Chapter 109 109

Chapter 109 109

The cheers and applause still echoed through the grand hall as the announcement settled over the crowd.

Yuki stood frozen for only a second before she turned on her heel and walked away from the staircase, moving quickly through the sea of guests.

“Yuki!” Stefano called after her, his voice cutting through the noise.

She didn’t stop.

“Alessandra!” Luciano’s voice rang out behind her, sharp and authoritative.

Yuki kept walking, faster now, heading toward the side exit of the hall. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.

“Alessandra, stop!” Miranda called, worry clear in her tone.

Yuki stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway just outside the main hall. She spun around, eyes blazing with anger and pain.

“Don’t you dare call me that!” she shouted, voice cracking. “Yuki! My name is Yuki!”

Luciano stepped forward, his face stern. “What is your problem?”

Yuki’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “That stupid engagement! That’s my problem! How can you marry me off without my consent? This is my life! We barely know each other and you have no say in what I should and should not do!”

Luciano’s expression hardened. He took another step closer. “I have a say in what concerns you because I am your father!”

“Honey—” Miranda started, reaching out.

“Well I don’t recognize you as one!” Yuki yelled, tears spilling down her cheeks. “The both of you are just plain evil! I don’t want your name, your status, your money or your concern and I’m not marrying him!”

She pointed straight at Stefano, who stood a few steps behind them, watching silently.

“It’s final. You’re getting married in one month and nobody, bit even you will stop that wedding from happening. Do you understand?” Luciano’s voice turned cold and final.

Tears streamed freely down Yuki’s face now. She shook her head, lips trembling. Luciano turned and walked away without another word.

“Luciano, wait—” Miranda called after him desperately.

“Princess…”

“Don’t… just… stay the fuck away from me!” she screamed, voice breaking. Yuki couldn’t take it anymore.

She turned and ran, heels clicking loudly against the marble floor as she fled down the hallway toward her suite.

She burst into the room, slammed the door shut behind her, and locked it with shaking hands.

The second she was alone, the dam broke completely.

Yuki screamed… a raw, painful sound that tore from her throat. She grabbed the expensive emerald gown and yanked at it, tearing the zipper down so hard the fabric ripped.

She kicked off the heels, one flying across the room. Her hands went to the diamond necklace Miranda had given her earlier. She ripped it off her neck, the clasp breaking, and threw it against the wall with a sob.

She collapsed onto the floor beside the bed, curling into herself as heavy, ugly sobs wracked her body.

“Why would you do this to me?!” She cried out, voice hoarse. “Why?! I finally had something good… I had Kade… I had a life… and you just… you just take it all away!”

Tears poured down her face as she hugged her knees to her chest, rocking slightly.

“I hate you… I hate all of you… I never asked for this… I never asked to be anyone’s daughter… I just wanted to be normal… I just wanted to be with him…”

Her screams turned into broken, gasping cries. She buried her face in her arms, shoulders shaking violently.

Everything hurt. The reality of the engagement, the fear of Stefano and her parents, the pain of loosing Kade to this miserable life.. it all crashed over her at once.

She felt completely alone, trapped in a world she never wanted, forced into a future she couldn’t escape.

She cried harder, the sound muffled against her knees, until her throat burned and her chest ached.

—

Stefano stood outside Yuki’s door for a long moment, one hand resting lightly against the wood.

He could hear everything– her raw screams, the sound of fabric tearing, the heavy sobs that shook her voice as she cursed her parents and this new life she’d been forced into.

He sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a second. He had expected resistance. He had expected tears and anger. But not to this extent.

He turned away from the door and walked down the long hallway, his footsteps echoing. The distant sound of the party still drifted from the grand living room.. laughter, music, clinking glasses, and congratulations.

None of it interested him anymore. He walked straight past the entrance without stopping and continued outside into the cool night air.

He stopped beside his black car, staring at it for a few seconds before opening the driver’s door and sliding inside. He didn’t start the engine right away.

He just sat there, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, staring straight ahead into the darkness of the estate grounds.

Her reaction hurt more than he wanted to admit.

He had imagined the announcement as a proud moment, finally claiming her publicly, giving her the status and life she deserved as his.

Instead, she had looked at him with pure horror and rejection. She had screamed that she didn’t want him. That she loved someone else. That she would rather run away than be tied to him.

“Fuck this.” He muttered under his breath, jaw tight.

He loved her.

He had loved her for years, from the quiet girl with pink hair in the orphanage to the strong, beautiful woman she had become. He wanted to give her everything.

He wanted to treat her like a queen, to protect her, to build a life with her where she would never feel alone again. He didn’t want to break her. He wanted her to choose him.

But he also knew he wouldn’t give up.

He started the engine, the low rumble filling the car. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he drove off into the night, the lights of the estate fading behind him.

He wouldn’t give up on her.

Not now. Not ever.