Chapter 1

All my life I had wondered who I was going to marry, and when I would marry. I wondered if he would love me as much as I did him, I wondered how many children we would have. I never wondered if I would ever get an arranged marriage, and I never wondered what my own husband looked like the day I was to be getting married.

Deep down, I think I always knew I'd never get to choose who I was going to marry. Thanks to my father, of course. It was always about business with him, he didn't care about love or happiness, because for him, money was happiness. And the more, the better. You'd think this day in age my opinions and feelings would matter, but they didn't. I've always been loyal to my father, and to keep the family legacy, I am doing this. I have to do it.

'For a young woman like you Evelina, the business comes first,' I remember my father saying on my 18th birthday when he told me I was going to be married, 'you're own needs should come after. This is your legacy, and yourchildren's to come legacy. This is what people in our business do, marry others of power. Build an empire.'

Yes that was true. But if my husband didn't like me or didn't even want to be around me, he could do whatever he liked with other women, and even live in a separate house. It was different for us though, we had to make sure we kept up the expectations of being a good wife, mother, and supporter. We couldn't bring drama around.

College. I attended for a year when I was so adamant that I wasn't going to get married, and started a business degree. However, I soon realised that this had to be done. The Crane empire was a legacy to be passed down for many more generations, I couldn't let the thing that would provide for my children and theirs, suffer because of my stubbornness. So I decided to just go through with it.

I am now 19 years old, a year of planning and meetings, today was the day I married. My supposed to be husband was called Alessandro Lombardo, he too like my father, was CEO of an empire which was worth slightly more than what our family, the Crane's, was. However, a few months ago, he sadly died. I thought this meant that I wouldn't have to go through with it, but no. Instead, his brother stepped in, and now I will be marrying him instead.

I had not seen a photo of him, or even met him. For he had been residing in Italy, and only came over to New York for business, but he never had enough time to meet me. I suppose this made me all the more nervous. At least with Alessandro, I had met him a few times, and he was kind to me. I am unsure as to why I've never seen a photo of his brother, but all I know is that people refer to him as the Devil - or Diavolo in Italian - due to his business deals. My brother said it was literally like making a deal with the devil when you talked business with him. I knew all this, yet, I still didn't know his proper name. But I'm sure he knew everything about me.

Pushing my wondering thoughts to the back of my mind, I studied myself in the mirror. The wedding makeup team had spent hours preparing me, making me look more beautiful than I ever have before. In fact, I almost didn't recognise myself. My wedding dress was almost like a princess ball gown, however it was not so puffy. It was all white, off the shoulder, long sleeves made out of lace, with the bottom of my dress puffing out slightly. I also wore a veil, but it did not go over my face, instead it was sat on top of my head, stuck down by a pretty tiara my mother had used on her wedding. My dark brown hair was tied back into a low bun, with small diamond hair clips placed in different parts of it.

I was already feeling sick, it could have been because of nervousness, or because I was scared. I didn't know which one exactly, maybe both, but all I knew is that I was feeling sick. I also had a knot in my stomach that refused to go away no matter how many times I reassured myself I was fine and no matter how many times I tried to calm down.

"Darling, what's wrong? Do you not like your dress?"My mother asked.

I think my mother was just as nervous as I was. Just like me, she as well had an arranged marriage but to my father. However, they ended up falling in love with each other, and I just hoped that was the same for me. She was the only one I could really talk to about things, and I would really miss her once I had left. I was going to Sicily after my wedding, and not only just for my honeymoon. But to live there. Apparently, that's where my soon to be husband resides, and where his business is mostly situated.

"No, I love it. It truly is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen." I tried to smile wide, but failed.

She could see the nerves on my face.

"Everything will be okay," she told me and placed a warm hand on my cheek. "Your father wouldn't let you marry a horrible man. In fact, I have spoken to his mother already, and he seems lovely from what she has told me through her stories about him." She tried to sound happy and positive, but even so, I could still hear her own nervousness in her voice.

I begged my brother to tell me more about him, but it was like he was holding something back. In fact, it was like they was all keeping a secret from me. And that's what scared me the most.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and shortly after the wedding planner came in, holding a clipboard and had an earpiece on her ear.

"Miss Crane, it's time. The groom has arrived and everyone is in their seats. We need to get you in the car and to the church right away." She informed me.

I nodded and carefully made my way towards the car and headed off to the church, where I was greeted by my bridesmaids, my brother, and my father.

"Evelina, you look beautiful, sweetheart." My father said as he held his arms out and admired me in my dress. I could see his eyes glossing, which is hard to believe as I was forced into this. I gave him a shaky smile.

"Well, I wanted to make sure I cleaned up nice on my wedding day after all." My failed attempt at humour made me all the more nervous. I looked towards my brother, who was also staring with a smile on his face. He too, believed this was the right choice, as if anything happened to him after my father retired or died, I would be the one to take over our business, and he said that we needed a concrete support. And this, did it.

"My baby sister, getting married before me." He said as he also kissed my cheek and welcomed me into a hug, "I know this is not what you want, but it's a good thing for everyone. And who knows, maybe you'll even like this man. I must say, he's not an ugly man either." He whispered in my ear, and squeezed me a slight bit tighter.

"Thank you for the reassurance, Liam. That makes me feel a lot better." I sarcastically said. In truth, I couldn't care less how he looked, all I cared about was how he treated me. And being in the dark about that, really made me scared.

"Everyone, in their places. The music has started." The wedding planner said frantically. At least I wasn't the only one that was on edge today. I wonder if he was too.

I linked arms with my father, my brother linked arms with my mother, and the two of them headed in first, followed by my bridesmaids. Then it was finally time for us.

We walked steadily towards the door of the chapel. In true catholic tradition, there was two cushions at the front of the church where we would take communion, and the priest was standing in the middle, his arms placed in front of him.

But then there was also the man I'd be marrying. He was tall, very tall in fact. He also had brown hair that was slicked back, neatly. Though, I could only see the back of him as he never turned around. He had 4 men by his side, all of them had beautiful olive skin, and well tailored suits. You could tell they came from money. Heck, everyone in this church came from money.

"Let's get married." I whispered to my father, as the music played on the organ suddenly became louder and more dramatic. Everyone's heads turned to me, they all stared and smiled, some gasping, and I heard one woman say how beautiful I looked. I was never one for attention, so this, made my heart beat uncontrollably. One of the men that was stood next to the groom looked at me closely, smirked, then caught the attention of the groom and nodded happily. Yet, he still didn't turn his head.

I was at the end of the aisle now, and given one last kiss on the cheek by my father, and placed next to my husband to be. I turned to look at his face, and let's just say Liam was right. If I had knots in my stomach before, now I suddenly had butterflies.

I had never seen him at one of the events my family held, neither in the news. He truly was a stranger to me. As well as being tall, he had broad shoulders, olive skin, long eyelashes, a perfectly shaped Roman nose, and plump pink lips. He really was a beautiful man.

He still hadn't looked at me, but that was okay. Because I think if he did, my knees would turn even more jelly-like.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the sign of God – and in the face of this company – to join together Giovanni Davide Lombardo, and Evelina Marie Crane, in holy matrimony." The priest began the service, and everyone sat and listened.

Giovanni.

I repeated his name in my head as the priest spoke some more.

The ceremony consisted of hymns, readings, mass, communion, blessings, and finally we were on to exchanging vows and rings. My father and Giovanni went out to pick the rings themselves, it is true in saying I really had no part in planning this wedding. I only decided on what dress I wanted, and who I wanted to be there - my mother probably influenced these decisions though.

"Giovanni, do you take Evelina for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" The priest spoke, as he looked at us both.

"I do." Giovanni simply stated.

"Evelina, do you take Giovanni for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." I said.

The priest acknowledges that we have both declared our consent to be married, he prays for God's blessing on us and our marriage, and then tells us it's time for the ring exchange.

One of his groomsmen handed him a black, satin box and he opened it to take out my ring. It was beautiful, and definitely expensive. It looked like an around 4 carat diamond, which was roundly shaped, placed on a gold band with smaller diamonds encrusted all around it. Needless to say, I loved it.

placing the wedding ring on my ring finger, he spoke confidently and looked into my eyes. "Evelina, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." If you didn't think he was Italian already, now you could tell he was. He had an accent, and a deep raspy voice. But you could also tell he was fluent in English as he didn't pronounce one word wrong. He placed the ring on my finger gently, even though I was shaking. The priest turned to me and told me to say the same words.

I too placed his golden ring on his ring finger, "Giovanni, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." His hands were so soft, but he also had a tattoo on his hand that covered everything but his fingers of a cross. I guess might be religious then. I looked into his eyes, and this time, he was staring right back at me. Pools of chocolate, gazed into my brown eyes, but I didn't see love in them. I actually couldn't make out what I saw, but it definitely wasn't love.

The priest held out his hands, "God bless you both and your marriage, you may now kiss the bride." Giovanni wasted no time, and placed a soft kiss on my lips, and kept them there for more than 10 seconds. During this time, the whole church erupted in cheers and claps, his groomsmen making the most noise. Weirdly, it made me happy.

I looked towards my side of the church, and my mother was stood there crying at the front, in the arms of another older lady. That must be his mother, because she was also sat at the front on his side, and she too was crying hysterically. At least our families got along.

"May you go in peace." The priest quietly said to us, gave us a warm smile and gestured towards the aisle where we was supposed to walk. Giovanni took my hand, and led me out of the church, but before we got to the end, he finally spoke to me, "you look beautiful, Evelina." His voice sent chills down my spine and I couldn't help but blush.

"You as well look nice." I replied, trying not to sound nervous, but he could already tell because he smirked and looked down at me.

"Smile for the photos."

He didn't seem too bad, right?

Hours later, everyone was still at the wedding reception. Luckily, I am glad everyone decided to keep the wedding a secret, because I didn't want to be dealing with cameras today.

"Are you not enjoying yourself?" A voice asked from behind. I jumped in surprise and saw my now husband. He came and stood beside me on a balcony at one of my fathers hotels where the reception was.

"I am. But I'm just tired." I replied.

"Come with me." Placing his glass of whiskey down, he took me by my waist and together we walked towards the grand hall, where everyone was happily enjoying themselves. I suppose it was nice seeing both our family and friends getting along. He and I walked to where my father, brother, mother, and some of his family were all talking, and cleared his throat.

"I think it's time my bride and I made our way back home now. It is getting late and I want her to rest." He confidently said looking at them all. My father smiled and nodded.

"Yes, it is getting late. But I just wanted to say, look after her, she is the most precious thing I know." My father said sadly, maybe he knew what he did was wrong. I looked at my mother and she was crying again, whilst Liam was stood leaning on the wall looking at a girl who was invited to the wedding. Typical Liam.

"Evelina, we will get to know each other more when I arrive back in Sicily, I am going to stay a few more days and do some shopping!" Carmela, Giovanni's mother, exclaimed and kissed my cheek whilst hugging me.

"I look forward to it." I smile back.

I said goodbye to everyone who I was close with, and finally it was time for the goodbye I dreaded most, my mother. She came up to me as my father talked to my husband some more.

"Everything will be fine," she said, "just remember what I told you."

Yes, I remember clearly what she said. 'All you have to do is be a good wife, who supports her husband unconditionally. That is the key to a good marriage, my Evelina.'

"Yes, I will," I replied, embracing her in a warm, tight hug. Us both now crying. "I best get going." I said quickly pulling away, because if I didn't go now, I don't think I'd ever be able to go.

The car was waiting outside. Giovanni had led the way, and opened the door of the Range Rover for me. I thanked him and got in, we were both still wearing our wedding clothes, but I guess I would have to change at the airport.

I looked behind me one last time, and saw my mother crying into my fathers chest, whilst he and Liam stood side by side, staring at us driving away.

'I'll miss you.' I thought, and turned back around, readying myself for my new life that awaited me.