A Bride Chosen by Fate

My father was the most feared Don in all of Sicelia.

He ran every illicit arms deal and casino in the underworld, his name alone sent shivers through the Mafia world.

He worried that, as his only heir, I might fall for the wrong man.

So he ordered every family to send a representative, and I would choose my marriage partner by lot.

I drew Bernardo Vito, heir of the Vito family.

It was an arranged marriage, but I still wanted to meet him in person.

To keep up appearances before the evening banquet, I stopped by a haute couture boutique.

The moment I stepped inside, my eyes landed on a deep crimson velvet gown.

Just as I reached for it, a sharp voice pierced the air.

"I want that dress she's holding. Wrap it up for me."

Before I could even react, a clerk snatched it from my hands.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm.

"I saw this dress first, and I was ready to pay. Is this how you treat your customers?"

The woman laughed, as if I had just told the world's funniest joke.

Her gaze roamed me with contempt, and she sneered:

"This dress is worth five million dollars. A country bumpkin like you can only look.

"Me? I am Bernardo Vito's favorite assistant. In this city, nothing I want is ever taken from me!"

I could not help but laugh.

Bernardo Vito? The very man I had drawn in the marriage lot?

I pulled out my phone and dialed.

"Bernardo, your favorite assistant just stole the dress I had my eye on. What are you going to do about it?"

Dad always boasted about Bernardo Vito's sharp efficiency, even though he had not officially taken the reins yet.

However, if he could not cough up a good explanation today, I would be off the hook for that arranged marriage, and they would find someone else to take his place.

When I got through to Bernardo on the phone, though, I was met with nothing but a chilly tone. "Who's this? Liliana's business isn't something for strangers like you to meddle with. You're out of line."

Before I could even spit out my name, he cut the call short. The dial tone mocked me, and I could not help but snort with laughter.

Liliana's boldness suddenly made sense. She had a heavyweight in her corner.

Liliana's lips twisted into a sneer. "Putting on airs, are we? I wonder what sleazy moves you pulled to snag Bernardo's number. Dreaming of rubbing elbows with him? You're a fool." Her eyes raked over me, pausing with disdain on my attire. "And this getup? The Vito family's maids are better dressed than you."

I have always gone for comfort over flash, so my wardrobe's pretty basic. However, to save my family's face, I was ready to splurge on a designer dress for the evening.

I stood tall, swallowing the fire in my chest. "Judging someone by their clothes is as low as it gets. You might want to ditch that attitude, or it'll come back to bite you."

She was just a small-time success, not worth another breath of argument. I pulled out a sleek black card and handed it to the cashier to pay for my dress.

The cashier looked like a deer in headlights, caught between Liliana and me, too scared to make a move. "Miss, I'm just a regular employee. I can't step on Ms. Conti's toes."

Liliana's laughter grew wilder, her eyes gleaming with madness:

"This place? It's Vito's family turf. Today, you won't be able to do a thing without my say-so, not even offload a measly screw!"

She yanked the black card from my grip and flung it out the door.

"Strutting around with that fancy card, thinking you're something? I'm no fool. Get lost, now!"

I was the apple of my father's eye, spoiled rotten for years, and nobody ever dared to throw such shade my way.

A hot, seething rage bubbled up in my chest.

I grabbed Liliana's arm in a vice-like grip, hauling her to the storefront, and demanded in an icy tone: "Pick up my card!"

The shop staff stared, their faces a mix of shock and awe.

"Holy smokes! She's got guts, talking to Ms. Conti like that."

"Ms. Conti is Mr. Vito's darling. Cross her, and he'll mince you up for the harbor sharks!"

Some onlookers tried to reason with me:

"Miss, you don't want to mess with the Vito family over a dress. Not even God could help you then."

"In Newvale City, crossing the Vito family is a no-go. They're too powerful. Better let Ms. Conti go."

"Just say you're sorry to Ms. Conti, beg her pardon, and maybe you'll get off easy."

Liliana wrenched free, her arrogance undiminished.

"Listen up, you lowlife! Grovel and apologize now, and maybe, just maybe, I'll let this slide.

"Otherwise, you'll regret it!"