Chapter 5 Who Is Marco's Father?

Aria’s POV Aria woke with a start, her head pounding as though a hammer was striking against her skull. She groaned, burying her face into the silk pillow. “Oh God, why does my head ache so much?” she muttered, her voice hoarse. The memories from the night before trickled back, slowly at first, then in vivid flashes that made her body stiffen. That kiss. Those hands. The way he touched her like he owned her. The fire he ignited in her from his fingers… The orgasm she had from just his fingers. Her hand flew to her chest as the realization hit her. She had done something reckless, something unforgettable. The door creaked open and Fiona stepped in with a small tray in her hands. “Aria, you’re awake.” She placed the tea on the nightstand and gave her a concerned look. “Here, drink this. It might help with the hangover.” But Aria barely heard her. She sat up slowly, wrapping the blanket tighter around her bare shoulders, her expression one of utter disbelief. “I kissed a man last night,” she whispered, as if saying it aloud would make it more real. “I don’t even know who he is, Fiona. I let him touch me.” Fiona’s eyes widened slightly, then softened as she sat beside her. “It’s okay—” “No, it’s not!” Aria cut her off, her voice trembling. “I barely knew who the man was, yet I let him… I let him get intimate with me. What kind of woman does that make me?” “You were drunk, Aria. You weren’t thinking straight. It was a mistake.” Aria stood, pacing the room in frustration. “He kissed me like he knew me. Like he owned me. And I....I didn’t stop him.” "I feel so....... cheap." She stared at her reflection in the mirror, disgusted. “Like a slut.” Fiona stood, placing a firm hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Aria, stop saying such things about yourself. Stop blaming yourself. Marco broke you, Aria. He humiliated you, and you’re still trying to pick up the pieces. This… this wasn’t your fault.” Aria’s expression darkened at the mention of Marco. Her fists clenched. “No, Fiona. This was his fault. He’s the reason I was drunk. He’s the reason I was vulnerable. He’s the reason I ended up in a stranger’s arms!” Her voice rose with each word. “Aria—” Fiona tried to speak, but Aria turned to her with a fiery determination in her eyes. “I’ll make him pay,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’ll make Marco regret ever betraying me. He thinks he’s won? He hasn’t seen anything yet.” Fiona raised a brow. “Okay… so what exactly do you plan to do?” Aria paused. Her next words came with chilling clarity. “I’m going to marry his father.” Fiona blinked. “Wait… what? You want to marry Mr. De Luca?” “Yes.” “You’re insane. You want to marry a man twice your age just to get back at Marco?” Aria shrugged, eyes blazing. “I don’t care. He ruined my life, and now I’ll ruin his.” Fiona grabbed both of Aria’s shoulders, trying to shake some sense into her. “Listen to yourself! You have a future, Aria! Don’t throw it all away because of a man who isn’t worth it!” Aria’s expression didn’t waver. “It’s not just revenge. It’s power. I’ll make sure he never forgets the mistake he made.” With that, she turned on her heel and stormed into the bathroom. Fiona sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples. “This girl is crazy…” Within minutes, Aria emerged, dressed in a tight black gown that clung to her curves like a second skin. It dipped dangerously low in the front, revealing just enough cleavage to make any man lose control. “You’re seriously going through with this?” Fiona asked, but Aria didn’t reply. Instead, she slipped on her heels, dabbed on a bold red lipstick, and walked out with a smirk. The De Luca mansion loomed before her like a modern-day fortress, tall, imposing, and shrouded in wealth and mystery. Its dark marble façade gleamed under the morning sun, and the iron gates stood tall, guarded by two men in black suits. Ivy crawled up one side of the stone wall, adding a touch of old-world charm to the otherwise sleek exterior. Aria's Pov I took a deep breath. Watch out, Marco. I’m coming for you. The guards recognized me immediately, Marco’s fiancée. They gave me a brief, confused look but stepped aside, allowing my entry. Inside, the mansion was quiet, eerily so. The floors were polished to a shine, and expensive artwork adorned the walls. Every step echoed in the vast hallway, her heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor. With every step i took, flashes of Marco’s betrayal came back, how i found him in bed with another woman on our engagement day. The fact that he didn't even try to come after me. The way he destroyed me. I shoved the memories aside. As i turned a corner, i spotted a maid carrying a tray of drinks. I stopped her. “Where is Mr. Damian De Luca’s room?” i asked. The maid blinked, startled, then pointed toward the east wing. “First door on the left, ma’am.” I gave a curt nod and headed in that direction. My heart pounded in her chest, but my face remained composed. I stood before the door, my hand raised to knock, then hesitated. What if he turns me away? What if he kills me? He's a Mafia Don, I'm sure he has killed so many people before. I pushed the doubts aside. I raised her hand to knock when a deep, commanding voice from inside said, “Come in.” I froze. That voice. My heart skipped a beat. It was deep, masculine… familiar. Why does this voice sound so familiar? A chill ran down my spine. Who is he...? My fingers hovered on the doorknob as the truth trembled just out of reach.