Chapter 12 Marco's fists slowly relaxed , but his glare remained fixed on Frank as they followed him to the car . The drive to the Donato mansion was filled with silence , the evening shadows stretching long across the road . Delilah sat beside Marco , her mind racing , her thoughts circling back to her aunt in the hospital . She wanted to be there , not heading toward a forced confrontation with Marco's grandfather . But there was no way out . When they arrived at the mansion , Frank led them through the grand halls to the room where Elder Donato awaited them . The air felt cold and unforgiving . The grandfather , sitting in his wheelchair , gestured for them to sit on the two chairs placed side by side in front of him . Marco didn't hesitate , settling into his seat with his usual confident demeanor . Delilah followed , though her legs felt heavier with each step . 0.00 % 13087 Chapter 12 Two of the grandfather's men stood beside them , flanking their seats , their presence a silent but clear reminder that this wasn't just a conversation . Frank approached the table in the middle of the room , placing a document in front of them with an indifferent expression . Marco glanced at it but said nothing . Delilah , with a sinking feeling in her chest , reached for the paper . The words Application for Marriage License stared back at her . Her heart dropped . Even though Vincent's cruelty had thrown her world into chaos , a small part of her had been relieved that the marriage hadn't gone through . But now , the dreaded paperwork was here , and it felt more final than ever . Marco scoffed , breaking the silence . " Nonno , is this why you called us ? " His tone was flat , bordering on dismissive . " Yes , " the grandfather replied without hesitation . " I want you both to sign it . Since you couldn't do it in the church , you'll do it here . " Delilah's grip on the document tightened , her mind spinning . 37 15 % 13 08 Chapter 12 1288 Vouchers Marco turned his sharp gaze to her , one brow raised in question . " Well , that means you just wasted Delilah's time , Nonno . She was willing to sign it before . " His voice held a mocking edge . " Right ? " he added , his eyes locked on her . Delilah's hand trembled slightly . Marco didn't miss it - the way she hesitated , her silence stretching just a bit too long . She quickly pulled herself together , forcing a small smile as she spoke . " Yes , I'm willing . " Marco looked away , his expression hardening . He didn't like what he saw - her hesitation , her reluctance . Something inside him clenched , a feeling he didn't quite understand . He had expected more ... commitment , perhaps ? The disappointment settled deep within him . Delilah , steadying herself , tried to redirect the conversation . " But we can wait until my aunt recovers , right ? " " No , " both the grandfather and Marco responded at once . But it was Marco's voice , sharp and dangerous , that cut through the room like a blade . 24 199 13.08 Chapter 12 298 Vouchers He turned to her , eyes narrowing with a fierceness that left no room for argument . " If you think you can scheme your way out of this marriage , you're mistaken . It won't work , Delilah . Not unless I've gotten what I intend to have . " Delilah's pulse quickened . She could feel the threat in his words , even if he didn't spell it out . She wasn't sure what he meant - what exactly he was after - but it left a chill crawling up her spine . The grandfather watched the exchange with a small smile , clearly pleased with Marco's firm response . He leaned back in his wheelchair , content in knowing that his grandson was in control of the situation , guiding it exactly where he wanted it to go . Delilah sat silently , her mind trying to process her next move . But she knew one thing - Marco wasn't going to let her slip away , not without a fight . Delilah's fingers trembled slightly as she held the pen , but she forced her hand to steady as she signed the marriage license . The moment felt surreal , as if everything around her was moving in slow motion . 13.08 Chapter 12 She couldn't escape now . Marco reached for the pen next , scrawling his name across the paper without hesitation . 128Actors His jaw was clenched , his annoyance barely masked . Frank took the signed document , giving them both a curt nod before leaving the room . The other men followed suit with the grandfather , leaving only Marco and Delilah in the large , quiet space . The silence hung between them , thick and uncomfortable . Marco stood up abruptly , his chair scraping the floor as he turned and left without a word . Gino followed him , his eyes catching the slight tension in Marco's steps . Delilah remained seated , watching him leave . She didn't move , didn't try to speak . There was nothing to say . Marco's frustration was clear , and she had no desire to face the brunt of it . Outside , as Marco strode down the hallway , Gino noticed his boss's irritation . " Something bothering you , boss ? " he asked , keeping his voice 49.94 % 130803 Chapter 12 calm , though he already had an idea . 17282 Shoushars Marco's jaw tightened . " Yeah , " he said , his voice low but edged with anger . " Find out everything you can about Delilah . I don't care how deep it's buried or how hidden her past is . I want to know every single damn thing about her . How the hell did she have the nerve to try and deceive me , make me think she was actually interested in this marriage ? " Marco's voice rose , and in a flash of rage , he kicked a nearby table , sending it skidding across the room . Gino raised an eyebrow , surprised at his boss's reaction . Marco was known for being calm , calculated , and cold . Seeing him this worked up over a woman was ... .. unusual . " Is there something I'm missing ? " Gino asked carefully , unsure if he was stepping into dangerous territory . Marco took a deep breath , his chest rising and falling rapidly , but after a moment , he ran a hand through his hair , trying to calm himself . His thoughts drifted back to the day they had gone to a boutique to prepare for the wedding . He remembered it clearly . They had gone with Delilah's aunt to choose their wedding attire . 61774 12080 Chapter 12 120 / 26uchers While he had been selecting his tuxedo , Delilah had wandered off , seemingly innocent , and then walked into the changing room while he was trying on the suit . At first , he had thought she was lost , that she didn't know where she was going . He had been about to help her when , without warning , she had placed her hand on his chest . The memory of her touch still sent a jolt through him . She had trailed her fingers down his torso , stopping just before reaching his belt . He could still hear her soft voice , her teasing words . " You're playing with fire , " he had warned her , his body reacting to her proximity . And she , with that maddening smile , had whispered back , " Then let me burn . " Her fingers had grazed him before she pulled away , leaving him wanting more . But instead of continuing , she had asked him to postpone the wedding . He had agreed , like a fool , thinking she would make good on her seductive promises later . But she hadn't . And now , standing in the hallway of his grandfather's mansion , Marco realized that Delilah had 13080 Chapter 12 been playing him all along . 1258 Volicers Marco's jaw tightened as the memory faded . She wasn't just dangerous ; she was manipulative . She had toyed with him , made him want her , and then pulled back just enough to keep him hooked . Gino , noticing Marco's shift in expression , asked again , " What happened ? " Marco , not wanting to reveal how much Delilah had gotten under his skin , merely shook his head . " Just dig up what you can , " he said sharply . " I don't want any surprises . I need to know exactly who I'm dealing with . " Gino nodded , sensing the conversation was over , and followed his orders . Marco , however , remained lost in his thoughts , his frustration growing as he realized just how much Delilah had gotten under his skin . This marriage was becoming far more complicated than he had anticipated - and he wasn't sure if that made him angry or intrigued .