Chapter 2

“What the hell is this?!” Dominic Costa’s shout echoed through the room as he saw that the bride he wanted had been replaced.

“Please don’t be mad, Mr. Costa,” Veronica pleaded.

“Don’t you dare play tricks on me, Mrs. Marino! What I want is your daughter, but why did you give me this ugly duckling?”

Belladonna lowered her head. Ah… she really was the ugly duckling. She and Bianca were nothing alike. If they were related by blood, would she also be as beautiful as Bianca?

“We didn't mean to deceive you, Mr. Costa. Bianca didn't reject you either, but she's just not ready to marry you because she has to go pursue her career. I beg you, don't be upset. . . and for as long as Bianca is gone, our second daughter will take her place.”

“Do you think I'm willing to marry this ugly duckling, Mrs. Marino?”

“I know Belladonna isn’t as beautiful as Bianca. But for the time being, you can marry her first. She will act as your wife for a short time, and when Bianca returns, she will surely be ready to marry you. So you can marry Bianca.”

“Then what is the point of this marriage? Do you think I have time to play along with this rubbish?”

“Mr. Costa, all the guests have arrived, and everyone knows that this is your wedding day. If we cancel this wedding out of the blue, not only will I be embarrassed, but you will be embarrassed too. To prevent that from happening, I will sacrifice my second daughter to be your temporary wife until Bianca returns,” Veronica said, not giving the slightest thought to Belladonna’s feelings.

Dominic shot Belladonna a dirty look. He never wanted her because all he wanted was Bianca. But this urgent situation seemed to force him to marry the ugly duckling.

"Tsk, once your daughter is back, don't forget to hand her over to me. If you don't, don't expect me to show you any mercy!" Dominic walked away, his emotions flooding over him.

He couldn't wait to get Bianca, but she had left him just to pursue her career. This time, he would forgive the Marino family. But when Bianca returned and was not handed over to him, he would settle the score with that family.

Veronica and Phillips breathed a slight sigh of relief. For now, they could overcome the problem that had arisen. Belladonna, whom they had sacrificed, could only give in to marrying a scary man who had never liked her. Even though the bride had been replaced, the wedding still went ahead to save their reputation, and Belladonna had to sacrifice her life to repay their kindness.

*****

Belladonna dragged her wedding dress and a suitcase as she followed Dominic into his luxurious mansion.

Dominic hurried along, paying no attention to Belladonna, who was now nothing more than his maid.

They were greeted by the housemaids. Some of them bowed their heads, while others stole glances at the bride walking behind Dominic.

Belladonna was overwhelmed. The wedding dress she was wearing made it hard for her to move, especially when she had to climb the stairs, which made her even more uncomfortable.

Dominic catches a glimpse of her but doesn't care. He takes another step, climbing the stairs to his room on the upper floor. He will never acknowledge Bella because she is not the bride he wants. The one who deserves to be his wife and the mother of his children is Bianca Marino.

“Wait!” Belladonna begged, struggling to lift her suitcase up the stairs.

Dominic ignored her plea completely, climbing on ahead until he was at the top, leaving Belladonna behind, still trying to lift her suitcase and dress up the stairs. It was exhausting. It was all because of her dress, which was heavy and didn’t suit her.

The sound of a door slamming shut echoed, and Belladonna looked toward the room where Dominic had just entered. He didn’t say anything to Belladonna, and she didn’t know what to do next. She kept walking, knowing she could not back out now that she had become Dominic's wife, even though he did not like her. All she had to do was hold on until Bianca returned, at which point she would be ready to become Dominic's real wife. She must not let herself forget that she was only a replacement bride for her sister, Bianca.

Dominic looked at the door when Belladonna entered his room. He looked upset. He hadn't asked her to be there, but how dare she enter without permission? Did she think she was already the mistress of this house?

“Who told you to come into this room?” Dominic's question made Belladonna stop in her tracks and put down her suitcase.

“I'm sorry, you didn't tell me anything, so I didn't know where to go.” Belladonna looked down, not daring to look into his eyes, which she found intimidating.

“Don't you dare think you're the mistress of this house! You're not worthy at all!” He stepped closer to Belladonna and stood right in front of her.

He stared at her so menacingly that Belladonna lowered her head even further. Frankly speaking, she was scared of him, especially since the sheer hatred in his eyes was so obvious.

“Take it off!” Dominic's single command made Belladonna look up because she didn't get what he meant.

“What?” she asked hesitantly in a low voice.

“I said, take it off! That wedding dress is not for you to wear because it was designed specifically for Bianca.”

“I'll take it off after this, and I'll give it back to you. I didn't mean to wear it, but this is the only dress I have to wear.”

“I won't accept any excuses. So, take off that dress right now!” Dominic's thunderous shout made her even more frightened.

“I'll take it off.” Her hands were shaking. Now she knew why Bianca had run away from him.

“You're wasting my time!” Dominic yanked the dress off her violently, causing her body to jolt forward. She almost bumped into Dominic, but he quickly dodged her, causing her to stumble and fall onto the floor with a thud.

Belladonna cried out in pain as her knees hurt from hitting the floor, as did her hands, which had to support her body abruptly. She writhed in pain, but Dominic just stared at her without any pity.

“It hurts. Can you not treat me so harshly?” she pleaded.

“It hurts? You’d better endure the pain because you will get more pain after this. Don’t blame me, blame yourself for agreeing to replace Bianca. You’re just an unwanted bride for me. So I will never treat you as my wife!”