Elena’s P.O.V

The car comes to a halt in front of the chapel. “Miss Elena, we’re here”, Giovanni, [my father’s right-hand man] informs me. I looked up, still in a daze, still trying to understand if this is real or a dream.

I pinch myself, and yes, this is real life

. I take a deep breath in and gather myself. “Thank you, Gio,” I told him, opening my clutch bag and taking one more look at my eulogy. I put the paper back in my bag and open the door before Giovanni can rush to open it for me.

I walk towards the double doors of the chapel and fiddle with my mum’s necklace that my father had given to me on the day of my quinceanera.

I take another deep breath and push the double doors open.

As I walk in, every pair of eyes turns to my direction, but I ignore them and walk to the front of the chapel where the family of the deceased sits.

The Father began the funeral ceremony, and I drifted throughout the funeral ceremony, barely aware of time passing, until Ava, [my stepsister], nudged me. “Elena, it's time for you to give your eulogy,” Ava whispers.

Standing up and walking out of the pew and towards the altar, my eyes sweep over the faces before me, familiar and unfamiliar, all wearing remorse, pity, and sadness on their faces. I look back down at my eulogy and up again, noticing everyone’s eyes on me.

Then I start.

“We are gathered here today…” I recited the rest of the eulogy almost on autopilot, my eyes scanning the room.

“ Rest in peace, Dad. I miss you so much,” I whisper as tears gather in my eyes. I slid back into the pew, and the rest of the funeral ceremony moved in a blur.

;

;

The priest says his final words, bringing the ceremony to a close, and we all rise.

“You couldn’t even be early to your father’s funeral.” Anastasia—my stepmother- spits at me.

I turn to look at her, not having the energy to clap back and walk past her towards my car. Giovanni is already by the door, pulling it open for me, when I hear my name.

“Elena, I’m so sorry for your loss.” Jonathan—my father’s lawyer- tells me, his face remorseful.

“Thank you,” I reply, forcing a half-smile.

“You’re heading to the family house, right? For the will reading?” He reminds me.

I had completely forgotten.

“Oh—yes, I am, I’ll meet you there,” I tell him, entering the car, and letting Giovanni shut the door.

“To the family house, Miss?” Giovanni asks, and I nod.

;

;

The car comes to a halt in front of the family’s house. I look up, and memories of me running around crash at me all at once, making me reminisce about my father. I walk out the door and into the house, coming face to face with everyone.

“Mija, Happy birthday my darling. How are you doing?”Auntie Bianca—my father’s elder sister- asks remorsefully. I can see the sadness in her eyes, she and my dad were not always on the best of terms, but I can tell she’s sad that he’s gone.

“I’m okay, Auntie, thank you”, I reply.

The living room is too quiet. Jonathan adjusts his glasses at the head of the table, a thick brown folder resting in his hands.

“Since we’re all here, we can start the will reading,” Jonathan starts, “Elena”, he says gently, “This is the last will and testament of Lorenzo Moretti”. Jonathan clears his throat and begins to read.

“I, Lorenzo Moretti, being of sound mind and body, I hereby declare this as my final will and testament…”

His voice fades into the background as the words blur together.

“....to my wife, Anastasia Moretti, I leave the summer house in Capri and my yacht, as well as my boats.

Anastasia exhales softly.

“....to my brother, Vincent Moretti, I transfer my shares of our joint property, as well as my real estate assets.

“....to my daughter, Elena Moretti…”

My head lifts. Jonathan pauses briefly before continuing.

‘....I leave controlling shares of Moretti Holdings, effective immediately upon my death.”

“What?” Anastasia snaps, turning her head to look at me, then back at Jonathan. “That can’t be possible,” she spits, sending a glare my way.

Everyone turns to look at me.

"Silence, Silence please”, Jonathan tries to say, but the noise is too loud.

“Enough! Let Jonathan Finish.” Uncle Vincent—My father’s brother shouts. Then the room goes still. “You may continue Jonathan,” he adds.

“There are…additional conditions attached to this inheritance,” he says

I don’t like the sound of that. Why do I feel like my world is about to shatter into a million pieces?

“What conditions?” Anastasia demands sharply.

Jonathan ignores her and keeps his eyes fixed on the documents.

“In order for Elena Moretti to retain controlling shares of Moretti Holdings…”

My heart begins to beat rapidly.

“....she must enter into a legally binding marriage within ninety days of the will being read.”

The room erupts. Everyone is talking over each other. “You can’t be serious,” Anastasia snaps, half-rising from her seat.

But I can't hear anything. My ears are ringing. Marriage?

Jonathan continues, his voice calm and merciless.

“The intended groom has already been selected.”

A slow, unfamiliar dread crawls up my spine, already regretting the words about to come out of Jonathan’s mouth.

“Per the wishes of the deceased”….Jonathan adjusts his glasses,”...the groom is Sebastian Russo”.