“Thirty minutes,” Alessia said, glancing at the wristwatch attached to her before turning toward Seraphina.

“We’ve been on the road for thirty minutes, and you haven’t said more than five words, Calysta.”

Calysta kept her eyes on the passing scenery. “Stop counting, can you? It's so annoying.

Alessia rolled her eyes. “I’m sitting beside the bride on her way to an arranged marriage. Of course I have to make sure you’re still on your right mind to do the thing you were forced to.”

“I’m okay and…" Her voice felt so unsure. "This is what I want.”

“You know I know that’s a lie.”

Calysta finally looked at her cousin. “You’re really irritating, did you know that?”

“Because you’re unusually quiet. That is why I know this isn’t what you want, silly. What do you expect? That I will turn blind eye into all of this even though I know you want to say something?”

A faint smile touched Calysta's lips, but it disappeared quickly. “What do you want me to say, Alessia?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Complain. Panic. Tell me that you want to turn the car around or something.”

“And go where, huh?”

“Anywhere that isn’t the Vitale estate, which I know you also wanted.”

Calysta raised an eyebrow. “You do realize that there are three armed men in this car, two more vehicles behind us, and probably half of my father’s men surrounding the estate by now, right?"

“I know. I’m just saying that I can help you escape, if you want to.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m your girl here, Caly.”

Calysta leaned back against the seat. “No, thanks.” Even though she want that, it’s not even possible. She’s sure her father’s army and Marco along with it… will find her. If only someone will kidnap her.

Alessia stared at her. “You don’t want to escape? Not even a little?” she asked, trying to convince Calysta.

“Alessia, no.”

“You’re marrying Marco Vitale today. You’re telling me you don’t feel anything?”

“I do feel something.”

“What?”

“Indifference.” Then smiled bitterly.

“Girl, if you don’t like him, at least I could understand. If you loved him, I could understand that too. But why you’re sitting here like this is what you really want? I don't get it, really.”

Calysta looked down at the white fabric of her dress beneath her coat. “Isn’t that what I supposed to do? To accept it even though this isn't what I wanted?”

Alessia was quiet for a moment, speechless. Then she sighed. “You really believe that?”

“My father negotiated this marriage with Marco’s father. They discussed this already and I’m fairly certain love wasn’t mentioned once.” Calysta sighed. “But love is all I want when marrying a guy, Alessia.”

“And it scares you that you're going to marry a guy you don't love?”

Calysta nodded quietly. “But I know Marco. He’s kind, polite, respects me, and brave. I do met him in a lot of times and maybe… if it’s in different circumstances, I will fall for him. But this isn’t any different circumstances.”

Alessia folded her arms. “You don’t even know what kind of husband he’ll be.”

“But I know what kind of man he is.”

“That is not the same thing, Caly.”

“I know,” Calysta agreed. “But do I have any other choice?”

She looked down at her phone when it vibrated. A message from her father appeared on the screen saying…

“Are you okay, Caly?”

She stared at the message on her screen for several seconds before pressing the call button. She didn't want to hear her father's reassurance through a text. She needed to hear his voice.

“Papa.”

“Are you nervous?”

“I’m not nervous, papa.”

“You were never very good at lying to me, Caly.”

Calysta glanced toward Alessia, who was watching her carefully from the seat beside her.

She lowered her voice. “Everything is really ready?”

“Everything,” Matteo assured her. “But I guess the bride is the one who’s not ready.”

“Papa…”

His voice softened. “Sweetheart, listen to me. Today isn't just a wedding, you know that. This marriage will secure our future. The De Lucas and the Vitales will be stronger together, especially with the Morettis waiting for any opportunity to tear us apart.”

Calysta looked down at her hands. “Yes, papa. I understand why this marriage is necessary.”

“Are you sure you're okay with this, sweetheart?”

“Yes.” She paused. “But understanding everything happening now doesn't mean I can't be worried, papa.”

“I know.”

“Are you sure there won't be any problems?”

“There won't be. I assure you.”

“How can you be so sure that there won’t be any problem?”

“Because I am. You're protected. The Vitale estate will be heavily guarded, and our men will remain nearby. Marco knows exactly what is expected of him.”

Calysta frowned slightly. “And if something happens anyway?”

“There won't be.”

“Papa—”

“You're my daughter, Caly. Do you really think I would send you into that family without making sure you were safe?”

She didn't answer immediately.

Matteo continued, “Under the Vitales, you'll be protected. Their family has more than enough power to keep anyone from touching you.” Matteo sighed. “I know this isn't the kind of marriage you dreamed about, sweetheart.”

Calystsa's fingers tightened around her phone.

“But you're a De Luca,” he continued. “And I already told you that our name demands sacrifices, right?”

“I know, Papa.”

“I need you to trust me today.”

She closed her eyes briefly before answering. “I do.”

“Good. Then don't let fear ruin what we've spent years building.”

Calysta looked toward the road ahead.“I'll do my part, papa”

“I know you will.”

She hesitated before asking one last question. “And what if I need you?”

“Then call me. No matter what time it is, no matter where I am. Call me.”

A small smile appeared on Calysta's lips. “Thank you, Papa.”

“Be careful, Caly.”

“I will.”

And when the call ended, Calysta lowered her phone slowly.

She wanted to believe his father but there’s a part of her that doubt everything especially when it’s about safety.

Her father had never failed to protect her. Even when she was young, he had surrounded her with guards and refused to let her travel without protection. His enemies knew that hurting Calysta would be the fastest way to provoke Matteo De Luca. So she’s never contented with her father saying she’s safe. Because their enemies would probably target her.

She placed the phone inside her purse.

"What did he say?" Allesia asked.

Calysta smiled bitterly. "Nothing. He just assured me that I am safe and nothing bad will happen."

Alessia smiled. "Then you have nothing to worry about."

Calysta looked outside again. "I hope you're right."

Moments after, the convoy suddenly slowed and Calysta notice that something is unusual.

She frowned. "What happened?"

Instead of answering her, one of the guards immediately touched his radio. "Why are we stopping?"

No one responded.

Alessia leaned forward, curious. "Is something wrong?"

The guard raised his hand. "Just stay down."

Before Calysta could ask why, a violent impact struck the side of their vehicle. She was thrown against the seat as the car shook. Then gunfire erupted outside.

"Get down!" The guards immediately drew their weapons.

Alessia grabbed Calysta and pulled her toward the floor.

More gunshots followed, that the windows of the vehicle behind them shattered.

Calysta's heart raced. "Who is attacking us? What is happening?"

One of the guards looked through the damaged window. Then his face immediately changed. "T-the Morettis!"

Calysta's blood ran cold.

The Morettis. The family her father had warned her about for years had ambushed her. This might be the first she’s going to encounter them so the fear in her chest grew even bigger. Because none of them know what’s going to happen.

"Call my father," Calysta ordered. “Hurry!”

"I'm trying, Ms.." The guard pulled out his phone, but the signal was gone.

Another explosion shook the vehicle.

"Stay down!" the guard shouted.

Calysta covered her head as bullets struck the armored exterior. She could hear her guards returning fire, but there were too many attackers.

"How many are there?" Calysta asked.

"A lot, Ms.."

A few seconds later, one of the guards suddenly fell against the side of the vehicle.

"He's been hit!"

Calysta stared at him in horror. "I-is he alive?"

Alessia checked his pulse. "He is, don’t worry."

The gunfire continued, until everything became quiet.

Calysta slowly lifted her head. "What happened?" she whispered.

The rear door opened and a man in a black suit stood outside. He looked completely calm, while there’s two armed men stood behind him.

One of their remaining guards immediately pointed his gun. "Step away from the vehicle."

The stranger looked at him. "Put the gun down," the man ordered.

The guard refused to draw his weapon.

The stranger sighed. "I don't want to kill anyone unnecessarily."

Then another man appeared from behind him and struck the guard unconscious.

That made Alessia screamed.