My beautiful baby just graduated. I'm so happy."

My mother wrapped her arms around me—her brown hair in tangled mine. Her perfume swam around my nostrils like a bee would a flower.

"Mom, you're suffocating me." Laughing, I was begging for air. "Where's dad, mom? I thought he said he was coming?" I said. Looking around, she pulled her phone. Frowning, she showed me the text he sent her.

"Tell Sofia I couldn't make it. I have big clients."

Looking disappointed, my mother grabbed my hand. "Don't take it personally, sweetheart. He means well." She said. Looking toward her, I put my arm over her shoulder.

"Are we still going to celebrate at Arnie's?" I said.

Nodding her head, I knew she wouldn't pass up Arnie's.

Pulling up to Arnie's restaurant. My mother parked the car. My father was waiting outside. His hand was rubbing his hair like he does when he's stressed. Closing the car door, my father came up to me and embraced me.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I knew how much this meant to you for me to be there." My father said.

Hearing my father cry was beyond meaningful. I've never seen the man cry before.

"Aw, daddy, don't cry. Mom took some great shots." I said.

Pulling away from me, he wiped his tears on his coat. "Let's go inside and celebrate. My beautiful daughter just graduated high school." My father said. Pulling me with him, we entered the building.

Pulling the chair up, my father gestured for me to sit down. Pulling the chair forward, I set my purse down. I was pulled my graduation gown off. I folded it and put it behind my chair. The waiter came with menus. Staring at him. His brown eyes caught my attention. My father clears his throat noticing my stares.

"We can start with teas for the ladies and a scotch on the rocks for me."

Staring at my mother, she just shrugged her shoulders. The waiter left, ignoring my stares—Pfff whatever.

"Sofia, I'm sorry I couldn't be there tonight with you. I had one of the biggest clients."

Waving my hand around, I didn't feel that hurt. A little bit, but not much. "I understand, dad. Don't apologize."

Pulling the menu to my face, I notice a figure out of the corner of my eye. I know that body from anywhere. It was Daniel, my ex, I felt the tears come. I blinked rapidly, holding them back. He had his hand behind some girl's back. Why her? I felt the pain come back. My father studied me looking toward Daniel he waved his hand.

"Don't worry about him, Figlia. He's garbage and a loser."

Making me laugh. I pulled my tea toward my mouth. I ignored Daniel. "No crying tonight, sweetheart. We are celebrating you."

Arriving home, I felt exhausted. I went to my room. Feeling so tired, I started the shower pulling my clothes off and taking my hair down. I stepped into the shower rinsing the day away. I thought of Daniel the way he broke up with me was the worse way possible.

One week ago.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. Daniel looked me in the eyes. I loved him so much. "We've been together almost four years now, right?" I said.

Letting out a sigh, he nodded. Feeling something was off, I let my hands fall from his neck. He got off the bed my hair fell from my shoulders.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore, Sofia," he said.

Facing the window, he didn't turn to look at me anymore. "Wh...what why?"

He turned toward me. "You're a beautiful girl, and I need more than beauty. I want to be with you. I'm not waiting till marriage to be with you." He said.

Feeling my gut being torn from my body. I walked over to him. "You're leaving me because I won't sleep with you?"

My eyes darting back and forth. Looking at him, I felt my eyes tear up.

"Is that all you do is cry? Fuck I can't do this. I'm not too fond of your crying or whining. I can't stand you. At first, I loved everything about you. But that's all it is. Always about you, I waited years to be with you. Do you know how hard it is to not fuck anyone when your girlfriend is a walking Virgin Mary? I tried to wait for you. I did. I cheated on you multiple times. I fucked a bunch of girls, and you don't even know it."

He spoke with such pride. I felt the knife go through me. I felt him twist and twist the blade more profoundly.

"Fucking answer me. I'm talking to you, Sofia."

I tried to speak. I did. I felt like a zombie. I grabbed my purse and jacket walking out of the room. I walked through the front door and headed toward my car. Opening the car door, I drove home. I don't remember it. I remember laying on my bed and sobbing for a couple of hours.

Present time.

Drying my hair with the hairdryer, I heard some noise downstairs. Brushing my hair, I put on my tank top and yoga pants. Closing my bedroom door, I hear my mother crying.

"You can't do this, Peter. She has her whole life ahead of her."

Confused, I listened to what my parents were saying. "I had no choice, Maria. It was either marry her off to Marco Morelli's son, or we lose everything. And live on the streets."

I sat down on the floor. What has my father done? Walking down the stairs, I faced my father.

"Marry me off? What the actual fuck, dad?"

He turned toward me. My mother is sobbing.

"Don't you use that tone with me, Sofia! I did what I had to do. To secure a future for you."

Feeling pissed, I paced back and forth. "Who is this guy I'm being married to? Some freak?!?" I felt myself screaming.

"You have to calm down. His name is Dante Morelli. He's part of the mafia."

Feeling my world spin, and my vision blurred. I blacked out.