chapter six

Ricardo's POV:

 We finally pulled up to my dad's sprawling property, and as we parked in front of the grand mansion, I took a deep breath. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled about being here; it wasn't my idea to come. But my dad had insisted, and after a bit of back-and-forth, I had agreed to stay for the week with my wife, Lily. The thought of spending an entire week in such a lavish setting filled me with mixed emotions, and I couldn't help but think about the long drive back to our own home, which felt like it was worlds away.

 As soon as the car came to a stop, I swung open the door and stepped out, eager to stretch my legs and shake off the long journey. Without waiting for Lily, I made my way to the front door, beckoning her to follow. The moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted; a small crowd of family members and close friends were eagerly awaiting our arrival, their conversations halting as they turned to greet us.

 Feeling a surge of warmth, I approached my dad, who stood proudly among the guests. Without hesitation, I leaned down and kissed his hand—a gesture of respect and love. His face lit up with pride, and I could see the twinkle in his eye. He always had a way of making me feel like the center of the universe when I accomplished something or returned home.

 Then I turned to Lily, who was still standing a few steps behind me and encouraged her to greet my dad in the same way. She stepped forward, albeit a bit timidly, and kissed his hand. Yet, I could see the nervousness written all over her face; her hands trembled slightly as she faced the crowd that now had their eyes fixed on her. With a shaky voice, she managed to introduce herself, "H.. H.. Hell...o, I am L.. illy Lopez."

 Just as her words hung in the air, my goofy stepbrother erupted into laughter, his loud guffaw ringing out, which only seemed to amplify Lily's anxiety. I quickly shot him a warning glare, hoping to calm the atmosphere and reassure my wife that everything was okay.

 In that moment, overwhelming anger surged through me, and I felt an intense urge to lash out, to hurt him, right then and there. But somehow, I managed to restrain myself, taking a deep breath and trying to regain my composure. As I wrestled with my emotions, my dad stepped in, breaking the tension with his steady voice looked at her. "From now on, you are Lily del Romano," he announced a hint of warmth in his tone. "Welcome to our family..." he continued

 Casting a warm glow over the gathering, he stood up with a serious expression that commanded everyone's attention. With a slight cough to clear his throat, he gestured for me to come closer. The room fell silent, all eyes on him, anticipation hanging in the air.

 "Listen, everyone," he began, his voice steady yet laced with emotion. "I have something important to share with you all." Pausing for effect, he took a deep breath and continued, "I want you to know that Ricardo will be the next don of our family, the one who will take the reins of this great empire when I'm no longer here."

 Murmurs filled the room, a mixture of surprise and respect rippling through the assembled family members and loyal associates. It was a heavy weight to bear, but I straightened, feeling a surge of responsibility.

 Looking directly at me, he softened his tone, revealing a vulnerability beneath his commanding demeanor. "Since my time is limited," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "there's something I need to confirm with you, Ricardo..." His eyes glistened as he continued, "I want to see my grandchildren before I pass away."

 His words hung in the air, charged with the gravity of the moment. I could feel the collective breath of the room, the shared understanding of the importance of family and legacy, setting the stage for what lay ahead.

 I paused for a moment, completely taken aback by my father's unexpected declaration. My mind raced with disbelief. "What? Now he wants kids? Is this old dude losing it?" I thought to myself, grappling with the implications of his words. I had already navigated so much in our family dynamic, and it felt like there was no turning back now.

 Gathering my composure, I turned to my father and said earnestly, "Dad, I promise I'll give you an heir, but please, don't say you're leaving us." As those words left my lips, I instinctively pulled him into a tight embrace, hoping to convey both my commitment and my concern. His grip was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the swirling emotions in the room.

 When I pulled away, my eyes flicked to my mother, who stood by quietly. Her expression was a complex blend of disappointment and forced acceptance—though she managed a smile for me, I could tell that her heart was not in it. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her, feeling the tension in her frame as she held me back, her smile fading slightly as she masked her true feelings.

 Finally, my gaze wandered to Sarina and her children. The weight of my father's announcement hung heavily in the air, and though they wore smiles on their faces, I could see the disappointment lurking in their eyes. I was adept at reading emotions, even when they masked them well. The genuine happiness that usually fills family gatherings was absent, replaced by unspoken uncertainty and concern over what this all meant for the future. The moment felt heavy, but I was determined to navigate this new reality with everyone, as difficult as it might be.

 I politely excused myself from the conversation, feeling a gentle tug on my sleeve as I took Lily's hand. We walked together down the hallway. The familiar sound of our footsteps echoed softly against the walls, creating a comforting rhythm. When we finally reached my room, I turned the handle and pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges breaking the quiet of the house. Without a moment's hesitation, I closed the door behind us, shutting out the world and enveloping us in our own private space.

 I looked at her with a serious and angry face and told her "Look, you're now my wife and I'm your husband, but there are some rules to follow:

 First: don't speak unless I talk to you.

 Second: no prying into my business or my affair.

 Third: you'll satisfy my needs whenever and wherever no resist.

 Fourth: you'll cook and clean up because I don't like strangers touching my stuff.

 Fifth: never disrespect me, or you'll dig your own grave; and lastly, join me for events and parties when needed. Got it?

 I raised my voice a bit to make sure she got it, and I was waiting for her to cry or refuse, but to my surprise, she looked at me for a moment and then nodded her head, good! I love it when a woman obeys all my orders!