The Devil's Wife

9. A Sweet Traditional Wedding

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"Is it just me or is this going way too fast?" Eden sighed as Andria fixed her veil.

"My darling, this is a wedding your mother wanted happening. Be grateful that the man you are marrying is someone as nice and sweet as Alex and not some thrice divorced, twice widowed asshole!" Her best friend rolled her eyes as the last of the flower on the back of the veil was fixed.

"You look absolutely gorgeous!" Sasha clapped as she wiped away tears. Tears that her mother should have shed.

But no, she was out there, wearing a dress meant for s*x club orgies and predating on rich Italians.

In her words, Italians were too open-minded to look down on an affair or two.

Eden was sure she had picked that notion from some outdated Harlequin novel.

But on second thought, did she really want her mother fussing over her today?

Oh sure, any daughter would want some delicate treatment from their doting mother on her special day, but their relationship was far from delicate or special, and her mother was the farthest thing from doting.

"Thanks, Sasha. I appreciate it." Eden forced a smile, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

The ivory lace of the wedding gown clung to her slender figure. There were flower embroidery littered everywhere. It was a beautiful. Her mother was completely against its conservative design but Alessandro had looked like he was about to pass out when he first saw her in the dress.

She took a deep breath, feeling the corset cinch tight around her waist, the fabric whispering against her skin.

"You okay?" Andria's eyes searched hers.

"Is this right decision?" She whispered. "I feel like I am jumping into a fire without much thought."

Sasha, with the wisdom that came with her age and her experience in marriage, let out a laugh. "Weddings do make us feel like that, Eden. It's completely normal. What's a wedding without a jittery bride?"

Andria nodded in agreement. "But remember, you're not just marrying Alex. You're marrying into a family that's more loving than your own."

Eden chuckled humorlessly. "Than my own? I did not know I even had a family to begin with."

She felt a twinge of regret for the bitterness that had crept into her voice. It wasn't Andria's fault that her mother was... well, her mother.

"Let's go," Eden said, her voice stronger than she felt, taking the bouquet of white and yellow roses from the vanity table.

The two bridesmaids flanked her as they made their way through the grand hallway of the venue, their heels clicking against the marble floor.

As they reached the closed double door, the event organizer nodded at them. He had been informed that no one would walk her down the aisle.

Of course, her mother had thrown a tantrum over the arrangement but Eden, for once, had made it perfectly clear to her mother that Aria Wellington's history in marriages had made her the worst contestant to hand Eden over to Alessandro.

She also reminded Aria that the marriage into the Gretto family was something that she needed to last indefinitely and therefore she should not take any risk on the subject.

Aria felt insulted but she had let Eden be.

After all, her daughter was doing just what she wanted. She did not want to twist her arm and make her pull out of the arrangement.

As long as the Wellington brand was merging with the Grettos, Aria Wellington was ready to entertain whatever childish whims her offspring had.

"Are we ready?" The event organizer asked Eden after making sure all the technicalities inside were on standby.

Eden looked between her best friend and her assistant and upon receiving their encouraging looks, nodded at him with a smile.

The doors swung open to reveal the grand ballroom decked with more flowers than a botanical garden.

The aisle was lined with the most prestigious guests from the upper class of New York society.

Eden felt their eyes on her, their whispers of curiosity and judgement like a worms crawling on her skin.

She looked ahead.

There he stood, a stranger who felt more at home than her only 'family' ever had.

Alessandro grinned boyishly at her, his eyes had stars in them.

When she hesitated to take a step forward in sync with the practiced music, he gestured encouragingly, his animated motions making her finally smile and erasing all the discomfort she felt.

As Eden glided down the aisle, the whispers grew into a murmur.

Her ears tuned into the beautiful piece that Luigi Gretto had himself composed, and her eyes registered nobody but the man she was about to marry.

The scent of fresh roses filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of champagne and wealth. The chandeliers above cast a warm glow, their crystals twinkling like a thousand eyes watching her every step.

Eden's heart raced as she approached the altar where Alessandro stood, his gaze never leaving hers. Despite the grandeur of the setting, it was his simple, genuine smile that calmed her nerves.

"Hey there, beautiful!" He winked at her as he took her hand, making Eden giggle as they turned to the minister.

"Today, we have gathered here..." He started.

Luigi Gretto was a traditional man. He had let the wedding take place the American way as per Aria's demands. But he did not negotiate on having a conservative full-on traditional wedding. He was very much impressed with his daughter-in-law while he glanced distastefully at her mother seated on the other side of the aisle, with an arm wrapped around one of Luigi's friends who was a pathological cheat himself.

Little did Aria know that Pedro's wife had a history of making two of his previous mistresses disappear without a trace.

And Luigi decided not to enlighten her. If Aria Wellington disappeared from the picture, then everything would be as much smoother for the Grettos.

The minister droned on for half an hour before the bride and groom recited the standard vows.

"Do you, Alessandro Luca Gretto, take, Eden Maria Wellington, as your lawfully wedded wife?" The minister's voice finally asked the million dollar question.

Alessandro nodded solemnly. "I do," he said, his deep voice resonating in the grand space.

"And do you, Eden Maria Wellington, take Alessandro Luca Gretto, as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Eden's heart pounded in her chest. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sweet scent of the roses.

She looked into the eyes of the man who had been a stranger just a few days ago, the man who had promised her companionship, loyalty and respect, the man who made her heart do somersaults for absolutely no reasons.

"I do," she said with a firmness that surprised even herself.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The room applauded as Alessandro leaned in to kiss her, a gentle press of his lips. The tenderness of the gesture was not lost on Eden.

"Welcome to my life, Mrs. Gretto." He whispered as he pulled away.

Eden felt a warmth spread through her body. It was a strange feeling, being married to a man she barely knew but somehow felt right.

"And welcome to my life, Mr. Gretto."

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