Chapter 4 The Wedding
1127 Words
I didn’t get time to think.
That was the worst part.
No space. No breathing room. No moment to sit down and process what I had just done.
By the time I was back in the bedroom, there were already people waiting for me.
Three women this time.
Not maids.
Stylists.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Giordano,” one of them said with a polite smile.
The name still didn’t feel real.
“Try not to move too much,” another added as she began unpacking brushes, makeup, and things I didn’t even recognise.
I frowned slightly. “What’s going on?”
They all paused.
Just for a second.
Then one of them said carefully, “You’re getting ready.”
“For what?”
A glance passed between them.
And that was when I knew.
My stomach dropped.
“No…”
No one answered me.
They didn’t need to.
My chest tightened as the reality hit.
Today.
He meant today.
“You can’t be serious,” I muttered under my breath.
But of course he was.
Luca Giordano didn’t say things he didn’t mean.
Everything happened too fast.
My clothes were taken.
My hair was done.
My face was turned into something polished, something perfect, something that didn’t look like me anymore.
I sat there like a doll while they worked.
Silent.
Numb.
Trying not to think about what was coming.
“Stand, please.”
I did.
A dress was brought out.
White.
Of course it was white.
Simple—but expensive. Elegant. Fitted to my body like it had been made for me.
Like this had all been planned.
Like I had never had a choice.
“Arms up.”
I obeyed.
The fabric slid over my skin, soft and cold, settling perfectly into place.
A zip.
A final adjustment.
And then—
“Done.”
I turned slowly toward the mirror.
And my breath caught.
I looked…
Like a bride.
But I didn’t feel like one.
There was no excitement.
No happiness.
No love.
Just… emptiness.
And something else.
Fear.
“You look beautiful,” one of them said softly.
I didn’t respond.
Because it didn’t matter how I looked.
This wasn’t a wedding.
This was a transaction.
The car ride was silent.
Of course it was.
No one spoke to me.
No one explained anything.
The city blurred past the window, and I watched it like I was saying goodbye.
Because in a way…
I was.
We pulled up outside a building I didn’t recognise.
Old.
Stone.
Private.
A church.
My chest tightened.
Of course it would be a church.
Because why not make this feel even more real?
The door opened, and one of the men outside offered his hand.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then I took it.
And stepped out.
Inside, it was quiet.
Too quiet.
No guests.
No music.
No family.
Just a priest standing at the front…
…and him.
Luca.
Already waiting.
Already in position.
Already in control.
He turned as I walked in.
And for a moment—
Just a moment—
He looked at me.
Properly.
His eyes moved over me slowly, taking in every detail of the dress, the hair, the way I held myself.
Something dark flickered in his expression.
Something I didn’t understand.
But it was gone just as quickly.
“Come,” he said.
No smile.
No warmth.
Just that same calm command.
I walked toward him, each step heavier than the last.
This is it.
No going back now.
I stopped beside him.
Close enough to feel him.
Close enough to feel everything.
The priest began speaking.
Words about marriage.
About union.
About vows.
I didn’t hear most of it.
It all blurred together.
Because none of it felt real.
Until—
“Do you, Luca Giordano, take this woman…”
His voice was steady.
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
No pause.
Just certainty.
Like this meant nothing to him.
My stomach twisted.
“And do you, Lena—”
I swallowed hard as the priest said my name.
This is your last chance.
My heart pounded.
Say no.
Walk away.
Run.
Matteo.
My eyes closed briefly.
Then—
“Yes.”
The word felt heavy as it left my lips.
Like it didn’t belong to me.
Like it sealed something I couldn’t undo.
“Then by the power vested in me…”
The rest passed in a blur.
“…you may kiss your bride.”
My breath caught.
I turned slightly—
And he was already there.
Too close.
His hand came up, fingers brushing lightly against my jaw, tilting my face toward his.
My heart slammed against my chest.
This wasn’t part of the contract.
Was it?
His eyes locked onto mine.
Dark.
Unreadable.
Dangerous.
Then—
His lips met mine.
And everything stopped.
It wasn’t soft.
It wasn’t sweet.
It wasn’t romantic.
It was controlled.
Possessive.
Deliberate.
Like a statement.
Like a warning.
Like a promise I didn’t understand yet.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up, a sharp inhale catching in my throat as I froze against him.
Then it was over.
Too fast.
Too real.
He pulled back slightly, his gaze still on mine.
“Don’t look so shocked,” he murmured quietly. “You’re my wife now.”
The words sent a shiver through me.
My wife.
No.
I wasn’t ready for that.
I would never be ready for that.
The priest spoke again, but I barely heard him.
Because all I could feel…
Was the weight of what had just happened.
It was done.
No celebration.
No applause.
No happiness.
Just silence.
And a piece of paper that now made everything official.
Luca turned to me as we stepped outside.
“You’ll get used to it,” he said calmly.
“To what?” I asked before I could stop myself.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“This.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough so only I could hear.
“My name. My world. My rules.”
My chest tightened.
“And if I don’t?” I whispered.
A dangerous question.
His gaze held mine.
Cold.
Certain.
“You will.”
Not maybe.
Not try.
You will.
Because I had no choice.
Because I never did.
He stepped back, straightening his jacket like nothing had happened.
“Get in the car,” he added.
Just like that.
Like this wasn’t the moment that had just changed everything.
I hesitated for a second, my fingers brushing lightly against my lips without thinking.
I could still feel it.
The kiss.
The claim.
The reality.
Then I lowered my hand, swallowed hard, and got into the car.
Because what else could I do?
I was Lena Giordano now.
And there was no going back.
- Writer
