The Sensible Choice

Chapter 1 (Ellie)

"I told you already, this is not about love; it's just the most convenient and sensible option. My grandfather made that fucking clause just to impose his will one last time. Well, I found the practical solution, and that's it. There is no more to the story!"

Way to rain on my parade. Here I was, walking, all excited to show my fiancé the latest message regarding our wedding, which was scheduled to happen in just two months, and I heard him saying this.

I covered my mouth and held my breath to continue listening to this conversation that was obviously not meant for my ears.

I can only hope. Maybe I am hearing this wrong, although I get the feeling I am about to be sucker punched.

"Come on, cuz, tatonne adored you. He always thought of you as the obvious successor to the family business, so why are you complaining?"

I recognize that voice. Tommaso, the sleazeball, is Dante's older cousin. That guy has always given me the creeps, but I haven't said anything since I only started dating Dante eight months ago. 

I know; it's my fault for believing the fairytales of knowing right away when you find your soulmate. What a way to get a reality check or, should I say, a slap on my face?

"Well, you are not the one being forced to marry to keep the realm of a business I took to the next level. We were a regional firm, and now we are national with chances of an international contract. I don't have time for relationships and all of this nonsense. You know that after Natasha, I swore to never get involved with anyone else."

This is getting interesting and more hurtful by the minute. Did I enter an alternative universe where the enigmatic and hardworking charming prince who courted me relentlessly for weeks before I accepted our first date had transformed into the villain of my story?

"Dante, let's be realistic here. Ellie is wonderful, and you know you like her."

"Like me"! What the actual fuck is happening here? Petro, Dante's best friend, is now trying to defend me. And, my soon-to-be husband only "likes" me?

So, why in the world did this man insist on proposing and having a quick wedding? Well, I know the reason now. I am just a checkmark on his to-do list to keep his position at the company.

I should have known. We hadn't been dating for even a year, and I was stupid to think Dante loved me as much as I did. I fell for him fast and hard. Granted, my dating experience has been limited, but I could swear we had a connection. Now, I know it was all an illusion to make me fall.

Like a spider creating an intrinsic web to catch the unsuspecting butterfly.

"Pietro, I am doing what I need to do. You know my lifestyle. After Natasha, I have dated many women. Frankly, none were "wife" material, regardless of how great they were in bed. But when I met Ellie just a few weeks after nonno passed and left that stupid clause in his last will, I knew I had found the perfect choice," says Dante, like he is just reciting his balance sheet. "I get a good girl to play the role of the wife. Ellie is educated and has good social skills. My Nonna adores her, and most importantly, she won't bother me because she is entertained with her little business. While she pretends to work, I can remain focused on my job and continue building my empire. She is the sensible choice."

"It doesn't hurt that she has a fuckable body, right?" Tommaso comments with a chuckle.

"Hey, watch it, stupido. She might have been my choice by logic, not heart, but she is still my fiancé, so you better respect what is mine."

"Dante, Dante, Dante, still not learning to share. You should let me play if you don't care about her."

At that, I heard a scuffle, most likely Dante defending his property—not because he loves me, but because he can't accept anyone threatening his command, and his cousin is playing with fire.

"Gentlemen, can you two calm down? Tomasso, please stop being so crass, and Dante, if you can't see how lucky you are to have found Ellie, you don't deserve her."

Aww, my heart—at least a decent man in that group. I do like Pietro; too bad he is on the wrong side because now, this is war.

Dante's words kept repeating in my head: the good girl, choice by logic, little business, pretending to work, sensible choice. That's it; let's show this fucker who is Eleanor Gallagher!

I am not here to be nobody's trophy wife or duty. I want to have my place in someone's heart, not for what I can give them but because they genuinely love me. I already lived a life of being the "accommodating Ellie," and it took me too many years and tears to get out of that cage; I am not stupid enough to knowingly walk straight into another.

Now that I understand how good Dante Perosi is as an actor, I must play the same game.

The sensible solution would be to walk to him and break our engagement. But where is the fun in that?

I don't feel sensible or nice anymore. I am mad and hurt, and frankly, I want to burn things down. Since I know that arson is a crime, I'd rather take time to plan my next steps.

Well, Dante Perosi, let's see if you still think I'm the sensible choice for a wife after I'm done with you.

-----AUTHOR'S NOTE---------------

Guys, I am back!! Please read and vote. More importantly, let me know what you think and what kind of funny revenge things should Ellie use....hey, maybe some of your ideas make it into the story!