From Forced to Something Real (Mafia)

In the mafia, relationships are rarely built on love-they're tools of power, bargaining chips in a brutal game of survival. For Matteo Romano and Isabella Esposito, their marriage was no different. Forced into union by their fathers to cement an uneasy truce between rival families, their bond began as a cold transaction. Matteo, a stoic heir with a penchant for control, and Isabella, a fiery spirit who despised being caged, found themselves bound by duty and surrounded by enemies.At first, their interactions were strained, their lives a delicate performance for the watchful eyes of their families. Behind closed doors, sharp words and icy silences replaced the affection they were expected to feign. Yet, as the weight of their shared burden began to press down on them, cracks appeared in their defenses. Moments of vulnerability broke through the tension-small gestures, shared glances, and reluctant trust. In the dangerous world of the mafia, where every alliance is fragile, they became each other's unexpected refuge.Over time, the forced marriage evolved into something neither could have predicted. Matteo saw strength in Isabella's defiance, and Isabella glimpsed humanity in Matteo's cold exterior. What began as an obligation grew into mutual respect, and eventually, a love forged in the fires of adversity. But their newfound bond came with risks. In a world where betrayal is punished by death and vulnerability is a weapon, Matteo and Isabella must fight not only for their families' survival but for the fragile, real connection they've built against all odds.