His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies

Chapter 364

Aria

Vince took me for a drive, and believe it or not-I was frightened. He hadn’t said a word, and his hand, which was tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, made me believe that he was not here for a wedding talk.

After a while of driving. Vince stopped the car at the side of the road and turned around to look at me.

He took a deep breath. “Since we’ve both signed the contract, I’ll just say what’s on my mine.” He sounded

serious.

“First of all, let me start by saying that you’re one of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He said, staring at me. “I admire you for taking over your family, and I’ve heard good things about you.”

“Thank you.” I took in his compliment, smiling brightly. Being admired by the one I loved was all I ever wanted-even if he despised me.

“I feel flattered that someone as powerful as you would want to marry someone like me.” Vince paused for a second. “But the way you did it was wrong.”

A sudden feeling of cold found its way through my body as all I wanted was to wake up from this bad, dream. Unable to respond, I frowned slightly-waiting for an explanation.

“You’re still young, and you live in this perfect fantasy, so I’m sure you don’t mean any harm-but you shouldn’t have forced me to marry you.” Vince spoke in a soft tone.

It wasn’t new to me, but this time it was not coming from his friend’s mouth. It came from the source himself. Forced? He thought I had forced him to marry him?

“Uhm, wow,” I looked down, feeling embarrassed.

“I hope you can listen to me.” Vince didn’t back down. “I feel trapped and disrespected by you picking me up like a piece of garbage, deciding that you’ll marry me just like that.” He told me his frustrations. “Then you come with this ridiculous contract-thinking you have the right to decide over my life.”

I froze.

“Aria, do you understand where I’m coming from?”

“Yes.” I gulped.

He spoke almost like a dad scolding his daughter, showing he did not want to hurt my feelings.

His words were painful, but they were necessary as I slowly began to see the picture. I could feel the pain in his eyes and listened to every word.

I did force him to marry me. I could’ve fought for his heart as any normal woman would’ve done, but instead. I used dad’s connections to get a ring on my finger.

Without thinking it through, I ordered him to marry me, knowing he would not decline to save his family’s honor. How could I even have the nerve to wish for his heart!

“I invited you to my house. You cooked for us, which was very nice, by the way.” Vince smiled tenderly. “But then you told off my brother while that’s not your job, you brought back old memories by

mentioning our father, ranted about blowing people’s heads off-and god knows what.”

I’m a terrible person.

I’m a terrible person.

a second, I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep my

was only trying to help so no one in the family would interfere.

thought of Vince reading through the parts in the contract about Luis’

was all

a lot. He’s vulnerable-so you can at least

sorry.” My voice cracked, hoping he had nothing else to say. I’d talked enough crap about everyone for this conversation to go in any direction.

of friends, which is very rude, considering those friends have been there at my lowest and know me

practiced what to say beforehand, meaning it must’ve been on his mind for a long time. Maybe, I was a

this was all a misunderstanding. I just wanted him to be surrounded by good people with good hearts. Friends that would not

“I-I didn’t-

Vince’s tone grew colder. “Unless you want us to go to war with all the families as soon as we get

sorry.” My

wanted him to stop and did not know how much more

pass because you’re still young and somewhat immature, but unless you don’t want me to lose the tiniest bit of respect I have left for

Young and immature.

the tiniest bit of respect for me sounded like

did he dislike me?

I couldn’t explain why I had done it. Talking bad about others and there struggles made me feel a bit better about my own

my eyes, still trying to hold back my tears. “And I’m sorry.”

for him to love me

for Oscar hiring Angelo Marino as your advisor, a Marino to make me feel threatened and to keep this marriage in check. That

start.”

with his words. If he only knew that although I respected dad-I did not stand behind his decision

wanted was to protect everything he built. Yes, he was wrong-but it ultimately was my fault. He didn’t know the Garcias for that long. People made them out to be monsters-so having the

me kept dad’s heart at peace, and at the end of the

in the first place-but he went along

me happy, so how could I

sorry for calling you so suddenly, but you’ve left me no choice.” Vince chuckled awkwardly. “We are getting married in a few days, and I want us to be on

me about what I was getting myself into. Vince could let me walk down the

had a good and honest

to speak a complete sentence, but I did not get far as tears started streaming

to hide my face in my hands. “Hey, don’t cry!” He pulled away

to speak, but the pain in my throat

sobbed, feeling Vince’s finger near my eye to wipe away my tears. “Forget the contract, I’ll tell dad to cancel the wedding, and I’ll help you clear the Garcias name—”

it’s too late for that.” Vince shook his head, chuckling. “We’ve announced our engagement to the entire

I’ll take the blame.” I breathed,

Garcias don’t have a good reputation, it wouldn’t matter that much-but I don’t want your family to become the laughing stock.” Vince spoke.

Vince still cared for my family’s well-being. He cared for the Morales and the

a smile after all you’ve just said.” I asked. “I know you: hate

said, trying to convince himself. “I do not hate you.”

I knew he disliked me, but I hadn’t realized just

Sure anymore.

out the marriage until you can’t take it anymore, and

to deny my accusations, but