LOGINZayden’s POVFinally, I’d done it.I had satisfied my darkest desire — making Isabella Mendoza my wife.It wasn’t an easy feat. In fact, this had to be the most challenging thing I’d ever done. Lives were lost for this to happen. Blood had been spilled. But yet here we are.I walked down the aisle with her. Her hand locked in mine. The white dress clung to her body like it had been made for this moment — for me. She looked beautiful.I knew she hated me. In fact, hate is an understatement for what Bella felt for me right now.But I was fine with that.Hate was better than indifference. Hate meant she felt something. Hate meant she was still fighting. And I would enjoy breaking that fight, slowly, deliciously, until she was gasping my name instead of cursing it.The guests applauded as we passed. Fake smiles. Nervous laughter. They had just watched me kill a man, and now they were clapping like we were at a fairy tale wedding. No one had called the police. No one would.Because they al
Bella’s POVI stood outside the reception hall doors, clutching my bouquet so tightly the stems dug into my palms.My tears had finally dried, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion.The hallway was quiet now, not until footsteps approached from the side. I didn’t need to look to know who it was.My father stopped beside me, his suit wrinkled, his face pale and drained of colour. He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it.“He won,” I said before he could speak. My voice was flat. “Zayden won.”My father swallowed. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I’m so sorry all this happened.”“It’s too late, Dad.”He nodded slowly, eyes heavy with regret. “Are you ready?”“No.” My voice cracked. “Once I walk in there, my life is over. I’ll never be happy. Not truly.”“I know I put you in this mess,” he whispered. “I wish I could change it.”I looked at him sharply. “You had so much time to do that and now you’re sorry? Save it, Dad.”“Isabella, I know you’re upset—”Footsteps echoed, interrupting him.
Bella’s POVZayden’s words hung in the air, absurd and terrifying all at once.I couldn’t move.My eyes were locked on Matteo’s body lying on the floor. His eyes were open, staring at nothing. The man who had just threatened to destroy everything I loved was dead.And Zayden stood over him like it was nothing.The entire hall had gone deathly quiet. No one dared to speak.My father was the first to react.“You—” His voice cracked with fury as he stepped forward, face twisted with rage and disbelief. “You son of a bitch! What the hell have you done?”“He was in my way,” Zayden said, his eyes shifting from my father to me. “And I don’t like people taking what belongs to me.”My heart hammered so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.I took one shaky step forward, my dress dragging across the floor, the hem already stained with blood.“You… you killed him,” I whispered, voice barely audible. “You killed Matteo.”Zayden’s gaze locked onto mine. There was no remorse in those eyes.
Zayden’s POVIt was one hour until Bella's wedding.I wondered what she was doing now. Probably being prepped in a pretty white dress as maids tugged at her hair and fastened her shoes. Maybe she was staring at herself in the mirror, trying not to cry. Maybe she had already cried.The thought of her becoming Matteo's wife consumed me. I hated it. I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of her being called Mrs Moretti. No.I would do whatever it took to make sure that didn't happen. I had to stop this wedding.Nico sat across from me in the car. “You okay, boss?”I nodded once, staring out the window. “I’m fine.”He didn’t look convinced. “If you don’t mind me asking… What happened back there?”I looked at him. “Back where?”“In your room.” He said. “What was your mother talking about?”“Nico—”“No.” He cut me off gently. “Please don’t do that. I’ve worked with you for years, Zayden. We’ve been through too much together for you to start hiding serious shit from me.”I exhaled slowly t
Zayden’s POVI stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom, fastening the cufflinks on my black suit. The silk tie was already knotted, the jacket pressed and hanging on the back of the chair. Everything had to be perfect.Nico leaned against the wall by the window, scrolling through his phone."Where did you say the wedding was being held?" I asked without turning around.“In one of the reception halls inside the Mendoza mansion,” Nico replied. “Alejandro wanted it private and controlled. Minimal guests. Invitation-only.”I let out a quiet hum.“Smart,” I admitted. “He’s trying to avoid unnecessary attention.”“Not just attention,” Nico corrected. “He’s trying to avoid you.”That almost made me smile. I buttoned my sleeve slowly. “And security?”Nico exhaled. "Tight. Very tight. Alejandro is doing everything he can to ensure this wedding is well-organised and secure. He doesn't want anything to stop it.”I smirked. "Well. Sucks for him." I grabbed my watch from the dresser and fastene
Bella’s POVThey say a wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of a woman’s life.No one ever tells you what it’s supposed to feel like when it isn’t.The lace of my dress itched against my skin as I stood before the mirror, my fingers fumbling with the final pearl button on my sleeve.I couldn’t tell if it was my hands shaking… or my whole body. But something about me felt like one false move and I would utterly break.My reflection stared back at me like a stranger.Wide eyes. Pale cheeks. Lips slightly parted like I’d forgotten how to breathe. My hair was pinned so tight it felt like it might split my skull if I moved the wrong way.A bride. That’s what I was supposed to be. All I wanted to be. But now, my biggest dream is turning into my worst nightmare.“Are you okay?” Rosa asked me.I nodded. Somewhere down the hall, a string quartet played a soft waltz—elegant, beautiful, completely detached from the reality clawing at my chest.I inhaled slowly then held it. Trying to
Bella’s POV I woke up two hours ago, getting ready for my night out with Matteo. I slipped on my heels, taking one last look at myself in the mirror. The dress was black silk, clinging like a second skin, neckline plunging just enough to make my father pretend he didn’t notice. I took a deep
Zayden’s POV I’d had more one-night stands than I could count. Faces I forgot before the sun rose. Names I never asked for. But her? Bella. She was different. In my mind. On my skin. In the silence between my thoughts. There was something in the way she fell apart that night—quietly and desperate
Bella’s POVThat night, I stood outside my father’s office with my hand lifted, knuckles hovering inches from the door.My pulse wouldn’t slow.Everything in me screamed that what I was about to do was dangerous—but danger didn’t scare me anymore. Not after Zayden Romano. Not after the slap. Not a
The cold night air burned my lungs as I dragged from the cigarette.I didn’t even smoke….I never had.But tonight, I needed something to burn, something to choke down the chaos clawing up my throat.I stood near the side of the courtyard, hidden between tall hedges, the glowing tip of the cigarette







