The Devil's Bride.

It was bright in the ballroom, and there was laughter and music, and people were clothed in costly attire. There were smiles all around, and wine, and pretending to have a good time. Isabella Romano stood by one of the tables, holding a glass of champagne, trying not to roll her eyes at how mock everything seemed. They were always the same parties. Old men boasting about money, women showing off their jewels, her father playing the part of king of the night.

She'd come because she'd had no choice. Besides, if Marco Romano commanded his daughters to show up, they showed up. No questions asked. Isabella had just chopped off her hair and wheeled out in a long red dress her mother had selected, and despite the fact that she didn't much care about fashion right now, she looked good, she allowed herself to think.

Her little sister Sofia was at her side, looking pale and nervous. "Bella," Sofia murmured, "are you aware if Papa will miss if I leave early?"

Isabella smiled faintly at her. "You know he will. Don't even try it. Just smile and look pretty. That's all he wants."

Sofia sighed and popped her head nodding, pushing some of her happy ass brown hair out of her ear. She was always so much gentler, tenderer than Isabella. Where Isabella was obstinate, Sofia was softer.

A small clutch was in their mother, Lucia's, hand as she walked up to them. "Girls, behave yourselves tonight," she whispered. "Your father has important guests."

"Important guests?" Isabella repeated. "Not every year. The very same excuse. Again. Who do we have to impress this time?"

Lucia shot her a warning look. "Please, Isabella, do not start."

Just as she wanted to respond, the Hall went quiet and Isabella's father, Marco Romano, climbed to the stage. Everyone in the room fell silent as he lifted the champagne glass. His deep, solemn voice reverberated throughout the music hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us tonight. On this evening of celebration, family, and future partnerships."

Isabella exchanged a glance with her sister. Future partnerships – that never meant anything good.

"I would like to make an announcement. My daughter Sofia Romano is to be married to Adrian Vescovi."

There was polite clapping coming from around the room, but Isabella was frozen in place. She looked at Sofia's face, who turned pale in shock. Her lips were trembling, and her eyes were as big as plates.

"What?" she whispered, clutching her sister's hand.

"I didn't know, Bella. I swear I did not know."

But the anger in her chest only grew stronger. Before anyone knew it, she was storming off the table towards her father.

"What the hell was that?" she hissed, pulling him away from the crowd and into a dark corner.

"What the hell was that, Papa?"

"Lower your voice." He hushed

"No. What the hell was that? You just announced Sofia's engagement as if she was some kind of