The Hidden Queen

The wedding's in half an hour, and my fiancé's assistant, this woman, just hands me this paper.

Rule number one: No physical contact with him outside, not unless he explicitly permits it.

Rule number two: Intimacy is to occur only when he initiates it. She is obligated to satisfy his desires at least once a month.

Rule number three: He can demand his due at any time, any place, and she cannot refuse.

...

After I finished reading this entire two-page contract, I had to fight to keep a smile on my face.

Swallowing the fire in my gut, I called my fiancé.

"Marcus, what the hell is this?"

"What do you mean, 'If he fathers a child, she must raise it, no matter who the mother is'?"

"Miss Aria, the contract. Sign it."

My fiancé's personal assistant, Victoria, tossed the papers onto the vanity as I adjusted my gown.

I'd picked this wedding dress myself. Victoria had been with me then, paying with the Castillo card.

It felt odd, really. Grandpa had only said he'd found me a fiancé. I hadn't even met the man since we'd gotten engaged.

If Grandpa hadn't vouched for him, saying the man was good and his family was well-off, I wouldn't be marrying him.

I paused, then picked up the papers.

The first page read: "Marriage Contract."

Line after line of ridiculous clauses met my eyes. Two full pages. My fingers stopped at the last one.

"If the groom fathers a child, the bride must raise it, regardless of the mother."

My blood hammered in my temples.

The Castillo family, yes, they were a major power in New York. My status now was that of an adopted daughter from a second-rate family.

I'd expected them to set rules for me, but not ones this outrageous.

I looked up, catching my reflection in the mirror as I faced Victoria.

"Is this Marcus's doing?" My voice was steady.

"Of course," Victoria's smile widened. "These are Castillo family rules. You'd best get used to them."

I put down the papers and picked up my phone.

I dialed Marcus.

He answered after three rings.

"What is the meaning of this contract?" I asked directly.

"Oh, that," Marcus's voice sounded dismissive. "Just sign it. It's a formality."

"A formality?" I tightened my grip on the phone. "This contract treats me worse than a servant! At least a servant gets paid!"

"Don't get worked up," he sighed, as if to a spoiled child. "You're a pawn orchestrated by the Vincent family, understand? Pawns don't have emotions. Once you marry in, you'll be the Underboss's wife. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you'll be the future Donna. You'll naturally be obligated to raise a Castillo heir. Do you understand?"

Pawn.

That word hit me like a punch.

Was this the promising man Grandpa had spoken of?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I will not sign it."

"What?" Marcus's voice turned sharp.

"I said, I will not sign this