The Rejected Wife

What happens when a girl is born into the mafia? Girls are protected, hidden until adulthood, and from an early age, their parents seek marriage agreements with advantages, whether they are financial or just a higher position within the organization. All the girls know their fate and hope to win the favor of a good husband.

But Elizabeth wasn't so lucky. They say that the middle daughter is forgotten, and how her father wished he could forget her in a convent; he remembered every day that he hated her. Elizabeth and her younger brother Adam were hated by their father and dreamed of the day they would find peace. Elizabeth suffered during her childhood, enduring abuse and lack of love. She held onto the hope that when the time came for her to marry, her father would choose someone kind who loved her, but that illusion was shattered when she met her fiancé, Jhonatan Larson.

The Larson family was known for producing the next mafia boss from within. James Larson was single, but he had the stern demeanor of a leader. He dreamed of marrying the beautiful Stephanie, but his father didn't allow it because he disapproved of marriage between first cousins. In the end, James had to watch his beloved be handed over to a cruel man and die at his hands, leaving only memories and the vivid image of Stephanie reflected in his daughter Elizabeth.

James feared for Elizabeth's future in the hands of the cruel Natan Wolf. To protect her, he made an irresistible offer to the man – an exorbitant sum in exchange for Elizabeth marrying his nephew Jhonatan. Natan considered refusing, but he couldn't. All he could do was poison Jhonatan's mind against his own daughter, Elizabeth.

**

Elizabeth was still a teenager when her younger brother started his training, albeit a bit late. She was 17 years old, and her brother Adam was 14. Adam allowed Elizabeth to read his school books; she hadn't attended school since she was 8 years old, but she knew how to read and write. She enjoyed science books and researching topics related to the human body. If she had studied, she might have become a doctor or a nurse. Whenever she was injured, it was these people who offered her care and kindness.

Elizabeth began to live with her father after her mother had passed away. The father would take Adam after school, and he would train with Dave or on his own. Alex always accompanied his son during the training sessions. Jhonatan, now 19 years old, helped his 11-year-old brother Noah. Jhonatan was waiting for Elizabeth's next birthday to set the wedding date.

"Hello, Jhonatan, how are you?" Elizabeth's father asked.

"I'm doing well. I see it's Adam's turn to train now. It took a while for you to bring him. He has a lot to learn, and I hate to say it, but he needs to improve significantly to survive in our world."

"I know... But not everyone has the same abilities."

"And how is Elizabeth? You know there's only a year left until the wedding, and I've seen your daughter only once or in photos."

"I tried to raise her well. I hope she becomes sensible after marriage."

Jhonatan became intrigued. Her father mentioned that besides being beautiful, Elizabeth was discreet and reserved.

"Mr. Wolf, I have to ask... What kind of woman is your daughter? My father promised me a girl who's not only beautiful but also respectable. He told me I wouldn't have any issues with her."

"I'll straighten her out before the wedding. I moved her to a different school because of the boys she was getting involved with, but it didn't help much. I keep an eye on her through Dave, but he's also learning about the family business. I can't leave him in charge of her all the time."

Jhonatan felt deceived. If her own father was saying this about her, she must be even worse.

"I'm going to investigate your daughter, Natan. I want to know exactly what kind of woman she is. I have a reputation to uphold, but I can't have just anyone by my side."

Natan had achieved what he wanted, sowing doubt about his daughter's character in Jhonatan's mind. When Natan got home, he found Elizabeth reading in the living room. She had a worn-out book that Adam had picked up from the school library. It was a book about plants and their healing properties.

"What are you doing?" Natan asked.

"I'm reading," Elizabeth replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"I just enjoy reading, passing the time..."

"Don't you have any chores to do?"

"Dad, I've taken care of everything. The house is clean and tidy, the food is ready, and the kitchen is organized."

"Great! Put this on, you're going out with someone tonight. Just enjoy the evening and come back home, understood?"

Elizabeth looked at the bag, and inside was an outfit that was definitely new; it still had the price tag on it. It was a pair of black jeans and a red blouse with long sleeves. Elizabeth's body was marked with burns and injuries from the beatings she endured. She saw the outfit and loved it. Her father never bought her anything, so receiving a complete look like this felt like a display of affection. She got up and hugged her father.

"Dad, I love it! Thank you for the gift."

Natan pushed her away. "Don't hug me! Just obey me."

Elizabeth didn't argue. She went upstairs, took a shower, and changed into the new clothes. The new outfit looked really good on her. She put on sneakers; she didn't have heels or feminine shoes.

She came downstairs, and there was a guy waiting there. He saw her coming down the stairs and smiled. At that moment, Elizabeth felt uncomfortable. There was a malicious glint in his smile. Even though she was confined at home, she knew that some men didn't respect women.

"Sweetie, this is Ralph. He used to study with Dave. He'll be going out with you."

"Dad, can we talk in the kitchen?" Elizabeth said, apprehensive, and Natan followed her.

"Dad, I don't want to go out with him. I don't feel safe."

"I'm not asking if you want to. I'm telling you to go, and that's that! You complain that you never go out, that you don't have fun, that I don't give you anything, and when I arrange a day for you, you turn your nose up at it? I'm trying, my daughter, trying to be a good father..."

Elizabeth felt guilty for reacting that way to her father's surprise. She kissed him and went back to the living room.

"We can go now, I'm ready."

Natan smiled as he watched Elizabeth leave.

Meanwhile, Jhonatan was at home and received a message from Dave.

Dave: "Hey, buddy, want to go out tonight? I'll pick you up at 9 PM. There's a new bar downtown."

Jhonatan: "Sure, I'll wait for you!"

Jhonatan and Dave spent a lot of time training together. Natan used this opportunity to poison Jhonatan's mind against Elizabeth. However, when he was younger, Jhonatan never paid attention to Natan's comments. He had never heard from anyone else that she wasn't a decent person.

At the same time, Elizabeth arrived at 230Fifth excited to meet Ralph. The place was on top of a building, offering a view of the entire city. Colored lights adorned some tables, providing privacy.

"Elizabeth, what do you think of the place?"

"There are quite a lot of people, aren't there?"

"Well, you're not used to it."

Ralph got her a drink and placed it in front of her. Elizabeth smelled the glass first and made a face. Ralph couldn't help but laugh.

"It's for drinking, not sniffing," he said, still chuckling.

"Oops, sorry! It's a habit of mine. I associate things with their smells. Sometimes it's awful."

"Okay, what would you like to drink?"

"I've never had strong drinks before."

"Really? When was the last time you went out?"

"This is my first time," she said, a bit embarrassed.

He laughed again. When Dave told him that he should seduce and take a girl to bed, he mentioned that she was experienced and liked going out. He didn't say that she was his own sister or that she had never been out before. Ralph appreciated her innocence. He found Elizabeth beautiful and believed she could win anyone over. He thought it was unnecessary for Dave to ask him to take her to bed.

Ralph ordered another drink and distracted Elizabeth with a live music performance happening in one corner. She was truly beginning to have fun. For her, seeing people dance and conversing with someone other than her brother was good. After all, only Adam paid attention to her.

"Elizabeth, I ordered something else for you. This one is quite light, almost like a juice." Ralph said.

Elizabeth smelled the glass and caught the aroma of freshly cut fruits. She smiled and took a sip.

"Elizabeth, are you in a relationship?" Ralph asked.

"No, but my father told me I have a fiancé waiting for me until I'm old enough to get married."

Ralph became concerned. Why would Dave ask him to seduce a committed sister? Elizabeth seemed so good. Ralph started to think that he was being used for something bad. "Hold on, how old are you?" he asked.

"I'm 17," she replied.

Ralph mentally cursed his friend Dave. He had just taken a 17-year-old engaged girl to a bar.

"Elizabeth, it's getting late. Let's leave."

"Can I at least finish my drink?"

"No... I'm being kind; it's better not to...," Ralph wanted to get Elizabeth home before the sedative took effect. He had given her a small dose, and she hadn't finished her drink yet. He thought she would become more relaxed and susceptible to the idea of spending the night with him.

"Okay, then. Let's go."

Ralph began to lead her to the elevator, and Elizabeth felt dizzy. Ralph held onto her to prevent her from falling.

"Take it easy, Elizabeth. I'll get you home."

They were really close, and when the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, two men were waiting to go up.

"Ending the night, Elizabeth?"