Chapter 3: I'm dying for sure.

"You bastard!"

The door opened, revealing a feminine figure.

All eyes shifted to her... beneath my veil I could see how tensed Ethan suddenly became upon seeing the figure.

"Don't you know lifting a bride's veil before the completion of the ceremony brings bad luck?" she said as she walked closer to us.

Ethan let go of the veil and took a few steps away from me, tucking his hands into his pockets as the woman walked closer.

I released the breath I didn't know I had been holding.

Dad heaved a sigh of relief.

"How would I have known when I wasn't trained to?" Ethan smirked, revealing the dimple that rested on his left cheek.

Dad turned to the woman, who seemed to be in her sixties.

His eyes glinted with respect on seeing her clearly.

"Mrs. Marcus... what a nice day to finally meet you in person," Dad gushed and nudged me.

"Greet your mother-in-law," he whispered in and ordering tone .

"Good day, Ma," I greeted obediently.

She nodded and turned to Ethan.

"Your dad couldn't make it, but..."

Ethan cut her off and eventually started dragging me towards the aisle.

"Let's get the wedding done," he ordered

We began the ceremony. The priest blessed us through a video call, which seemed absurd.

We exchanged rings, skipped the kissing part, then proceeded to sign the documents.

Meanwhile, throughout the ceremony, Mom and Emma were nowhere to be found.

Once we concluded, Dad handed me over to him without a single goodbye, except for his cold command.

"Don't dare do anything stupid."

My few belongings were carried to the car where Mr. Sterling was waiting.

The moment we got outside, I stood for a few seconds, staring at the mansion as memories rushed in.

When I was first brought here.

How I thought I would finally be getting the princess treatment I deserved as the only child.

Now, staring at how I was walking out without experiencing all I had dreamed of gave me goosebumps...

"Aren't you coming?" Ethan's voice boomed behind me, holding the car door open for me.

I furrowed, isn't he supposed to be cold and towards me? why is he holding the door on my behalf?

"I'm waiting" he said.

I took a deep breath and got in. He shut the door and entered through the other side.

I stared at the mansion once more, hoping to see Mom standing by the door, waving at the car... at least that's what I see in movies.

But I guess I'm different, and that pained me even more.

"You must already miss your parents," Ethan suddenly said as the driver pulled away.

I frowned.

why does he sound so soft towards me?

I wanted to say those words but i stopped myself and followed the flow.

"Not really," I replied, and he smiled slightly.

"Trying to act tough, huh? Well, that's why I prefer you over Elena...your sister" he said.

but I never knew him except on tv, so, how did he end up knowing my name?

"how did you know me..." I cleared my throat.

"I meant my sister?" I mumbled.

He turned and leaned in as if he were trying to make me see him clearly.

"You really don't remember me?" he asked.

I blinked and shifted back.

He smiled and sat upright.

"Well, the world knows your vile sister, most especially from the news when she was dragged by the cops for finding drugs in her bag " he replied.

My chest tightened.

I turned to face the window as tears blurred my vision.

Sure, the world knows. but what they don't know is the drugs were in Emma's bag and not mine.

My parents didn't want their golden girl to get dirty. So they pointed at me instead and let the cops drag me away.

"But... what if she's not who you think she is?" I whispered.`

He smiled with a spark of admiration in his eyes.

"This is why I chose you over her... Look, you're still defending her. Indeed, you're too kind," he praised me.

My heart burned, causing my hands to cling tightly to my gown.

I turned slightly toward him.

His eyes were filled with admiration for Emma, and it raised one question in my heart.

What would he do to me when he discovered the truth?

I shook my head, unable to think about the punishment he would inflict on me.

Then, suddenly, he rested his hand on my clenched fist.

"You don't have to be scared," he whispered, and strangely, I felt a little calmer.

But the rosary tied around his hand caught my attention.

It looked familiar.

"Where did you get this from?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He chuckled softly and said nothing, giving me the find-out yourself syndrome.

Then silence descended.

No one uttered a word until we arrived at his residence.

It was already dark outside when we arrived.

Ethan stepped out first, opened the door for me, and before my feet could touch the ground, he lifted me into his arms in a bridal carry.

My heart jumped into my stomach.

"Wh... what are you doing?" I stuttered.

He smiled and said nothing.

He carried me inside just like that.

I couldn't even get the chance to admire the mansion because my eyes were on him the whole time.

The way he maintained the smile on his face and that side dimple.

Gosh! For a few minutes, I forgot all my worries just by staring at him.

We entered a well-decorated room.

He walked to the bed and gently set me down like a piece of glass that would shatter if handled carelessly.

He bent to my legs, lifted them onto his knees, and removed my shoes slowly and carefully.

I froze for a second.

Then he dropped them and rose.

"The maids will attend to you," he said and walked to the door.

Then he stopped and turned.

"You smell nice. I love it," he complimented.

My face burned pink beneath the veil.

He smiled and walked out.

It wasn't up to a minute after he left that some girls walked in with a set of clothes.

I was taken to the bathroom, where they bathed me.

They massaged my body.

After the massage, the maids brought out a seamless dark net gown that would only cover my private areas, accompanied by a dark veil.

"I can't wear this!" I protested.

"Master Ethan picked this himself," one of them said.

I hesitated for some time, but after much persuasion, I agreed and wore it.

It revealed my curves, but thanks to the veil that covered me from my head down to my knees, I was able to feel comfortable.

Then a voice called out,

"Master Ethan wants his wife's presence."

The next minute, we stood in front of Ethan's door.

One of the maids knocked.

"Come in," his baritone voice echoed.

My heart pounded as I stared at the doorknob like it was a weapon fashioned against me.

I sighed, opened it, stepped inside, and the maids locked the door behind me.

The room was huge, well-decorated, but dimly lit.

My eyes searched the room and found Ethan sitting on the bed, shirtless, his legs crossed, with a glass of wine in his hand.

I stood there, not knowing what to do.

Then he stood, set the glass down, and slightly staggered toward me.

I shifted back with every step he took toward me until my back hit the wall.

His long, strong hands flew over my head and pressed against the wall behind me, caging me between his arms.

He leaned in.

The scent of liquor mixed with his clean cedarwood cologne reached me.

He rested his head on my collarbone, causing his hot breath to send chills down my spine.

I swallowed hard as my eyes scanned his well-carved collarbone, which rose with every breath... then down to his hard chest.

The thought of running my hands over him came to mind, but I quickly shook it off and lowered my head.

Then he whispered,

"Emma, you smell so good that..."

He paused and lifted my chin with a single finger.

"I wanna eat you up," he said.

Before I could blink, he lifted the veil off my face.

I froze.

My chest grew heavy.

Slowly, his once-glinting eyes turned into a deep frown the moment he saw my face.

I needed no one to tell me that I was dying tonight.