Chapter 3

Lena’s POV

“Why weren’t you picking up your calls? You had me worried. I called the hospital, and I was told you haven’t visited there all day. It’s 11 pm. Haven’t you seen the alley murders on the news?” My mum spoke in a rush the moment I stepped into the house, worry dripping from her voice 

“I’m getting married, Mum.” I cut in, my tone high-pitched, earning a glare from her, then it softened. 

“To Nathan? Aww,” She purred, cutely, adjusting on her wheelchair, and all her pent-up anger from earlier seemed to have dissipated into thin air, “But he didn’t say anything when he came by earlier.” 

“Who is Nathan?” Lucano’s deep voice echoed behind us.

Oh shit. 

My heart started racing in a million directions as I recalled the seriousness in his tone earlier when he said he'd chop off any man's hand he'd catch me with. 

“No one. He’s just a friend.” I cut in, voice trembling slightly. Then I trailed off, “Mum, meet my fiancé.” I added with a forced smile.

“Fiancé?” She repeated, making me realize how stupid I sounded.

“Our wedding is in three days,” I swallowed, knowing that the next bombshell would hurt her more than the last. “You’re not allowed to come.” 

Her expression shifted into oblivion. Her pupils dilated back and forth, searching the ground as though she were communicating with it. Her silence was killing me. “Mum, say something, please.”

She gave no response.

Her wheels groaned in protest as she rolled away, trying to process the information I just dumped recklessly on her. “Am I so unfit that you didn’t find me worthy to share this with me?” She finally spoke, her voice was strained, breaking my heart in half. “Am I that useless?” 

“Can you wait outside?” I turned to Lucano, his eyes protested, but he finally caved in. 

“Five minutes,” he muttered, before leaving.

Hot tears blurred my vision as I walked towards her. I felt my heart getting ripped out of my chest. “Don’t say that, Mum. You know I love you, right?” I wiped the tears from her eyes, but more kept falling. “You and Elsa mean the world to me. I promise I will explain everything someday. But now I want you to know that your daughter is happy. She’s in love,” My voice cracked, knowing I was lying to her. I didn’t love this man. If it's anything, I hated him for driving a wedge between us. 

The day was finally here, the day I say: ‘I do’ to my cold and heartless contract husband. 

I looked at the congregation, there were a lot of people gathered. Exquisite decor. Strange faces. Foreign accents. No one I could recognize. This was better anyway. 

“Do you Lucano Baricelli, take Lena Anderson, to be your lawful wedded wife? In sickness, in health, and till death do you part?” The priest's voice cut through my thoughts.

Lucano smirked at me, his eyes brimming with joy as though he had just hit the jackpot. “I do.” 

The priest turned to me. But before the priest completed the vow, I cut in. “I do,” Sounding eager.

The priest smiled, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He turned to Lucano, “You may now kiss your bride.”

Lucano stepped forward, snaking his large hand around my waist. My chest rose and fell at the close proximity. He looked into my eyes with a smoldering look, one that turned my insides to mush. “You’re stunning,” He remarked, and my heart flipped. 

“Get it together, Lena, this is all part of the script,” I muttered silently. 

 While our eyes remained locked. His thumb grazed my lips, drawing a straight line on them. It was electric, it sent chills down my spine. I bit my bottom lip, feeling my heart melting into a puddle.  Heat spread through me, yearning to be as close to him as possible.

He cupped my jaw like I was something so fragile. Delicate. My eyes closed at will, my mouth opened instinctively to grant him access. When he finally kissed me, I forgot how to breathe. Our tongues danced in synchronization inside our mouths, sucking and exchanging fluid. He tasted way better than what I imagined. He tasted like butter, whipped cream and honey. I tugged at his collar, pulling him in, wanting to merge our bodies.

He bent me in a slanted style and continued kissing me. It was a passionate moment, but what was more epic? I just shared my first kiss with the devil. I shouldn't be admitting this, but a part of me wanted more.

It was as though he read my mind, “Come on,” He erected me, “We’re leaving.” 

I didn't want to go. Didn't want to leave my family. But my legs moved under the authority and compulsion of his voice.

A sleek black limousine was parked outside, waiting for us. While I was still waiting for Lucano to finish with the man who excused him for a chat. I spotted the Chauffeur from a distance. 

His back was to me, yet his hair, his frame, even his standing posture felt way too familiar. 

As if on cue, he turned, it was no other than Nathan. 

I staggered backwards, air almost got knocked out of my lungs. His brows furrowed, from where I stood I could see his face switching from surprised to betrayed to disbelief. I had been ignoring his calls for the past three days. I couldn't bring myself to tell him. It would break his heart.

“What are you doing here?” I muttered, frozen in place. Legs shaking uncontrollably on my heels. My heart was still beating for him. My body still craved his cuddles. He was still my first love. 

“Lena,” He called, walking forward. His brows arched. “I don't understand…what is going on? Why are you dressed…” His eyes raked me from head to toe, “You are married!” He yelled. “This…this is your wedding?” His jaw dropped.

“I will explain later, please just leave for now.”

“No.” He screamed, eyes popping from his sockets, “I want to hear it, right now. Why you threw away everything we shared and betray me like this? I was going to propose to you on your birthday. But you…” 

Tears blurred my vision, my birthday was on the 21st July. Two months from now. I would have married the love of my life. But instead, I married a devil who could kill Nathan in a twinkle.

“You don't understand, he’s going to be here soon. Please just listen to me and go. I will text you.” I tried shoving him away, but the moment my eyes locked with his, it was as though the world was melting away.

“I love you, Lena. I don't know what is happening, but I know this is not you. Your mum told me there was something off about your husband. We could run away. Start a new life somewhere, just us.” He said, stubbornly pulling me closer to himself, then he kissed me deeply on the lips. It didn't compare to the kiss I shared with Lucano, but it still gave me butterflies.

I was still relishing in the bubbly feeling.

The next thing I heard was a gunshot. It happened so fast. Nathan dropped to the floor, a blood-curdling scream clawed up his throat as he cried out in agony. 

He had a bullet wound in his leg. 

When I turned, my gaze met with  Lucano. His eyes were burning with fury. Veins bulged out of his forehead. Smoke puffed out of the gun he held.

Lucano. The grim reaper. My husband had shot him.  

“Were you thinking I wouldn't find out about your little secret?” He smirked, “Nathan.”