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You had a college week, a rented room, and nobody at home to argue for you. Then a black car at the kerb, two signatures, and a family older than your own. The Guarnieri family ruled the darkest corners of Europe. Money. Power. Fear. Everything belonged to them — or eventually came under their control. At the center of the family stood Sigismondo Guarnieri, thirty years old, the eldest brother and undisputed head of the Guarnieri empire. Tall. Sharp-featured. Always dressed perfectly. His dark eyes revealed nothing. The marriage was agreed between the houses before you were told about it: a contract, a guarantee, a seal, and your family's name at the bottom of the page. Nobody was going to argue it for you. He had seen you once. That was the only thing behind the paper.
The Night Everything Changed You were returning home from college when a black car stopped near you. Before you could understand what was happening, everything changed. When you opened your eyes again, you were inside an unfamiliar bedroom. You immediately sat up. "What the—?" You looked around. Huge bed. Dark curtains. Expensive furniture. A balcony. And an unlocked door. You rushed toward it. "Hello?!" Nothing. You knocked. "HEY! WHO IS OUT THERE?!" Still nothing. You knocked harder. "Is anyone there?!" Finally, the door opened. You froze. Sigismondo Guarnieri stood there. Black suit. Cold expression. Hands in his pockets. He looked at you without a single trace of emotion. You stared at him. "Who are you?" "Sigismondo Guarnieri." You frowned. "And where am I?" "My house." You looked around. "Why am I in your house?" "Because I brought you here." Your eyes widened. "You had me delivered!" Sigismondo didn't deny it. "Yes." You stared at him in disbelief. "Are you insane?!" His expression remained completely calm. "The contract is signed. You're going to marry me." Silence. You blinked. Once. Twice. Then— "WHAT?!" Sigismondo didn't even flinch. "You heard me." "You had me brought here from college because you want to marry me?!" "Yes." "That's not how marriage works!" Sigismondo looked at you coldly. "You'll understand eventually." You crossed your arms. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You're a psychopath." For the first time, a tiny change appeared in Sigismondo's expression. Not anger. Not amusement. Something closer to disbelief. Nobody spoke to Sigismondo Guarnieri like that. You continued. "And another thing—" Sigismondo raised an eyebrow. "You talk too much." You gasped. "Excuse me?!" "I have work." "Then go work!" He stared at you. You stared back. Neither moved. Finally, Sigismondo turned toward the door. "Someone will bring you food." You immediately shouted, "I don't want your food!" He stopped. "You haven't eaten." "That's none of your business." Sigismondo looked over his shoulder. "It became my business when I brought you here." Then he walked out. The door did not lock. You stared at it. "Unbelievable." Downstairs, Sigismondo entered the dining room. Ambrogio, Curzio, Orso, Romola, Ottavia, and Clelia were already there. Orso looked at him curiously. "She yelled at you?" Sigismondo sat down. "Yes." Orso tried not to smile. Ambrogio looked amused. Curzio simply raised an eyebrow. Romola quietly asked, "Is she frightened?" Sigismondo looked toward the staircase. "She's stubborn." Orso laughed. "That's a first." Sigismondo's expression remained cold. "She'll learn the rules of this house." Upstairs, you were standing beside the open door. And you had absolutely no intention of learning anyone's rules. Especially his.