CHAPTER THREE: Decision

ROSA POV

“Bang!”.

The sound of Bianca's heavy fall echoed.

My legs trembled as I watched as she lay lifeless

Immediately, Dominic rushed in quickly to the bathroom,his eyes darted with rage.

“What have you done Rosa!”,he said, lifting her up as she carried her across the bathroom to the bed.

“Can I get an answer!”,he yelled again, this time loud and harsh.

“I did nothing Dominic, believe me,she tried to kill me," I said defensively.

He called out to his boys to inform the doctor about the incident.

Immediately,he dragged me away,my feet crashing against the tiles.

“If anything happens to my child, Rosa, I will kill you,”he said angrily.

“I didn't mean to hurt Bianca!”I screamed loudly.

I pleaded for him to hear me out but he paid deaf ears.

Then he pushed the door of the torture room and pushed me inside,there I fell,my back hitting so hard on the ground.

My gaze fell on the stern face of Dominic.

My mind raced as he slammed the door behind and locked it.

The realization of disregarding humiliation sank down my mind.

Memories of Dominic's past behavior flooded my thoughts.

I remembered how he would return from his rival group, his anger and frustration boiling over, and take it out on me.

He would use me as a punching bag, and I would endure it, blinded by my love for him.

But now, seeing how he didn't even want to listen to me, made me realize that he had never truly loved me.

The memories of him apologizing with flowers after his maltreatment on me now seemed manipulating.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my mom's number.

"Mom, I need you to call the lawyer. I want to start processing the divorce papers," I said, my voice low and firm.

“I would come back home as soon as possible,”I added.

Hearing that,my mom's voice filled with joy.

Ever since my departure,she had been so worried about my well being with Dominic.

Each time she asked about my marriage,I would lie and cover up for him.

“Mom, my marriage is perfect, Dominic is the perfect man for me,”I would say.

But deep down I knew I wasn't satisfied with my marriage,I just couldn't stop loving him.

But now my mind is made up,my love for him is gone.

Mom broke the long silence as she said excitedly.

“Dominic's contracts with the vitellin group had been terminated ,I guess he would come crawling back to you when he goes broke," she said.

“Ready to reveal your identity to him”,she added sharply

My grip tightened on the phone,as I sighed loudly,

“No Mom, I'm not ready to reveal my identity to him not now either,”I voiced out.

Just as I finished answering the call, I heard the door open.

Dominic walked in, Bianca by his side. Her hand was wrapped around his arm.

I was stunned in silence as I realized Bianca acted it up.

She smirked as she let off a sly grin.

“Honey,release her,she did that out of jealousy,You can see I'm fine now”,

She said,her gaze stern towards me.

Dominic released Bianca's hand, and walked closer to me,his gaze locked onto mine.

“Thank your God nothing happened to my wife and child,I would have sent you to hell”,he growled.

“She acted it up, trust me,she tried to kill me”.I replied defensively.

“Shut it Rosa,you liar,your days are numbered, you have no business with me anymore,” Dominic snapped quickly.

I clenched my fist,my face reddened with rage.

Hearing Dominics voice now doesn't just irritate me but makes me hate him more.

I hissed loudly, “fine Dominic if that's what you want,the divorce letter is being processed,I would sign it and send it to you”.

With that, Dominic turned his face away from me,as he stared at Bianca.

Immediately, Bianca took a step forward,her eyes flashed with anger, her fist clenched hard.

“What do you think about yourself Rosa”.

Her voice harsh and loud

"You're nothing but a poor slut,Why don't you just crawl back to whatever hole you came from and leave us alone?”

Bianca's words cut deep, but I stood my ground, refusing to be beaten by her words.

My desperation to win Dominics love made me track his every move and make myself available for him that night at the bar.

I guess he never fell for my greenlight but the fact I'm always available for him

“I'm no slut! I just fell foolishly in love with Dominic,”I murmured silently as hot tears streamed down my eyes.

“Don't fall for her pretentious attitude honey”,Bianca said sharply as she wrapped her hand tight on Dominic's arm, her gaze fixed on me.

Immediately,I strode slowly away from the both of them but Dominic was so quick to grab me back.

His grip tightened on my arms.

“Marco's family is having a family party tonight and you will be there,it's not a request",his voice commanded.

For a moment,I stood in silence.

Marco's family!.

Dominic's family.

My mind flashed back to the countless times I had been humiliated by Dominic's family.His parents who never accepted would be there.

My gaze locked on Dominic,I guess he knew the reason for my change in facial expression.

Immediately he left and Bianca followed him from behind as she smirked.

As they left,my mind raced to which decision I would make.

Attend the party and face Dominic's parents once again? Or resist Dominic's command and go to my parents.

CHAPTER FOUR: Getting back at them.

ROSA POV.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror,I had chosen the perfect gown for the evening,a stunning expensive dress father had given to me on my twenty-first birthday.

I had been saving it for a special occasion and today seems to be the perfect day to reveal my identity.

Marco's family would pay for all their humiliations and betrayals.

My gaze fell upon the expensive jewelry I had carefully selected to complement my gown.

The diamonds and pearls glittered vibrantly.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room, prepared to confront whatever humiliation I would face this evening.

But as I entered the hallway, my eyes fell on Bianca's shocked facial expressions.

We were both wearing the same dress, jewelry,it seems she mimicked my dressing on my 21st birthday.

What is she up to? I murmured, ignoring her gaze ,as I walked past her.

The ceremony began as a group of mafia Dons and elites walked into the hallway.

I turned my face towards the table where Mr and Mrs Marco sat.

Taking a deep breath ,I strode towards the table, my heels clicking on the tiles as I pulled a seat and sat down.

They all smirked,but I bluntly ignored their looks and sat down.

Mrs Mari raised an eyebrow,her eyes narrowing.

“You still have the mind to attend this party tonight Rosa,is that how desperate and clingy you are to Dominic?”.

“I suppose you are waiting for him to notice you,” she added sharply.

I leaned back in my chair,my gaze turned towards her,my lips widened letting off a sly grin.

“Maybe,”I said,my voice low and firm.

Her face reddened,but before she could respond,Bianca hurried towards her as she wrapped her hands around her shoulder.

"Suocera, mi sei mancata tanto”.

Translation:Mother in-law I have missed you so much.

Mrs Mari's lips widened as she pulled Bianca closer to her, rubbing her palms on her belly.

"Ti ho anch'io persa, figlia mia,”she said her voice filled with warmth.

Translation: I missed you too, my daughter-in-law.

My heart sank as I realized that all along,the Marco's family had humbly accepted Bianca into the family.

“Here's a little present for you,”Bianca said as she pulled off a stunning gold necklace. It's a diamond sparkling in the light.

“Mother this is a bulgari serpenti,made from 18k Italian gold,”Bianca said with confidence.

The room fell silent with all eyes fixed on the necklace.

“Wow this is so nice and expensive,your daughter in-law is so generous,”a feminine voice said.

“This cost a fortune,I would do anything to have this on my hands,”another guest exclaimed with a grasp.

Mrs Mari’s face gladdened as she pulled Bianca closer and hugged her passionately.

I smiled at their expressions because I know Mrs Mari's attitude

If Bianca does anything wrong now,she won't mind the gifts but would quickly unleash her anger on her.

I recalled the humiliation I faced in my first year of getting into Marco's family.

How she belittled me in front of everyone and made me feel like an outsider.

So wise of Bianca to learn her lifestyle this early,I murmured.

I smirked,my gaze locked onto Bianca who stared at me with hatred.

Immediately,she cleared her throat, her voice clear and loud.

“This is my little way of honouring my mother in-law,as the sole heiress of the vitellin family I'm meant to do more,”she revealed.

Hearing that my jaw dropped.

“Is she trying to steal my identity?”.

I now realized the reason she had the same dress and jewelry with me ,Bianca had clearly claimed to be me all this while.

I stood up,my eyes locked on Bianca

“That's not true," I said , my voice loud and firm.

Mocking laughter filled the hall as everyone stared at me.

“I'm the real daughter of Vitellin,Bianca is impersonating my identity”.

Bianca laughed loudly, “look who's claiming to be someone she is not,”she said.

I took a step forward,as I dipped my hands into my clutch and pulled out a stunning necklace.

“Here this is the real bulgari serpenti 18k gold necklace,hers is fake," I revealed .

The room fell into sudden whispers and murmurs as they all stared at me as a joke.

“Wow this is incredible,”a voice whispered.

Seeing the difference,Mrs Mari's face brightened.

She stretched her hands trying to get hold of the necklace but I pulled it away from her. A sly grin spread across my face.

“This isn't for you,Mrs Mari you don't deserve it,”I voiced out loudly.

Mrs Mari clenched her fist,her face reddened with rage,she tried to slap me.

But I caught her hand holding it with a firm grip.

Don't ever try that again,I warned my eyes darted with anger.

Mrs Mari was stunned in silence,her face turned pale,but before she could say anything, Dominic and his group rushed towards us.

“Rosa what's going on here?,’he asked In a demanding tone.

Immediately,Mrs Mari rushed towards him,tears streaming down her eyes.

“Rosa humiliated me in front of everyone”,she sobbed.

Hearing that,Dominic's face darkened and he turned to me.

“Rosa what's going on here?,”He repeated.

This gift from Bianca is fake,”I said, my voice clear.

“Her dress, her jewelry, everything is fake. She's trying to steal my identity.”

Bianca's face turned red,and she took a step back, her eyes filled with anger.

“How dare you impersonate my identity Rosa”.

“My dad, Don Alessandro Vitellin gifted this dress to me on my 21st birthday,here is just a little reveal of my luxury,”she said sharply.

Dominic didn't flinch,instead his gaze locked onto mine.

“And what's that with the necklace?, where did you get it from?,” he asked.

My eyes widened,seeing Dominic never believed what I said rather only standing by Bianca's side.

I took a step backwards, it's of no importance revealing my identity to them anymore.

“I..I bought it,”I stammered as I tried to stand firm.

Dominic raised an eyebrow.

“With what money Rosa,you know you are not swimming in cash”.

The room fell silent as all eyes stared at me.

“Could it be Rosa had been stealing from Dominic all this while?”,a voice retorted.

I...I saved up," I said sharply , trying to defend myself.

But Dominic just laughed.

"Saved up? You expect me to believe that? Rosa”.

“ I know you've been stealing from me. I know you've been taking money from my account to fund your selfish desires”.

The room flared into gasps and whispers, with all eyes fixed on me.

My legs trembled, I felt like I was going to collapse from the humiliation.

"That's not true!".

"Don't lie to me, Rosa. I have proof. You're just a thief and a liar.”

Immediately he dragged my clutch,his grip tightened on it as he pulled out his credit card.

Everyone gasped in shock.

“What else do you want to say huh! Using my money to show off,”Dominic voiced out loudly.

My jaw dropped as my heart raced in confusion at the thought of how Dominic's card got into my clutch.

Ever since our marriage,I was strictly warned never to make use of his credit cards,instead I asked him for the money.

Tears welled down my eyes as I realized I had been framed.

“I didn't do it,”I said sharply.

Immediately,Mrs Mari stepped forward,her face reddened with anger.

“I think we should cut ties with Rosa,she's clearly not good enough for this family”.

“Instead of a separation letter,why not sign the divorce paper now,”she added.

I was stunned in silence, Dominic had processed the divorce documents even before I did.

My plans of revealing my identity and getting back at Marco's family had failed.

Instead I was handed a divorce paper by Dominic publicly in front of everyone.

Tears streamed down my eyes freely.

The humiliation is just too much for me to withstand.

CHAPTER FIVE:Beaten once more.

ROSA POV

Dominic smirked as he handed the divorce papers to me.

My hands trembled as tears continuously streamed down my eyes.

“How could he do this to me ? In front of these people”.

"Dominic Please let's settle our differences, are you really going to divorce me, just like that?," I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“It's over Rosa,you have served your purpose with me,”he voiced out loudly, he wanted them all to hear.

I looked down at the divorce papers in my trembling hands.

The bold letters blurring.

“You planned all of this... just to humiliate me?”

“I don't mind Bianca having a child or coming in between us,I just want to be with you Dominic,”I said my voice cracked.

I thought my love for Dominic had faded away but right here,it was like it grew stronger at this moment.

“I just want to be with him and just want to have him to myself," I murmured as the tears I tried holding back streamed down my cheeks.

Dominic didn't flinch,instead he turned his face away, clenching his fist so hard.

“Sign the damn paper and stop being an emotional slut, " Bianca chimed in harshly.

For a moment,I stared at her closely wondering how and when Bianca caught Dominic's attention.

How she was able to be loved by Marco's family,the care and love they all showered on her was never given to me.

With that,my heart spanked as I realized,they all loved the fact that she came from a wealthy and famous family as she claimed to be.

I'm the real vitellin daughter not Bianca if only they knew.

I glanced around the hall,my gaze fell upon the faces that pretended not to stare.

They all whispered and murmured between themselves.

Immediately,my fingers tightened onto the pen as I signed the divorce paper,my hands steady.

I saw the triumphant face of Bianca as she tightened her grip onto Dominic's arm.

“I feel for her,”a voice echoed in the hall.

“Rosa doesn't deserve Dominic's love.

Bianca is best for him,”another voice retorted.

I smirked bitterly, letting off a sly grin as I turned my face away, walking quickly towards the exit door.

Outside the hall I quivered at the sight of My dad, Don Alessandro Vitellin.

Immediately I turned my face away but he was so quick to see me.

“Rosa, he called out,his voice loud and clear.

As he strode towards me,my heart raced as the thought of what punishment he would place on me ran through me.

I turned my face towards him,his eyes met mine.

“Dad…Greetings Dad,”I said with a stammering voice.

His lips widened,as he pulled me closer to me,his hands wrapped around my shoulder.

*It's fine, princess,don't be afraid,I'm here to take you home,”he said in a calm voice .

I was amazed at his reaction.

Dad used a calm voice on me?This was nothing of what I expected.

“How do you want us to treat Dominic for everything he has done to you?,”he asked sharply.

My jaw dropped, Dad knew everything.

For a moment there was silence between us,my eyes gazed forward to his boys who stood close to the black bulletproof Mercedes Benz.

It's my fight,I can't get dad involved I thought.

“It's fine dad,I will handle Dominic myself," I said sharply.

Hearing that,he breathed loudly, clenching his fist as if I said something annoying.

I let out a mild smile,as I pulled closer to him.

“Let's go home then”.

I shook my head, “No dad,I still have a lot of things to handle. I will come back once I'm done”.

“Nonsense Rosa,I can't let you be humiliated anymore by these people,do they know who you are?”He voiced out loudly.

I took a step backwards,my head bowed gently.

“Just give me time papa,I promise to make it up to you”.

“There is no more time for you again,come back home and stop keeping your suitor waiting”.

“Be thankful he hadn't given up on you”.

Suitor? I repeated.

Dad still kept hold of the arranged marriage?

“Dad, I'm not ready for any other commitments or marriage”,I said.

Hearing that,his eyes reddened with rage.

“Don't say that Rosa,the fact that Dominic broke your heart,doesn't mean Vincenzo will”.

“You don't have any excuse not to, use it as a way to make up for your bad behavior,"he added in a commanding voice.

Vincenzo? The suitor from the arranged marriage I turned down because of Dominic.

“I'm not in the mood to talk about this, Dad.

Maybe some other time,”I replied.

He smirked, turning away from me as he strode quickly towards the car.

His boys pulled the door open as they hopped into the car.

I watched as they drove away.

For a moment I was stunned,as the thought of how I left all this luxury to come and be with Dominic only to be dumped by him and his family.

The last drop of tears streamed down my eyes.

Flashes of memories with Dominic ran through me.

I had been a fool all this while to believe Dominic loved me more than my parents.