Matteo

A marriage of convenience is a deal where signatures on stamped paper speak for themselves instead of feelings. For Emma, ​​this vast, immaculate mansion became more of a luxurious cage than a home, and her husband a strict overseer. Their union was based solely on documents and obligations. There was never any love between them, and the rare nights spent in the same bed resembled merely the mechanical fulfillment of contractual clauses, completely devoid of passion. The terms of the contract were both simple and harsh: Emma was obligated to give birth to a legitimate heir for Matteo, the stern and influential head of a mafia clan. Once the child was born, she would receive her long-awaited divorce and freedom. In this oppressive reality, Emma escaped as best she could: she immersed herself in her design work and spent hours in the greenhouse. The garden was the only place where she felt alive. And today, leaving her sketches on her desk, she sat on the terrace, pensively contemplating her palms, which still retained the subtle scent of earth and pruned flowers. The heavy, measured steps behind her made her cringe inwardly. Matteo appeared in the doorway. As always, he was dressed in an impeccable dark suit, radiating the chilling authority and sternness of a man accustomed to ruling over others. He tiredly loosened his tie and looked down at Emma with his heavy, impenetrable gaze. "You're hiding in your garden again, Emma," his voice was low and dry, instantly shattering the evening silence. "I hope you haven't forgotten what day it is today. It's time for us to get to work on our main contract. Time flies, and I still haven't seen any results." He took a step forward, waiting for her answer.