Chapter One

Lucia's POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my wedding dress pooling around my feet. My lips curved into the smallest smile.

I looked so beautiful.

My chestnut-brown hair in soft curls fell around my back, the strands loosely braided together and pinned up with delicate pearl beads incorporated into the arrangement.

A cathedral veil, sheer, cascaded down my back. The dress was skin-tight from my waist before it was layered into miles of Satin and Lace.

The gown sported a sweetheart neckline embroidered with minute crystals that glittered with every move, and the long lace sleeves fit snugly like a second skin.

For the first time in a long time, I actually felt happy.

This was not just my wedding; this was the alliance between the Morettis and the Romano family.

After six months, I was getting married to Adrian Moretti.

Maybe this will be my chance to leave my past behind.

As I turned around, the door of the dressing room swung open, and my mother sauntered in.

Lines were beginning to etch across her face, a problem that annoyed her more than anyone else in the world. Her hazel eyes, piercing as they are, took a quick glance at me before she gave a stiff nod.

“Presentable,” she said, and my smile returned to my lips, a little wider this time.

She walked closer to me and tidied up my veil, which rested on my shoulder.

“Now listen closely, Lucia.” I nodded in response to her command.

“Once you are married, your husband comes first before yourself or anyone. He is everything to you; his word is law.”

She looked me straight in the eyes.

“A man's pride is more important than a woman's happiness. Never question his words, and do not humiliate him.

“If he becomes agitated, apologize. If he gives an order, you obey.”

Her voice was steady, devoid of emotion.

“Your role as a wife in this marriage is to support your husband. Men lead, and women follow. That's how power works.”

I nodded.

“And you know the purest way for a man to show love is by—”

“Hitting me hard till my body is bruised, mother.”

She smiled before she continued.

“When your husband seeks pleasure outside, know it is normal because you will always be the wife, the one with the ring; that's what makes you more special than the women he sleeps with outside.

“That's how his love is shown in another way, and you will be devoted only to him, Lucia.” She said,

“I know, mother, and thank you for reminding me one last time.”

“Very good,” and with that, she turned and was out of my dressing room, and just as she left, the silence descended.

I looked back at my reflection in the mirror and for a second I thought I felt a stranger watching me.

My heart tripped as I spun around, but there was no one. The room was vacant, but the presence I felt was way too familiar.

A slow, drawn-out breath fell from my lips.

I am just imagining things, I told myself silently. I shook my head as I tried to banish all thoughts from my past and today.

I faced my reflection once again. I adjusted my smile until it was how Adrian likes them.

He taught me how to perfect my smile. My smile should be an average of forty degrees from the horizontal plane.

It took me three months to perfect it.

The door burst open again, making me turn around again as my father stood in the room with my niece, who was my flower girl, and bridesmaids who were Adrian's sisters, trailing behind him.

“It's time.”

My smile became wider as I nodded.

My hand found my father's arm.

“Do not embarrass me today, Lucia,” he said through clenched teeth.

“I will not, Father,” I said softly, but he did not reply.

Together, we walked out of the bridal suite.

The wedding was at the Moretti Estate Cathedral, a stunning private chapel on the Moretti Estate property.

The entire setup was just as Adrian likes it – white roses lined the aisle, chandeliers lit the room, and a quiet quartet played softly to fill the atmosphere.

The massive doors swung open; all the guests stood in unison.

My father led me down the aisle. I managed to keep my perfect smile on my face as I looked ahead to the altar.

Adrian was at the altar in his tailored black tuxedo.

But he didn't look happy at all. In fact, he looked mad, extremely mad.

“What the hell did you do, Lucia?” My father whispered in my ear as we passed some of the guests without turning.

“I… I don't know.”

“Useless,” he clicked his tongue before continuing down the aisle.

Upon reaching the altar, he placed my hand into Adrian's. His hand felt cold against mine, an uncomfortably tight squeeze.

I looked at him, confused. What had happened? Had I done something wrong?

I'll ask him later, I reassured myself.

The officiant cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today to witness the holy union of Adrian Moretti and Lucia Romano–”

“Skip the trash speech,” Adrian interrupted impatiently. “ I have more important things to do.”

The officiant quickly swallowed. “Of course.” He fumbled and opened his book.

“Adrian Moretti, do you take Lucia Romano to be your lawful wife, to stand beside her in prosperity and hardship, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“And Lucia Romano, do you take Adrian Moretti to be your lawful husband, to love, honor, and cherish him for the rest of your life?”

“I do.”

Adrian and I exchanged our rings.

The officiant smiled awkwardly. “By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Adrian took a step towards me and lifted his hand towards my cheek. Just as his lips touched mine–

BANG.

A shot rang out through the chapel. Warm liquid splashed on my face.

Adrian's body suddenly felt stiff, and for a moment, everything stopped. Then Adrian's eyes went blank, and his body hit the white marble floor with a sickening thud.

Screams erupted from all over the chapel, but I stood completely paralyzed on the altar, unable to move, unable to breathe, only able to stare at Adrian's dead body, until a cold, familiar voice echoed through the silence.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Lucia.”

My head immediately turned towards the source of the voice, and my eyes widened.

I could not believe who was standing there.

“Damien.”