I backed away in shock until the back of my knees hit the bed and I fell on my behind, “I can't believe that you two could be so cruel to gamble away my life and future.”
• “The earlier you stop being dramatic, the better for you.” She rose to her feet after packing up the last box, “Come on, let's go meet your husband. Now!”
• Her voice had me sprinting up from the bed, “Mother, please.” I clasped my hands together in a plea motion.
• “Stop being silly and move your ass, young lady!” I was half walked and half dragged into the living room where he was seated.
• The atmosphere was chilly. At first, I couldn't make out his face as only the back of his head was visible to me but as I rounded his seat, I came face to face with him.
• “Good afternoon, sir.” I greeted as mother had instructed.
• His expression didn't change as he sat rigid with both hands placed on both knees. Two unfriendly looking guards were standing behind him with their hands on their guns.
• “Sit.” He ordered.
• I slowly sunk into a seat very far from where he was currently occupying.
• “Leave us.” His eyes were on me but mother and father immediately got up and left.
• “Who did that to you?”