CHAPTER 1

FIORA

I've never liked weddings–or more specifically,small weddings

I mean what the essence of a wedding if it isn't loud and proud but this is different

This is my wedding

“You look so gorgeous mamita”my grandmother says has she watches my sister fix my veil on my head

I stare at my Carolina Herrera dress in the mirror in front of me, it's simple yet elegant.The silk is soft against my skin.It has a gentle sweetheart neckline and thin straps rest on my shoulders, adding just a touch of delicacy.

The skirt falls in a perfect A-line, flowing down to the floor with an easy grace and there's a small train that trails behind

Under normal circumstances,I would be overjoyed to be wearing my dream wedding dress but sadly nothing is normal about this wedding

“Thank you, Abeula”I force a smile,when in fact happiness is far from what I feel

Rose,my best friend who was fixing my dress's train, stands up,places her hand on my shoulder and whispers “Fiora, are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“No,I would rather crawl into a hole and die” I want to say but I don't, instead I say “I'm sure,Rose”

Her face is laced with sympathy and I want to rest my head on her shoulders and cry my eyes out but there is no point in doing that right now, instead I squeeze her hand as if to say“I'll be fine,you don't have to worry about me”

There is a knock on the door and Uncle Ricardo, my dad's twin brother walks in, looking sharp in his luxurious tuxedo. He graces me with one of his

rare yet heartwarming smile

“Well,it looks like you're ready”he extended his hand “shall we?” I take it and we both make our way to the grand hall.

The grand hall is decorated with all my favorite flowers–roses, ponies and hydrangeas.

The hall is stunning and is every girl's dream.I made sure of it.I went mental for my perfect dress, the perfect venue, and the perfect shade of flowers, but it wasn’t because I cared so much,I just didn’t want to think about what the hell I was getting myself into.

The opulent grand hall buzzes with muted conversations and whispered excitement, but everything is blurred into oblivion when my gaze meets the devil incarnate or should I say my husband-to-be—Alder Kingsley. His face slowly pulls into a grin,it's sinister and threatening just like the rest of him

A lick of heat sneaks its way beneath my dress, and the room’s temperature takes a sudden hike. My throat dries and it’s exceptionally difficult to swallow.

I can't do this

I need to run away

Now

Before it too late

But I can't.if I do, this man would ruin my life,he will destroy my family and take dad away from us—from me.

I have already lost mom,I won't be able to bear losing Dad too

Speaking of dad,I look around to see if I could spot him but he is not here.Yes, our relationship has being strain this past couple of months especially when I announced Alder Kingsley was going to be his son in law but I was hoping he would push our differences aside and attend the wedding but I guess I was wrong.

I can feel Alder looming before us like a pending hurricane but I tightened my hold on Uncle Ricardo's arm in an attempt to channel the safety he represents

Before I know it,we reach the altar and a bigger hand envelops mine making my stomach muscles tighten. Uncle Ricardo glares at my husband-to-be but says nothing and Alder who seems to be enjoying himself widen his sinister grin into a maniac smile

I am rooted to the spot as the officiant start the ceremony, unable to meet Alder’s gaze

“Do you, Alder Kingsley, take Fiora to be your lawfully wedded wife,in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”the officiant asks

“I do,”Alder replies.I tremble at the authoritativeness in his tone

“Do you, Fiora Wilson, take Alder Kingsley to be your lawfully wedded husband,in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”

“I d-do”I stutter, making effort to stop myself from visibly shaking

“I now pronounce you husband and wife!”

The claps and cheers turn into wide gasps as loud footsteps echo across the hall

“Step the fuck away from my daughter Kingsley”

I shriek as I look up to see my father holding a gun to Alder's temples

“My my Enriqué this is no way to treat your new son-in-law ”Alder comments with a sardonic smile, completely unfazed by the whole situation

“I won't repeat myself Kingsley,you better comply or I would blow your fucking brains out and fed your remains to vultures”my father responses, his face could compete with a statue—cold and unmoving. This is the type of person he turns into when he feels any of us is in danger

Not only is Alder not panicked, but he also apparently has a death wish. Because he says “Go ahead do it, that's the only way you'll get me to stay away from your daughter”

Shit.

Is he crazy? How can he provoke my father like that when he’s holding a literal gun to his head?

Does he not value his life?

Because I have no doubt that dad would pull the trigger and make good on his promise.

Before he can actually do that, I jump to his side,”Dad,pls don't do this”

Dad's expression completely softens when he looks at me “Stay out of this mariquita”

“Dad,please lower the gun” I'm surprised I sound so calm despite the turmoil brewing inside of me

He doesn't listen,his grip on the gun is still firm, unwavering.

“Dad, please,” I beg again, my voice trembling now. I glance between the two of them—my father’s eyes are hard, filled with fury, while Adrian's posture and expression remain the same–completely emotionless “Stop this”

“Then come home with me mariquita,end this marriage I promise to give you anything and everything you want”

I can feel the eyes of everyone in the room burning into me,the once-celebratory atmosphere has turned into something electric, dangerous.Time seems to have frozen as the only thing I can hear is my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

I bite my lower lip so hard that I taste blood “"I can’t, Dad. I belong to Alder now—he’s my husband. I need you to accept our relationship.””

I was expecting to see anger in dad’s eyes but all I see is pain. Pain so raw it's shattering my world into a million pieces

“How can I make you understand?I'm doing this for your sake, for the sake of the family”This words hang at the tip of my tongue but I can't bring myself to say them

“You may now kiss the bride”the officiant who is just begging for a kick in the groin announces

Alder grabs me and just as his lips meets mine he is flung across the room

“Motherfucker!!”

I hear dad murmur as he stalks Alder,holds him by the collar of his shirt and hits him with the butt of the gun, sending his face flying sideways,and blood explodes from his lips.

I'm a hundred percent sure at this point that I married a psychopath because Alder coughs out blood and starts to laugh,the type of laughter you hear only in horror movies and it's extremely spine chilling and terrifying

Dad tucks his gun away and starts to punch Alder in the face “How dare you thwack. put your filthy lips thwack.on my fucking daughter thwack. I'm going to thwack. fucking kill you thwack”

“No!dad!!Please stop!!!”I yell and quickly rushed to his side

The hall is thrown into chaos and every member of my family is trying to get my dad off Alder but he isn't bulging.My little sister Eleana and every other female is brawling their eyes out

My sweet loving father is gone and all that is left is a raging monster,a monster with murder in his eyes.

Uncle Ricardo and his son,Manuel are able to get my dad off Alder momentarily but the psycho who wishes to be buried six feet under puts the final nail in his coffin by licking his lips and saying

“Your daughter’s lips tasted divine Enriqué,I wonder how it's gonna feel wrapped around my cock”

“Dad No!!!!”

I shriek as a shot rings in the air.

And then my vision turns blood red.

A scream bubbles in my throat and everything crashes down in a matter of seconds.