Chapter 4
1561 Words
Chapter four.
The wedding night.
~MATTEO’S POV~
“Do you, Cassie Romano, take Matteo Di Pietro to be your lawful wedded husband in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
The priest’s voice resonated in the hushed hall, his gaze fixed intently on Cassie. Moments stretched into an uncomfortable silence
Murmurs fluttered through the crowd, faces shifting from confusion to impatience as Cassie remained quiet, her eyes cast down at the ornate floor.
“You shouldn’t waste everyone’s time, Cassie. These guests have places to be,” I interjected, irritation lacing my tone.
Still, she remained mute, her stubbornness casting her as the unwilling protagonist in a story with a predetermined end.
I stepped closer, the intoxicating scent of her perfume filling my nostrils. It was maddening how compelling she looked despite her stubbornness.
“Stop overthinking, Cassie. There’s no one coming to save you. As I mentioned before, your only options are to survive... or die.”
Her brow furrowed at the sight of the bloodstain on my shirt. I took a step back, realizing my appearance might unsettle her.
Yet, she was still new to this world of ours, and I hated that look of loathing she always directed at me, as if I were the ultimate villain in her life.
“Miss?” The priest gently probed again.
With a shuddering breath, Cassie finally managed, “I...I...do,” her eyes squeezed shut as if bracing herself for an inescapable storm. A satisfied grin crept across my lips.
“And do you, Matteo Di Pietro, take Cassie Romano to be your lawful wedded wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
“I do,” I replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronouns you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the priest declared.
Cassie’s eyes widened in disbelief as if she were still processing the seriousness of the vows just exchanged. She stepped back instinctively, but I wasted no time, wrapping my arm around her waist, and pulling her against me.
“What... what do... you think you are doing?” she yelped, struggling against my hold, her voice laced with alarm.
Laughter surged from the guests, delighting in the unexpected drama unfolding before them.
“You’re making a fool of yourself, wife,” I taunted, my voice low and steady. “Don’t fret over a mere kiss. It’s the bedroom drama you should be worried about.”
Her resistance faltered as my words registered, her color draining from her face. I seized the moment, my fingers lightly tracing her cheek, a strange mix of gentleness and authority. Leaning closer, I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine.
The kiss was brief, yet electrifying—before I released her, applause erupted around us. Yet, Cassie remained frozen, her expression distant, as if she had been transported elsewhere.
Frustration bubbled within me as I turned to Nico, signaling him with a curt nod to prepare the car for my upcoming meeting with the arms dealer.
As I moved away from the altar, I glanced back at my bride; she had collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks, sorrow painting her features.
“What should I do with her, sir?” Mrs. Agnes, the head maid, asked, her gaze flicking between me and my crying bride.
“Get her prepared for tonight,” I ordered, moving to leave when her hesitant voice stopped me.
“But sir... I know it’s not my place, but do you think tonight will be… a good night?”
Her words stirred irritation within me, cutting through my already frayed nerves. “That wasn’t a question that required your opinion, Agnes. It was an order. And you, of all people, should know how much I despise repeating myself.”
Mr Agnes flinched at the sharpness of my tone but quickly regained composure.
“Of course sir, I will make the necessary arrangements,” she replied, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hand.
As I stepped away from the garden, the cool air hit me. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the meticulously manicured ground of the mansion.
I walked towards the waiting car, each step heavy with the thought of the night ahead. My mind was already occupied, calculating the moves necessary for the meeting that awaited me.
Nico, always a few steps behind, opened the door for me. “You okay boss?” he asked, a shadow of concern crossed his face which I quickly dismissed.
“I'm fine. Just drive.” I snapped, settling into the soft leather seat.
The engine roared to life, drowning out any further questions. As we pulled away from the estate, I couldn't shake the image of Cassie from my mind.
~CASSIE’S POV~
The thought of spending the night with that monster sent a shiver down my spine. I paced anxiously in the nightgown that felt more like a shackle than clothing.
I still couldn't believe my uncle and aunt had abandoned me like this. Had they truly sold me off to him to settle my father's debts?
Just as the panic began to swirl in my head, the door to the master bedroom creaked open, and I froze, eyes trained on the silhouette that stepped into the dim light.
“I brought you some cinnamon tea. It helps calm the nerves,” the woman from earlier said, placing the tray on the table before me.
“I don’t want anything,” I shot back, frustration boiling over at how everyone acted as if I were some kind of prisoner.
She paused, concern glimmering in her eyes as she took a tentative step toward me. “There’s no need to resist your fate, sweetheart.”
I bit my lip and grasped her hands tightly, my desperation spilling out. “Please… you have to help me. I can’t be with him. You know he’s a monster. Please.”
Her expression softened for just a moment before she pulled her hands away, the warmth fading. It was clear my plea had fallen on deaf ears.
“The young master will be home soon. You should really try to get some rest. It’s going to be a long night,” she warned gently before turning to leave.
My heart raced at her words, and I ran a shaky hand through my hair, imagining Matteo taking everything from me. I sank to the floor, the tears escaping as the weight of reality crashed down.
Sitting on the massive bed behind me, I glanced at the wall clock, each tick stretching painfully long. When would he arrive? I could only hope I wouldn’t have to face him at all.
At exactly 8:00 pm, the bedroom door swung open, and a tall, shadowy figure loomed in the doorway. I jumped to my feet, the instinct to flee surging through me.
“I thought you might have tried to escape or, perhaps, poison yourself,” he teased, striding into the room.
The soft glow of the light revealed him in sharp detail. He was clean, his demeanor somehow different from this morning, the cold arrogance replaced by a disarming calm.
“I’ve realized there's no point in running. This is my fate now,” I murmured, my gaze locked on the floor.
His hand tilted my chin up, and our eyes met. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Maybe if I pressed his buttons, he would let me go.
“Are you scared?” he asked, his voice a low, calm rumble.
“I’ve never done this before,” I managed to admit, shame washing over me.
Given my lack of dating history, I felt like a lost sheep surrounded by wolves. He chuckled, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as though he found my inexperience amusing.
He stepped closer, invading my space, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned down to whisper. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll go easy on you since it’s your first time.”
My heart raced at his words, a mixture of fear and delay coursing through my veins. The way he leaned in, his breath warm against my skin, sent chills down my spine that had nothing to do with desires.
I couldn't tell if he meant to comfort me or taunt me.
“Just relax,” he continued, soft yet commanding. “You will find that I can be quite……pleasurable.”
I recoiled slightly, pulling myself away from his intimate closeness while my mind scrambled for a way to keep him away from her.
“You said you won't hurt me,” I whispered, searching his eyes for the truth.
“Yes,” he replied, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his face.
“Then just get it over with,” she bravely demanded, a steely resolve in her voice that surprised me. I couldn’t help but smile at her courage.
“Brace yourself, love. It’s going to be a very long night,” he warned, his tone shifting, as he took a step closer, his shadows closing in around me.
But just as I opened my mouth to respond, the door slammed behind us with a deafening bang.
- Writer
