chapter seven

Lilly's POV:

After what felt like an eternity of traveling, we finally arrived at a vast and impressive location. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, resembling a hidden city filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The sheer size of the place was overwhelming, and it made my heart race with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As we pulled up to a grand mansion that stood proudly among the sprawling grounds, I found myself wondering just whose residence this could be.

Without so much as a backward glance, my husband stepped out of the car and made his way toward the imposing entrance of the house, leaving me momentarily stunned in my seat. Gathering my courage, I followed him, my footsteps echoing in the stillness as I entered the mansion behind him. Once inside, I was taken aback by the sight before me. A group of around twenty people filled the spacious foyer, their expressions a blend of anticipation and curiosity, as if they had been waiting for our arrival.

My husband wasted no time; he approached an elderly man standing among the gathering and, with a gesture of deep respect, kissed his hand. It was a moment that struck me profoundly — *this must be his father*, I realized, my heart fluttering with a mix of anxiety and a desire to make a good impression. After a brief exchange, my husband turned to me with an encouraging nod and instructed me to do the same. My nerves felt like a tangled web in my stomach, but I complied, stepping forward to greet the old man. As I looked up into his kind eyes, I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me, amplifying my anxiety.

At that moment, I wished I could vanish from the scene, the urge to flee washing over me. But I knew that running away was not an option; I had to face this moment head-on and introduce myself properly. Taking a deep breath, I glanced around at the expectant faces and mustered all the poise I could. "Hi, I a..m L..illy Lop...pez," I stammered, my voice trembling slightly as I fought to keep my composure. Just as I finished, I caught the sound of a soft chuckle from the crowd, and a wave of embarrassment flooded over me.

Seeing my discomfort, his father, with a warm smile that seemed to ease the tension, addressed me directly. "From now on, you are Lilly del Romano. Welcome to our family, dear," he said, his voice filled with warmth and genuine affection. Relief washed over me as I realized that I was being embraced into this new family, despite my awkward introduction.

My husband, sensing my nervousness, took my hand gently but firmly, leading me upstairs to a private room. As we entered, I was struck by the beauty of the space. The room was adorned with an abundance of flowers, their vibrant colors brightening the luxurious decor that surrounded us. It felt like a dream, a sanctuary filled with elegance and tranquility, and for a moment, I allowed myself to breathe in the beauty of it all, pushing aside the earlier embarrassment as I began to imagine the new life that awaited me in this grand mansion.

I was drawn by the beauty of the room when suddenly my husband said "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? He said with an annoyed face

I was shocked because he wanted me to be a doll to play with until he got bored after that he may even throw me away somewhere, but do I have any chance other than to agree to it? So I nodded without saying anything and I saw that he was smirking which means that he liked my response.

After that he went towards the closest and changed his clothes and I was just standing in my place without moving because I don't know what to do after some time he came out and looked at me and lifted one eyebrow and said "I will go out don't go outside this room if anyone asks you don't answer them and don't just stand here like a dump child move your ass and go to the bathroom take a bath and change your clothes on the closet" he said nonstop and was waiting for me to answer, and then I nodded my head without looking at him, I was about to go to the bathroom but he stopped me by my wrist I was scared 'did I do something wrong?' I thought, but he said "When I ask you a question look at my eyes and answer, okay?" he asked angrily and I looked at him for a moment and then said "o..okay I g...get it" I said and I wanted him to let me go before I peed on myself because he looked so scary I couldn't look at his eyes anymore 'please someone help me' luckily he let go of my hand and closed his eyes for a moment and cursed loudly and then left the room I was relieved when he went out, I quickly run to the bathroom to take a shower as I went inside I was stunned by the beauty, I never had a private bathroom in my life at my father's house because I always washed my self in the maid's room which looked so shabby and dark without light and mirror but this bathroom is so beautiful I love it I was so excited like a child and wondering about everything in the bath and I didn't notice that I took more than half an hour at there because usually I took at least 15 to 20 minutes in the bath but it is different now I don't want to come out of it only if I could I would have spent all day in here but I can't.

Anyway, I dried myself with a towel went out of the bathroom, and headed toward the closet when I got near I saw so many men's clothes that looked so cool just like him 'What? what am I saying?' I blushed 'Stop Lilly, if my husband heard me he would be angry for sure' I thought and looked to the other side to find clothes to wear and I found them near the other side and when I looked at them I was memorized by those beautiful dresses they are all different from style to the color I didn't know which one should I wear because I don't know anything about style and fashion after a long time I managed to choose a beautiful pink dress that stands on my knees and hide my top since I don't want to be exposed because I don't feel comfortable in revealing clothes after I was done I went to the bed and sit on it and I didn't know when I feel asleep.....

I was sleeping when I heard someone calling me but I didn't wake up immediately because I wanted to sleep more but I got startled when I heard a voice that I was scared of the most "Wake up women I didn't leave you here to fall asleep " Ricardo said and I get up suddenly when he sees me he didn't say anything at first but then he said "come on let's go down to eat, remember the rules don't speak until spoken to, right? He asked and I understand what he means by that I looked at his eyes and said " y..yes l under...s..stand" I said and he said "Good let's go wifey, they are waiting for us," he said and took my hand softly and we left the room.

By the time we came downstairs everyone was sitting at the table it looked like they were waiting for us, unlike before there weren't so many people just six people were sitting at the dining table an old man (his father )two women, an girl and two boys one of them was older like my age but the other was small I think about 5 years old?

Anyway, we said hi and we sat on the chair and the maid put the dishes on the table we were waiting for Ricardo's dad to signal us to eat and he did we all started to eat.

I was eating when suddenly someone said "Oh Lilly, I couldn't great you properly earlier nice to meet you dear my name is Sarinah and I'm Recardo's stepmother this is my daughter Zara " she pointed to a girl "And this is my son Jack Zara's Twin " he pointed for a boy which was smirking at me " and this is my younger son Aro" she said with a smile and I don't know what to say 'should I respond? But what if Recardo gets angry?' I thought and I looked at his face to get a sign from him when I looked he shook his head 'What? Does it mean that I shouldn't say anything? Well, that will be better for me

then I looked at Sarinah and nodded my head with a smile and I saw anger in her eyes but she hid it with a smile,

and then on another side of the table, someone said "Forget about it Mom because if she responds to you we have to wait until tomorrow " he mocked me and it was Jack to be honest it hurt me but I am used to it it's not my first time to be humiliated I think it is normal, but after he said that I saw my husband's eyes get red from anger, all his muscle were hardened and his vain were popped out 'oh my God I am the one who got mocked why is he so angry? Does he care for me or it's because that I hold his name?' he opened his mouth to say something but his father said "that is enough Jack can't you behave just one time look at your brother and try to learn from him since the day he was born he never disappointed me but you.....never mind I don't want to talk about your childish behavior, try to become a responsible man not for me but for yourself, I can't even say I have a son named Jack because people are not believe me thay say how can a child like that be your son, don't you ever disrespect your brother especially now that he is a next don in the family, understand?" he said with a disappointed face and then Jack said " Yes dad i'm sorry I will never do that again and I will try my best to be a better man" he said with a smile but then his father said " let's see if you could ever do that, anyway Ricardo son let's go we have a problem to discuss " he said with a serious face and Ricardo said " okay dad let's go" he said with a smile and they both left

I don't know why but when he left I suddenly started to get anxious because I felt safe with him 'Now I am alone and no one is going to defend me' I tried to act normal and then after eating we all stood up to left for our room because the situation looked so awkward I was on my way to go to our room when suddenly a women called me " hey Lilly I want to talk to you come to my room " she said and I don't know who she is but I nodded and followed her towards her room when we got inside she unlocked the door and I got scared' what is she doing? does she try to hurt me?' I was thinking when she said don't be scared I lucked the door so that

Nobody comes inside while we are talking because in our house even the walls have ears" I don't know what she meant by that but her words made my nervousness go away a little bit, then she said "Come sit down there are some rules about this family and I want you to follow, first I am Ricardo's biological mother" she said and I was stunned 'wow like mother like son, they are so similar, I don't know why I didn't notes that she is his mother

after that I sit down in front of her and nodded for her to continue and then she said " as you see no one is happy about you for being in this family because of your father do you know what your father did?" she asked and I was confused 'what does she mean, I mean I know that my father is not a saint and I don't know about his work or business I just know that he is working with the mafia, but what does my dad did that thay hate me that much' I shake my head negatively and said " n....no, I d..don't know....w any...thing" I said honestly

And then she said "I thought so anyways never mind it is in the past now

I wanted to hate you for what your father did but I can't because I feel sorry for you, so don't expect anything from this family all you have to do is be obedient and do what your husband tells you if you want to be alive, and try to stay away from Sarinah and her children, " she said with emotions in her face she was about to cry but she holds back her tears and then she said " don't try anything stupid never betray our family, especially your husband because if you do he is going to kill you and no one is going to stop him, so you better be careful with your every word and step, just focus on your husband and try to make him happy okay?" she said with a serious face

"Do you understand? " she asked and I quickly said " y...yes ma'am...m " I said and she looked at me and then said "Call me mom from now on it's awkward to call me by that" When she said that I got emotional and I don't know when I started crying I tried not to cry but when she said call me mom I couldn't hold my self

She noticed and said "Hey what is wrong? Are you okay?" she asked concerned

And with my blurry vision from crying, I said " y...yes, I am s. sorry I j..just rem..membered my mom b... because sh...she is d..died that..t's why" I said and she embraced me and said "Shhhh it is okay I am sorry about your mom, when did she die?" she asked and my heart starts to ache I didn't want to answer but I can't run away from it because it is my fault, and I said " w...when I was b..born, a..and it's a...all m..my f..fault" I said crying and then she said "Oh my god what are you saying of course it is not your fault, I am sorry that you have to go through all that, come on don't cry everything thinks will be okay don't blame yourself, " she said but I know that she is just trying to make me feel better but the truth is that it was my fault I was crying until I fall asleep.....