Chapter 5

KIRA’S POV

I looked at myself in the mirror, for the second time that day, all glamoured up, but this time I wasn't clad in a white wedding dress. A blue gown hugged my curves, accentuating my figure beautifully.

A smile tugged at my lips as I noticed how my eyes sparkled, perfectly matching the colour of the dress. But then my conversation with Adrian crept back into my mind. And Suddenly, the urge to tear the dress off overwhelmed me, and the smile faded, my expression mirroring the emptiness I felt inside.

***

"You'll be going," he had said with authority, his eyes holding a stern glare similar to mine.

“What makes you think I’ll listen to you? I thought I was just your brother’s sloppy seconds. So why are you so eager to show me off?” I challenged him.

He looked at me, his face expressionless, making one think he wasn't affected by my words, but the way his fist tightened beside him hinted otherwise. It was enough for me to know I had gotten to him.

“I couldn’t care less if you were everyone’s sloppy seconds. How deluded you must be to think I’d ever consider you my woman—let alone my wife.” He smirked, stepping closer, “And I don't know what fairytale you think you're in but you're not going to that party to be shown off as my wife. You're nothing more of a consort to me, and that's all you'll ever be. So, I’d advise you to shut that mouth of yours, and start preparing for your husband's release party.

"I hate you," I whispered, letting a tear slip from my eyes. His eyes held mine, his eyes got soft for a second, as he held my chin, his face barely an inch away from mine. I could feel his breath on my cheek, and the vibrations of his voice as he spoke, "Oh, This is just the beginning, Little Rebel." he said, patting me on my shoulder.

***

The sound of soft music met my ears as I came down the stairs, my eyes blinking softly at the colored lights. I wore a frown contrary to what I was told by my ‘husband’, but I couldn't help the slight tug on my lip when I noticed Aunt Linda standing, my surprise clearly evident when I saw her dressed in her maid attire as she stood beside my father.

My devil incarnate of a Father couldn't even allow her to wear a proper dress.

"Father," I greeted, not bowing my head this time like I usually do.

“At the wedding today, you looked ready to give up your life for her, so I brought her to you,” he sneered, shoving Aunt Linda toward me, causing her to stumble. “The old hag is of no use to me anyway. Consider her my wedding gift to you. Be a good wife to Azrael, or you’ll have me to answer to.” He smirked before turning to leave.

I rushed to Aunt Linda, pulling her into a tight hug, relief flooding through me as I inhaled her familiar scent. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Go inside and get settled.”

Now that Aunt Linda was here safe with me, the only other thing I needed to get back was Dylan. I will not let them take away the one thing that mattered to me. I won't let Kayla have the only love out of my life. She can have Adrian for all I care but Dylan was mine, and it was time I stood up for myself.

"Kira!" I heard someone call my name immediately I stepped into the hall. I looked to my right to see my stepmother, Sasha, coming towards me, her fake smile blinding.

"Oh my! You look so beautiful!" She stood in front of me, as she grabbed my arms, pulling me towards her before air kissing me.

I only looked at her, not giving in to the urge to drag her by the hair, knowing the whole act was fake.

“You look just like your mother, Tasha—so innocent, so lovely. And just like her, life has been so unkind to you. Ohh, you poor pathetic thing,” she hissed, her lips curling into a smirk. Hearing her talk about my mother, I felt my body burn with rage. I took her hand that had held my arms, dragging it forcefully away from my body, the scowl evident on my face.

"Don't you dare say my mother's name or come close to me again!" I said before walking away from her.

I watched Adrian, everything about him radiated authority and arrogance, and I began to wonder if this was who I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. He was cruel and different from Dylan in every possible way, and that stark contrast made the thought of being married to him all the more unbearable.

I turned to my other side to see Dylan, his eyes roaming everywhere like he was searching for someone or something.

I realized Kayla wasn’t with him, and I let a sigh leave my lip, feeling my feet take me towards him. Maybe they were no longer together and he was searching for me, to tell me he was sorry, and he was ready to fight for our love.

"Kira" he greeted first. He stood up straight, dropping the glass of wine he was holding on the table close to him.

"You're here," I said.

"Of course, I'll be here. It's my brother's release party." he smiled, causing a tug on my heart. Maybe we still had a chance, I thought to myself. "You look beautiful tonight. I mean you've always looked beautiful, but you look more beautiful tonight." he rambled and I couldn't help but let out a laugh, the anxiety I felt earlier finally leaving me. This was Dylan's effect. Only Dylan could make me feel this way.

"You look good, too." I smiled back at him.

"How have you been?" He asked.

“I have—I’ve been—I’ve missed you. I miss you, Dylan,” I stammered, my hands trembling at my sides.

“Kira, it’s over between us. You know that. I don’t love you anymore.”

“You’re lying,” I replied, my voice firm despite the chaos inside me.

“Kira…” he said softly, my name barely escaping his lips, as if saying it drained all his strength.

I quickly grabbed his hands, not wanting him to distance himself away from me again, "I know you're not doing this of your own free will. I know they've something against you. I know you still want this. I see it in the way you look at her, it's not real." my breath hitched, my throat getting tight, filled with the words I wanted to say but I couldn't spill, " I know you don't love her the way you love me. Dylan, we still have time…" Suddenly I felt someone grab my shoulder, roughly dragging me away from him.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I looked up to see an angry Kayla Staring down at me, her glare threatening to drown me.

"Kayla…"

"Don't you dare! You're a married woman, have some shame!" She spat, her loud voice calling the attention of everyone else in the room.

It felt like everyone’s eyes were on me, and my breath caught in my throat."It's not like that…"

"It's not like what Kira? You're here touching my fiancee like you didn't just commit to his brother a few hours ago!" she said, making it sound like I had cheated on Dylan with his brother.

“Dylan is mine, you whore,” I whispered, barely loud enough for even myself to hear. But Kayla caught it. Without warning, she grabbed me and slapped me hard across the face, sending me stumbling to the ground.

"That's enough!" I heard someone say just as I landed on the floor. Adrian stood in front of me, his eyes glaring hard at Kayla, the fear evident in her face.

Adrain harshly pulled me up from the floor, bringing me face to face with Kayla, Dylan, and the entire room of stunned guests. The silence was deafening as all eyes fixed on me. I instinctively turned, ready to run, but Adrian caught my arm and shoved me back toward Kayla.

“Where do you think you’re going? Hit her back,” he demanded.

I looked up, shocked. “What?”