(MARIANNA'S POV)

I can't breathe.

Vincenzo Lombardo, the man I thought was a mistaken one-night stand, the man I threw money at this morning, is seated across from me at this business dinner.

I took a large sip of wine, trying to hide my trembling hand.

"We will sign an agreement on the terms you have pushed forward with ours in mind," Grandfather said. "We can arrange meetings with the other eight families on whether we can add you to the circle." He looked at Mr Santino “And maybe the Santinos as well”

Victor Lombardo nodded thoughtfully. "We look forward to this.” He began “The eight families have maintained balance for decades, Edward. But times are changing. New players are disrupting the old ways."

I stole another glance at Vin. He's watching me too, his expression unreadable except for a slight tightness around his eyes.

He looked different in his perfectly tailored suit, hair styled immaculately, every inch the corporate heir. Nothing like the sleepy, naked man I left this morning.

"Another glass, Miss Kingwicke?" I was startled as a waiter appeared at my elbow.

"Yes, please," I murmured.

"The Sapru deal you negotiated last month," Vin spoke out suddenly, addressing me directly for the first time. "How did you manage it when everyone else had failed?"

All eyes turned to me. I straightened my spine, grateful for the shift to business territory.

"I offered them something the others didn't," I reply. "Autonomy within partnership. They didn't want to be absorbed, they wanted to be allies."

Vin's eyebrow raised slightly. "Unconventional approach."

"But effective," I countered.

"Indeed," Grandfather interjected proudly. "My granddaughters represent the future of our family enterprise. Both Marianna and Sophia bring unique strengths to our operations."

"Speaking of the future," Victor Lombardo uttered, "we should discuss the specifics of our alliance."

Grandfather nodded. "We've considered multiple avenues for solidifying this partnership. Business interests alone can be fragile. But family ties, those endure."

My stomach dropped as I realized where this was heading.

"I would be honored to represent our family in this alliance," Sophia chipped in suddenly, her gaze fixed on Vin. Her smile is practiced perfection. "The European operations have given me extensive experience in cross-family negotiations."

All these were possible because I was there to assist her.

My father cleared his throat. "Sophia," he said quietly, leaning toward her. "Not now."

I watched with growing dread.

Sophia had always been the golden child, spoiled from birth while I worked twice as hard for half the attention she was receiving from our parents.

I was fortunate enough to get the CEO role, thanks to my alliance with the eight families, but these same families ended up betraying me for her.

She vowed not to get involved with any man until she has established herself well enough to be independent, yet here she is, practically volunteering for an arranged marriage.

"Actually," Vin interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension, "I'd be interested in working with Marianna on this venture."

I choked on my wine.

"Excellent choice" Grandfather nodded

"Her approach to the Sapru deal demonstrates exactly the kind of innovative thinking this alliance requires," Vin turned to me smoothly. "How old are you, Miss Kingwicke?"

"Twenty-seven," I answered and he just smiled, giving a satisfied nod.

Before I could ask for his, Victor Lombardo chuckled. "My son appreciates talent, Edward. But let's be direct, we're not just talking about a business partnership."

"No," Grandfather agreed. "A marriage would cement our families' interests permanently."

"Marriage?" I blurted out. "You can't be serious."

"It's a practical arrangement," Grandfather dismissed me. "A marriage to protect mutual interests."

"I have far too many responsibilities to consider marriage right now," I protested. "The Asian and European expansions, the tech investment portfolio.... " and my CEO role I'm working hard to get.

"I won't interfere with your work, Marianna," Vin stated, as if that addresses my concerns.

"Marianna is seeing someone," Sophia jumped in. "Tyler Lakewood. They've been together for months."

I stared at her, Why did she exaggerate the months like we've been seeing each other for years? Does she really want to marry a mafia heir that badly? Could it be one of those her grand schemes she had against me?

Tyler and I went on a few awkward dates, and in my past life, I overlooked everything. Now I realized we had no chemistry.

Sophia knew mentioning him will make her seem like the more eligible option.

"A minor complication," Grandfather waved dismissively. "Nothing compared to the benefits this union would bring."

I glanced at Vin, expecting disgust or anger. Instead, he's watching me with curiosity. My grandfather signaled his assistant, who approached with two leather portfolios.

"The initial agreement," Grandfather explained, passing one to me and one to Vin. "A preliminary partnership between our families, to be signed tonight."

I opened the portfolio, scanning the legal language. It's not only a marriage contract, but another agreement that seemed like the first step toward entangling our families' interests.

"Sign it, Marianna," Grandfather urged me, his tone leaving no room for argument. "For the family." I looked up, meeting Vin's eyes across the table.

What choice do either of us have? We're pieces on our families' chessboard. For the love I had for my grandfather, despite everything, I signed my name on the dotted line.

Vin watched me, then took the pen his father extended to him. I have no idea what he was thinking as his pen hovered over the paper. No idea if he signed or refused. No idea what would happen next if he does.

The meeting ended shortly and I arrived home, my mind still clouded from the dinner. I paced my bedroom, still in my emerald dress from dinner.

“Of all people, I have to end up with a mafia.” I mumbled as I touched my neck “And I must have insulted him for throwing that two hundred dollars to his face”

Sandra would be so pleased if she heard what happened tonight. I was too ashamed to tell her what played out earlier today. I can't remember what happened last night.

This didn't happen in my previous life. So why is it happening in this life?

The Lombardos never approached us for marriage, and Sophia was never involved.

Has the timeline shifted? Leaving me with no advantage from my time-traveling knowledge.

I needed boundaries while I figured out what to do. I headed over to Grandpa's study to find answers to this predicament. If only I have a mind of my own

"Grandfather?" I knocked on his study door.

"Marianna. Come in."

I settled across from him. "I wanted to discuss the arrangement with the Lombardos."

"You made the right decision signing the agreement. The Lombardos will protect our interests in ways we cannot."

"How long do we need to remain married?"

"Until the alliance is secure."

"And when would that be?"

"When you produce an heir," he sounded matter-of-factly. "After that, if you wish to divorce, arrangements can be made."

My stomach lurched. "An heir? You expect me to have a child with him?"

"That is generally how these arrangements work, Marianna. The Lombardos need assurance of our commitment."

I stood abruptly. “I only know his name, nothing else” I folded my arms before my chest "I didn't agree to that."

"You signed the preliminary agreement. The marriage contract is being drawn up as we speak."

I did not say anything again and stormed.

Next day, I made my way to my office and Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Tyler cornered me at the office.

"Is it true? Sophia told me you're engaged to Vincenzo Lombardo." We step into an empty conference room.

"It's true," I confirmed. "It's a business arrangement, which means whatever was between us needs to end."

"You can't be serious. We had something real, Marianna."

We had awkward dates and zero chemistry, but I didn't correct him on that.

"I'm sorry, Tyler, but my decision is final."

"You'll regret this. The Lombardos are dangerous."

"Goodbye, Tyler," I said firmly.

"They'll destroy you," he called after me. "And when they do, don't come crawling back."

I closed the door, feeling oddly liberated.

Since he is out of the way, my next phase is to have an agreement on things with Vincent and the only way is to visit him.

I took an early leave and headed straight to his company's building where I was directed by his secretary to his office.

The door is slightly ajar. I'm about to knock when I hear his voice.

"I don't care what it takes," he said tensely. "If she tries anything stupid, best believe I won't spare her this time."

My blood turned cold. This confirmed my worst fears, that I'm being thrown right into a hungry lion's den.

“What I'm I going to do?” I panicked as I headed to the exit.

I need to figure out a way