Chapter 1 I Need a Bride

Claudia Nielson's POV: I carried the freshly baked apple pie to my father, Steven Nielson, and my so-called sister, Jenny Nielson. Apple pie was my specialty. I hoped they'd like it. About 18 years ago, two babies were switched at the hospital. Jenny, who was supposed to grow up in an orphanage, took my place and became the pampered youngest daughter of an affluent Sorrentine businessman in Eastmoore. Meanwhile, I ended up in the orphanage. Steven's men suddenly found me three months ago and brought me back to the Nielson family. My father, Steven Nielson, is the head of one of Eastmoore's prominent mafia families—the Nielsons. He's tall and imposing, with an aura of danger that screams mafia boss. He values obedience, and from the moment I stepped into this house, I knew better than to defy him. "I want 300,000 dollars. Not a penny less. Claudia's already 18; she can get married!" I froze at the doorway, trembling. The plate in my hands shattered on the floor. I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. Steven had sold my hand in marriage for 300,000 dollars. The noise I made caught their attention. Steven yanked the door open, his towering frame casting a shadow over me like a mountain. "You heard everything?" he asked, his face emotionless. Behind him stood Jenny, a smug smile playing on her lips. "No." I choked out, tears welling in my eyes. "I'm only 18. I'm still in school. How could you marry me off like this?" Had he brought me back into this family for this moment alone? "Every girl gets married someday," Steven said sternly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Our business has been hit hard. As my daughter, you should contribute to the family." To the traditional mafia, daughters, and wives are property—sacrifices to be made when necessary. Despite my fear of Steven, anger bubbled inside me, and I couldn't stop myself from protesting. "Jenny's 18 too! We're the same age. Why don't you make her get married?" Steven let out a cold laugh. "Do you think you're comparable to Jenny? She's smarter than you and better at everything. She's prettier, braver, and the daughter I raised with care." "But I'm your biological daughter!" I shouted, unwilling to back down. "Jenny is the one who was switched!" "Shut up!" Steven bellowed. "You're nothing but a disgraceful girl from the countryside!" Disappointment washed over me. Growing up in an orphanage, I longed for a family and love. But now that I'd found them, I was a stain on my father's honor. Jenny's expression was mocking, though she feigned concern. "Claudia, don't upset Dad. Just apologize to him already." "Jenny, don't defend her!" To Steven, Jenny—whom he had raised for 18 years—felt more like a true daughter than I ever could. I, the daughter he'd lost to the countryside, was timid and weak, a constant source of humiliation for him. He hated me for it. "Either you give me 300,000 dollars," Steven said coldly, "or you marry the man. Choose." I ran out of the house in tears. All I had ever wanted was my parents' love—a family to call my own. I had tried so hard to please them, hoping they'd accept me, but this was what I got in return. I wandered down the street, kicking at pebbles as I walked, my heart heavy with the weight of Steven's cruel words. Suddenly, a massive force hit me from behind, sending me sprawling to the ground. A man landed on top of me, nearly knocking the air out of my lungs. "Don't let him get away!" "How is he still running with an injured leg? Catch him!" "Go after him!" The man's voice was low and hoarse, his breath warm against my ear. "Help me, and I'll give you 15 million dollars." I hesitated, about to push the man's hand away. "Total of 15 million dollars?" If I had that kind of money, I could give Steven the 300,000 he needed to cover the family's losses and wouldn't have to be sold off into marriage. Gritting my teeth, I quickly hid the man behind a pile of cardboard boxes nearby. Dropping my backpack to the ground, I pretended to focus on my homework, acting like nothing had happened. "Hey, have you seen a man with a limp?" One of the black-suited men barked at me, his tone harsh. I tilted my head as though deep in thought before suddenly pointing in a random direction. "Oh, yeah. He went that way." "Move it!" Once they were out of sight, I hurried back to the boxes and dragged the man out. "Hey, wake up! Weren't you offering me 15 million dollars?" I held out my hand expectantly. But his face was flushed, and he was completely unconscious, no matter how loudly I shouted. After what felt like forever, I managed to haul him to a nearby hotel and into a room. "I'm exhausted!" I gasped, collapsing onto the floor. After dumping him unceremoniously onto the bed, I went to the bathroom, wet a towel, and started wiping his face. It was then I noticed just how strikingly handsome this man was. He looked to be in his early 30s, with sharp, well-defined features, a straight nose, and lips so perfectly shaped they seemed crafted by a master artist. Just as I was about to step back, his eyes flew open. Dark and piercing, his gaze locked onto me like a predator sizing up its prey. I flinched in shock. "Sir, about the 15 million dollars you promised... " Before I could finish, he grabbed my wrist. "Ah!" I barely had time to react before he murmured hoarsely, "Be good. Help me... and I'll marry you afterward." When he tore off my underwear beneath my dress, I realized too late what was about to happen. That night, the stranger completely ravaged me. I regretted everything. I thought I'd saved someone, but he turned out to be a monster. The next morning, I slowly sat up, clutching the blanket tightly around me. The man was gone. Grinding my teeth in frustration, I cursed him under my breath. Sc*m. If I ever saw him again, I'd make sure he regretted it. Just then, there was a polite knock at the door. Before I could answer, the door opened, and a man in a wheelchair rolled into the room. "It's you?" I froze, dumbfounded. He arched a brow, making a small gesture with his hand. Immediately, a group of maids streamed into the room. "Miss, please allow us to assist you." "Hey, what are you doing? Stop it!" Half an hour later, I stood in front of a mirror, completely transformed. My hair was carefully styled to cascade down my shoulders, my face was touched up with light makeup and a hint of lipstick, and I wore an elegant outfit straight from the latest Floravia fashion show. I barely recognized myself. The man in the wheelchair studied me like an artist admiring a newly polished sculpture. With a satisfied nod, he dismissed the maids. "I should introduce myself," he began calmly. "My name is Liam Townsend. About what happened last night—I owe you an apology. I was drugged and not in my right mind. What I did to you was unforgivable." I swallowed hard. "But... you said you'd give me 15 million dollars." "I will," Liam said, his tone steady. "But I have one condition." "What condition?" He met my eyes, his expression serious. "I need a bride."