2. A Gloomy New Life
Chaos erupted. Amelia, who initially just wanted to have fun, suddenly had to face the reality that she was burdened with a debt because of her friend's actions. She couldn’t run away—especially not when towering men began to block her path and called for their boss.
"What's going on?" the man asked, his voice calm but menacing.
"Apologies, Mr. Devereaux. This woman tried to escape after losing her bet. " She owes a huge amount but denies it," the large man explained.
"I said I don’t owe anything! " I only played briefly; there must be some mistake," Amelia protested.
"How much does she owe?" the intimidating man asked.
"$100,000, sir. I'm sure she can't pay it back."
"What? That much? How is that possible? Wait—this must be a mistake. My friend! Claire! " She set me up!" Amelia began to realize that Claire had tricked her.
"A setup? A friend? You still trust your friend and let her use your betting account? " You're truly foolish," the man said with a sly smile.
Amelia's heart raced. The man before her was clearly no ordinary person. There was something overwhelmingly intimidating about him.
"I am Luca Devereaux," the man introduced himself in an icy tone. "And you, miss, have created a major problem in my establishment."
Amelia tried to explain. "This must be a mistake. I didn’t place such a large bet. I don’t know how this massive loan appeared! It must be my friend’s doing. " Please give me a chance to find her!" she pleaded.
Luca tilted his head, his gaze piercing as if he could see into her soul. "Mistake or not, the numbers here don’t lie. You owe $100,000. How do you plan to pay for it?"
"A hundred thousand?! " That’s absurd! " I don’t have that kind of money," Amelia exclaimed, her voice nearly breaking.
Luca gave a thin smile, but it offered no comfort. "That’s your problem, not mine." He stood from his chair, approaching Amelia with slow, deliberate steps.
Luca observed Amelia. The black dress hugging her figure made her look quite captivating.
"You there! " What’s the consequence for guests who can’t pay their debts?" Luca asked his men.
"Eliminated!" one of them shouted.
"No! " I still want to live! " I’ll work hard to pay off my debt, sir. " But please, don’t harm me," Amelia begged desperately.
"What’s your profession?"
Amelia froze. She had been nothing more than a wife. After Nathan divorced her, she hadn’t even received any compensation. Swallowing hard, Amelia finally answered.
"For now, I’m not working yet, but soon I’ll find a way to earn money and give it all to you!" Amelia replied.
Luca lowered his glasses, scrutinizing Amelia closely. He observed her for a moment before turning to his men.
"Is our prostitution business still hiring? " Give her a job there," Luca ordered.
"Prostitution? " No, sir! " Please, don’t put me there. " I’m just an ordinary woman. " I can’t serve sleazy men, and I certainly won’t make your business thrive if you employ me as an escort," Amelia pleaded desperately.
"Oh, really? And why is that?"
"I’m not attractive, I’m terrible in bed, and my husband just divorced me yesterday to be with another woman. The only things I can do are cooking and cleaning! " You can hire me as a maid—I’ll clean your house spotless and keep everything perfectly tidy," Amelia explained at length, her words spilling out in panic.
Luca’s eyes widened as he studied her, then he burst into laughter. Amelia swallowed hard, her body frozen in place. She couldn’t understand why the mafia boss was laughing so hard at her.
Luca stopped just in front of her, locking eyes with hers.
"You’re hilarious. That makes me even less inclined to let you go."
Amelia gulped, unable to comprehend the meaning behind his words, but one thing was clear—she wouldn’t escape him this time.
"So, all you can do is clean and cook, huh? That’s exactly why I’ll offer you an alternative."
"An alternative? What is it, sir?"
"A contract marriage. You marry me for one year, and your debt is cleared. During that time, you’ll do whatever I ask. No running away—if you try, you’re finished!" Luca said with a menacing grin.
Amelia was stunned. The offer was not just bizarre but terrifying. Entering into a contract marriage with a mafia boss was the worst scenario imaginable!
She felt her world collapsing around her. There was no way out, nothing she could do. With trembling hands, she finally answered:
"Fine."
Luca smiled, but this time the smile was laced with danger. "Good. From now on, you’re mine.
Amelia took a deep breath as she stepped into Luca’s grand mansion for the first time. Every step felt like a burden, her legs heavy, as if the ground beneath her feet no longer belonged to her. That very night, she had been brought here without carrying anything with her.
The house was too big, too luxurious, yet strangely unwelcoming. The high fences and tight security around the mansion gave an unsettling impression, as though she wasn’t a guest but a prisoner.
The sky had darkened when she arrived, and the only sounds in the long hallway were the echoing footsteps of the guards. Amelia remained silent, following without protest. What else could she do? Her life was now firmly in Luca’s grasp, the man who had turned her world upside down in an instant.
In the expansive dining room, she was greeted by Luca’s piercing gaze. Dressed impeccably in a black suit, he exuded an air of cold authority. There was no smile, no warmth—just a commanding presence that left no room for dissent.
“This is the agreement,” he said, placing a white envelope on the table before her. Sign it and call me your husband if anyone asks. No questions, no further discussion.”
Amelia stared nervously at the envelope. With trembling hands, she opened it and read each line carefully. The agreement required her to play the role of Luca’s wife for a year. She was forbidden from questioning his motives or terms. Her only duty was to publicly acknowledge him as her husband when necessary.
Her heart pounded, her body heavy with exhaustion. What will happen next? What was she supposed to do? The questions swirled endlessly in her mind, but no answers came. Amelia knew she had no choice but to comply.
Luca’s sharp eyes watched her intently, as if weighing whether she would obey his command. With shaky hands, Amelia signed the document. The moment the pen touched the paper, it felt as though she had sealed her fate in an unbreakable contract. She was now officially Luca’s wife—without love, without hope.
Her first day as Luca’s wife began in a way she could never have imagined. After signing the agreement, Luca led her to the master bedroom—a vast, opulent space adorned with lavish furniture and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Yet, despite its grandeur, Amelia felt completely out of place.
“This is our room. " You and I, together,” Luca declared.