Chapter six

Bella POV.

The applause still echoed through the hall, but to me, it sounded far away, like noise underwater. My fingers tightened around the bouquet as Don Great slowly stepped back from me. His expression remained calm and unreadable, like marrying me had changed nothing for him. But for me, everything had changed.

The priest kept smiling while the guests clapped and raised their glasses in celebration. Some women looked at me with envy while others looked at me with pity. Poor Bella. Married to the most dangerous man in the city. I could almost hear their thoughts.

Don Great suddenly offered me his arm. The movement was smooth, controlled, powerful. Every eye in the room followed him. I hesitated for a second before placing my hand on his arm. The moment I touched him, a strange chill ran through me. Not fear. Not exactly. Something darker. Something dangerous.

He leaned closer slightly. “Smile,” he murmured softly. “Unless you want them to think I forced you.”

My jaw tightened immediately, but I forced a smile anyway. The guests cheered louder. What a perfect lie.

We slowly walked through the hall together while people congratulated us one after another.

“Congratulations, Don.”

“You chose well.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“May your marriage last forever.”

I almost laughed at that last one. Forever? I was not even sure I would survive this marriage.

Suddenly, a tall man stepped in front of us holding a glass of wine. He looked around Don Great’s age, maybe older. Sharp eyes. Expensive suit. Dangerous smile.

“Now this,” he said while looking at me carefully, “is a surprise.”

Don Great’s face hardened slightly.

Interesting.

“So you do know how to marry after all,” the man continued casually.

The air between them changed instantly. Not friendly. Not warm. It felt like two predators staring at each other.

“Watch your mouth, Viktor,” Don Great said calmly.

Viktor only smirked before looking back at me. “Bella, right?” he asked smoothly. “You’re braver than most people in this city.”

I gave a polite smile. “Thank you.”

“Or maybe foolish,” he added.

Don Great’s expression darkened immediately, and for one dangerous second, the entire hall became silent. Even the music seemed quieter.

Viktor noticed it too, but instead of backing down, he smiled wider. “Oh,” he said softly. “This one matters already.”

Don Great stepped closer slowly. Every guard nearby became alert instantly.

“You talk too much,” Don Great said quietly.

The warning in his voice was deadly, but Viktor only lifted his glass casually. “My mistake.”

Then he leaned slightly toward me. “Good luck, Mrs. Great.”

Something about the way he said it made my skin crawl.

Before I could react, he disappeared into the crowd.

I looked up at Don Great carefully. “Friend of yours?” I asked.

“No.”

The answer came too fast. Cold. Sharp.

Before I could ask anything else, another group approached us. Politicians. Businessmen. Powerful people. All smiling too much. All pretending they were not afraid of the man standing beside me.

But I noticed the truth.

Nobody looked Don Great directly in the eyes for long.

Nobody, not even men twice his age, that was power.

Real power and somehow, I now belonged to him.

The thought made my stomach tighten.

Hours passed slowly. The wedding hall became louder as more alcohol flowed. Music filled the air while people danced, laughed, and celebrated. Meanwhile, I felt like a prisoner sitting on a throne.

Everywhere I turned, guards watched. Doors stayed protected. Even the servants looked nervous around Don Great.

Then suddenly, a scream shattered the music.

The entire hall froze.

My head turned immediately toward the entrance.

A man had been dragged inside by Don Great’s guards. Blood covered his face.

My heartbeat stopped.

The guests stepped back instantly in fear. Nobody spoke. Nobody moved.

The injured man struggled desperately against the guards. “Please!” he shouted. “Please forgive me! I swear I didn’t mean to betray you!”

The room became deadly silent, slowly, I looked at Don Great, he calmly picked up his wine glass, no emotion, nothing.

Like this was completely normal.

“Don…” the man cried again. “Please!”

My chest tightened painfully.

Betray? What was happening?

Don Great finally stood up slowly, and the entire room stiffened immediately. Even the air felt heavier.

He walked toward the bleeding man without rushing. Calm. Controlled. Terrifying.

The guards forced the man onto his knees.

“Please,” the man whispered weakly.

Don Great crouched in front of him. “You stole from me,” he said quietly.

“I can explain!” he said his was shaked

“You lied to me.” don said

The man started shaking violently. “I was desperate—”

Don Great suddenly grabbed his jaw hard. The movement was so fast that it made me flinch.

“And now,” he said softly, “you embarrassed me on my wedding day.”

Fear exploded across the man’s face.

The guests looked horrified, but nobody dared interfere.

Nobody.

Don Great slowly stood again before adjusting his sleeves calmly. “Take him away.”

The man broke instantly.

“No! NO PLEASE—”

The guards dragged him out while he screamed desperately for mercy. The sound echoed through the hall long after he disappeared.

Silence followed, Heavy silence.

Then Don Great turned back toward the guests.

And smiled like I could see the real devil in his eyes. “As I was saying,” he said smoothly, “enjoy the evening.”

The music slowly started again. People forced nervous laughter, but the mood had completely changed.

My hands felt cold, this man was terrifying not because he shouted or because he threatened people but because he stayed calm while destroying them.

Don Great returned to my side. “You look pale,” he said casually.

I stared at him. “That man…” My voice came out quieter than I wanted. “What will happen to him?”

Don Great picked up his drink again. “That depends on my mood later.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

He looked at me carefully then, and for the first time that night, his eyes softened slightly. Only slightly.

“You’re scared,” he said

I swallowed hard but forced myself to meet his eyes. “Shouldn’t I be?”