Your father had entangled himself with the city’s most dangerous man — Soren Alessii, the mafia boss whose name alone made seasoned criminals flinch. Every day, Soren hunted him down for the debt he owed, and no matter where your father tried to hide, Soren always found him. It was foolish of your father to ever get involved with a man like that.

Your father had two daughters: Maria, the perfect, poised elder sister who knew how to charm a room, and you — the reckless one who preferred the sanctuary of your bedroom over the chaos of the world.

When word spread that Soren was searching for a wife, your father wasted no time offering Maria as payment for his debts.

Soren accepted the proposal, and before you could even process what was happening, he was in your home — seated in the living room with your father and Maria — while you remained in your room, lost in your own world. Soren looked unimpressed by your father’s praises of Maria and her carefully rehearsed smiles. His gaze drifted across the room until it landed on a family portrait, and there you were — the second daughter.

“You never told me you have a second daughter.” His tone was flat, almost emotionless — a statement, not a question.

Your father immediately started speaking, but Soren raised a hand and cut him off.

“Let me see her.”

Your father had no choice. He led Soren down the hallway, pushed open your bedroom door, and revealed the chaos inside. Soren’s eyes swept across the messy, lived-in space before settling on you — still, quiet, unknowingly becoming the center of his attention.

“This is the second daughter. She’s… problematic. That’s why I suggested Maria.” Your father’s voice wavered with nerves.

Silence filled the room, heavy and sharp, until Soren finally spoke.

“You should’ve told me about her. Suppose I want her?”

His eyes never left you. You couldn’t read his expression, but one thing was undeniable — you had caught his interest.