THE MAFIA LORD’S UNDOING: HIS WEAKNESS, HER REVENGE.

~ Rose “EARTH. TO. ROSE.” My head jerked up before I even realized I’d been staring at nothing. My heart was still racing, and my palms clammy against the bouquet. Amanda’s face was inches from mine, her smile soft and warm, like she hadn’t just caught me zoning out into a black hole. “You with me?” she teased lightly, but her hand brushed over my hair in a way that felt more like checking for cracks than fixing it. “Are the awful migraines back again?” “I’m fine,” I said automatically. My voice sounded strange in my own ears, like it belonged to someone else. The mirror in front of me reflected a woman I barely recognized. A white gown fitted tight at the top, pearls tracing the neckline, feathers curling along the skirt that spilled to the floor. It was beautiful, and yet… wrong. Like wearing a stranger’s skin. “Smile,” Amanda said, tilting my chin up. “You don’t want to look sad on such a wonderful day.” Wonderful for whom? I curved my lips into something that might pass for a smile, but it was fake. Even this smile was fu*king fake. “Better. Now, shall we?” I linked my arm with hers. The tall white doors loomed ahead, and somewhere beyond them waited the man I was supposed to marry. My chest felt tighter with each step. “This is where I leave you,” Amanda said softly before slipping away. I stood frozen, palms slick against the lace-wrapped bouquet, my heartbeat hammering loud enough to drown out every other sound. The air felt heavier with each breath. Breathe, Rose. Breathe. The wedding march began. The powerful tone of musical instruments as the sounds weaved beautifully together filled the air. It was time for me to march. The large double-white-painted doors slowly parted open. I shut my eyes for a brief moment as the light from the sun blinded me momentarily. I opened my eyes, scanning the rows of beautifully dressed people who were the embodiment of sophistication as they rose from their beautiful peach-decorated seats to acknowledge my entry. Then my eyes settled on him—my soon-to-be husband. One of his brows was arched high on his face and he had an expression in his eyes that I couldn't quite put a name to. Was it perhaps—exhaustion? I lifted my foot and took one step, which, by the way, required a lot of effort. The procession continued as I walked down the aisle, looking at him through the veil which covered my face and stopped as soon as I reached him at the dais. He slowly unveiled my face, flashing me a tight-lipped smile as he did so. We turned to the priest and he kicked off the ceremony. I don't know when, but at some point, my mind wandered off and the sound around me shut out. Grey's eyes—they had been haunting my thoughts—or at least, what was left of them. "Miss Rose." I jumped, startled but returned to reality. "Please, continue." The priest had a puzzled look on his face, "do you or do you not accept..." "I do." I didn't have the patience to have him repeat it all over again. The priest straightened his back and let out an awkward cough. "Well, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The space resonated with the sound of palms jamming against each other. I leaned into David, giving him only a small peck on his lips and retreating with an awkward smile tugging at the corners of my lips. He let out a deep breath that was edged with irritation and subtle anger. He held my hand and led me back down from the altar. We didn't stop walking until we once again got into the mansion through the same door I had walked out from. I pulled the veil from my hair, "I'll go up to my room," I said, and immediately began heading in that direction. I slammed the door shut as soon as I got there. I let out a very deep and labored breath. I was still reeling from the anxiety and nervousness of the entire occasion. I kicked my heels off and plopped myself onto the bed. Perhaps it would be better if David and I spoke about the terms of this marriage. It didn't matter to me if we used to be lovers because, in the end, I had no memory of us. What mattered was that I'd done my part. My eyes narrowed in determination. Yes, I had to go and speak with him. I stepped out and headed for his room. I got there in a few seconds, wrapped my hand around the knob and pushed it open without thinking to knock, "David we have to..." I stopped talking, my eyes slowly growing wide in shock, and my jaws dropping at once at the sight before me. David, pants down, shirt unbuttoned and c**k buried deep in one of the guests' pus*y. My brows creased deeply as I stared in disbelief. "What in the..." The words got stuck in my throat, David!" I exclaimed, my voice raised in anger. He immediately slid his c**k out and pulled up his pants, his face flashing red with anger. "Don't you know how to freaking knock?" He yelled back at me, though his voice was not as high as mine was. I scoffed, disbelief crossing my features. "You couldn't even wait for a few days..." My voice cracked, "and you're already showing me how much of a disgusting pig you are." He clenched his jaw and took an intimidating step close to me that made me take a frightened step back, "Don't act like you're a saint because you've done far worse." He snapped. My hand flew to my head, a throbbing sensation was already taking its course in it. My eyes darted to the sl*t who didn't seem that least bit bothered by what she had done. I walked up to her and grabbed her arm. "You, get out," I stated firmly. She screamed in pain at how rough and tight my grip was on her arm. David crossed over to where I was, his eyes blazing hot, and yanked her from my grip. "You have no right to touch my guest." "And you have no right to fu*k a wh*re when we just stated our vows to God as a witness." I snapped. The air was tense between us. Our chests, rising and falling in a haphazard rhythm, each of us reeling from immense rage that boiled hot under our skin. A sarcastic scoff escaped his lips. "Did you just say 'God'?" I kept mute. "Don't test my patience, Rose. I can do whatever I want with whomever I please." "What is all the shouting about?" Our heads darted to the door where Amanda stood with a stern expression on her face. David didn't respond to her, instead he glared at me and pointed his index at me as if he were warning me. I watched as he led his "guest" out of his room. Probably, to somewhere where they wouldn't get interrupted. I turned to Amanda, "How can he be so shameless?" I felt tears prickle in the corner of my eyes. A small smile crept onto Amanda's face. She placed her hand over my shoulder, “You have to live with it, dear. You’ve done worse than he has. So try not to make a fuss. Instead, focus on keeping David happy.” She stated with a shrug. “That’s all that matters now,” Amanda added, giving my shoulder a little pat before walking away. I nodded stiffly, but my insides burned with rage. She glanced at her wristwatch, "I have to go and attend to the guests." With that, she walked away. My heart sank, and my knees buckled underneath, forcing me to land on my buttocks. A lump formed in my throat as I stared at the ground daring it to open and swallow me whole. Was this really going to be my life from now on?