Although her hands were tied tightly in front of her by the use of Maximus's necktie, Gabriella felt more free in these circumstances than she did standing unbound in her reception hall. She could still recall the faux smiles of those in attendance that made her feel claustrophobic by their two-faced appearances and backhanded compliments. So even though she should have been enraged to be taken against her will...again...she couldn't help but feel relief and appreciation for the gall of this man at her side; for if not for him, she would be forced to spend a wedding night crying in the bathroom to evade any possible intimacy. But even if she had been able to escape the expectations of her new husband, she would be reminded of those unholy vows by the damned ring upon her left hand.
"It i
