No One’s Pov

Hidden behind the garden, just far enough to not get notice was Elias, watching the ceremony. His chest burned with every breath but the pain only fueled the twisted grin on his face.

He adjusted his gloves, his eyes fixed on the back of Vivien’s neck.

"Oh my Viella... or should I say my Vivien..." he whispered, his voice rasp. "You hurt me so much. First, you stab me through the heart, and now you’re marrying another guy who isn’t me? Tsk, tsk... you’re so cruel."

He leaned against a pillar, watching as Dante took Vivien’s hand. The sight of Dante’s fingers interlaced with hers made Elias’s blood boil, but he didn’t move. He savored the beautiful white dress she wore- the same dress he intended to see soaked in red.

"But it’s okay," he chuckled, the sound dark.

"Since I attended your wedding... I can’t leave without giving you a wedding gift... can I?"

He reached into his jacket, his fingers wrapping around a remote. His gaze shifted from the happy couple to the massive crystal chandelier hanging directly above them.

Back at the altar, the priest reached the final words.

"If anyone here has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace..."

Dante gripped Vivien’s hand tighter, his eyes boring into hers as if challenging the world to try and stop him.

Vivien felt that same chill again. She scanned the crowd. She didn’t see Elias, but she felt him.

Dante sensed her distract mind.

"Focus on me, Amore Mio" he whispered, his voice a command. "Dont make your husband jealous or else you’ll see dead body of every guy your eyes will meet"

_______________

Elias’s thumb was already hovering over the button. "Too boring" he murmured.

Elias looked at the remote, his thumb twitching.

He could end it all now- the lights in her eyes. But as he watched Dante claim her hand, a far more sadistic thought crossed his mind.

Killing her now was too quick. He wanted her to live in the fear of what he would do next. He wanted her to realize that even in the arms of the most powerful man, she wasn’t safe.

With a smirk, he tossed the remote into the bushes and vanished into the shadows.

______________

"You may kiss the bride."

The words Vivien had been dreading, finally echoed.

Dante didn’t hesitate. He pulled her in, his large hand cupping the back of her neck to ensure she couldn’t pull away.

The kiss wasn’t the brutal possessive thing she expected. It was slow and gentle. His lips moved against hers, savoring the taste of her, claiming her soul before the eyes of God and the law.

Vivien’s breath hitched, her fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket. For a moment, the world stopped spinning.

The guests cheered and clapped, though some looked away to give them privacy. Marcella made a face like she’d just swallowed a lemon, and Lucian looked genuinely traumatized, covering his eyes and muttering, "Gross, that’s my sister."

But Dante didn’t care. As he pulled back, his eyes were glinting with a terrifying obsession.

She was finally his. No longer Viella but Celestine Moretti. His wife. And he would burn the world to the ground before he let her go.

Meanwhile – In the Security Hub

Lily stood in the dim glow of the monitors, her eyes scanning the screen.. Something wasn’t right. A blur of movement near the garden caught her attention.

"Pause this video," she commanded. "Zoom in on the north garden wall. Who is this guest? Give me all the information we have on his invite!"

The technician typed frantically, his brow sweating. "Miss... there’s nothing. He’s not on the guest list. Facial recognition is coming up blank."

Lily’s blood ran cold. She didn’t wait for a second order. She sprinted out of the hub and toward the spot. Going through the bushes, her hand brushed against something.

She picked it up.

A remote detonator.

"Dang it," she muttered, her heart racing as she looked up at the massive chandelier. It was a message. Elias had been here, and he had let them live... for now.

She tapped her earpiece, her voice tight. "Code Black. The threat was on-site. Do not interrupt the reception, but double the security. I’ll inform the Boss the moment he steps away from the altar."

The wedding was over, but the war had just begun.

Dante didn’t wait for her to find her footing, he scooped her up in one fluid motion, the heavy sgown draping over his arm. Vivien opened her mouth to protest, but the words died in her throat. Instead, she found herself burying her face in the crook of his neck, hiding her flaming cheeks against the cool fabric.

Stop it! she screamed at herself. Why are you acting like a shy bride in a cliché romance novel? This isn’t real!

But as he walked, the steady sound of his heartbeat against her ear felt very, very real.

He reached the car, the same black Ferrari she had "redesigned" with scratches.

Dante caught her staring at the hood and let out a knowing smirk. "You’re right, amore mio. This is the car you damaged. Consider this the replacement... and a reminder that I always get back what belongs to me."

Vivien looked at him, her eyes wide. "Do you have some kind of mind-reading power, or what?"

He chuckled. He carefully lowered her into the passenger seat and leaned over to click her seatbelt. His face brushed against her cheek, the scent of his cologne overwhelming her senses.

"I don’t need magic to read you," he replied, his voice a whisper against her ear. "I can read people’s faces and emotions perfectly. Especially yours."

He pulled back and walked around to the driver’s side. As he settled into the seat and gripped the steering wheel, he spared her a side glance.

"So, are you ready to go now, Mrs. Moretti?" he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "I seem to remember someone very loudly declaring they would never marry me. Something about breaking an engagement?"

"As if you left me any other option," Vivien huffed, turning her head to look out the window so he wouldn’t see the smile she was trying to suppress.

Dante chuckled again, the sound light and genuinely happy. But the moment was shattered by someones call.

Dante’s expression vanished. The warmth left his eyes instantly, replaced by a cold annoyance.

He pulled the phone from his pocket and looked at the screen.

"Speak," he commanded, his voice dropping into flat tone.

Vivien watched him, her heart sinking.

"What?" Dante’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white.

"Where? I told you to sweep the security twice. If he was that close, why am I just hearing about this now?"

He went silent, listening to the person on the other end- likely Lily or one of his security heads. His jaw tight, his eyes narrowing.

"Find him at any cost," Dante hissed. "And don’t let anyone leave the estate. If a single guest looks suspicious, take them to the cellar. I’ll deal with them when I return."

He hung up and threw the phone onto the dashboard. The air in the Ferrari was now thick with tension.

"Dante? What happened?" Vivien asked.

Dante didn’t take his eyes off the road. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"It’s nothing, amore mio. Just a small oversight by people who should know better. You don’t have to worry about a thing today."

His voice was calm, but the way his hand gripped the gear shift told a different story. He drove with silence.

The moment they pulled up to the grand entrance, a team of security was already waiting, looking pale.

Dante stepped out and rounded the car, lifting Vivien out as if she weighed nothing. He carried her all the way to the master room and set her down on the edge of the massive bed.

He leaned down, pressing a firm possessive kiss to her forehead.

"I have to handle this personally. I’ll be back soon," he whispered, his eyes dark that made her breath hitch.

He paused at the door, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Have some rest, Vivien. Because I’m not letting you rest a bit tonight."

With that he closed the door, and she heard the click of his boots walking away.

The second the door shut, Vivien’s strength vanished. She collapsed back onto the soft bed. her heart was beating so hard she herself could hear it.

"What the heck!! What did he mean by that!! Ehh!!" she shrieked into a pillow, kicking her feet as her face turned red .

She thought back to the few heated moments they’d shared before the wedding. He had been surprisingly gentle, always pulling back at the last second to let her catch her breath. But that was before.

Now, they were married. The rest period was officially over. She knew exactly what "not letting her sleep" meant, and the realization made her feel like she was melting into the mattress.

"Focus, Vivien!" she scolded herself, though her hands were shaking.

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted her internal meltdown.

A maid stepped into the room, her eyes staring down looking submissive.

She was carrying a silver tray with several dishes that smelled heavenly. "My lady, you must be starving. The kitchen prepared some food for you while you rest," she said, her voice soft.

Vivien was indeed starving. The stress of the day and of the ceremony had left her hollow.

Without even thinking of changing out of the heavy wedding gown, she sat at the small table and began to eat. The food was delicious and she was so busy savoring it that she barely noticed that the maid hadn’t left.

The woman stood perfectly still by the door, her hands folded, watching every bite Vivien took with an unblinking intensity.

Suddenly, midway through a bite, the world began to tilt. Vivien felt a strange, rushing sensation behind her eyes, her head becoming light. The fork felt heavy.

She dropped the utensil, her hand shaking as she looked up at the maid. "What... what did you..."

Her voice trailed off. Her vision blurred. She tried to stand, but her legs gave out completely, and she collapsed back onto the bed.

Through the haze of her fading consciousness, she saw the maid’s face transform. The submissive look was gone, replaced by a cruel smirk.

Then, the door opened wider. A man stepped into the room, his movements was slow.

Vivien’s eyes struggled to focus, but all she could see was a tall and dark suit.

He reached into his pocket and tossed a heavy stack of cash to the maid, who caught it with a greedy grin.

Before Vivien could draw one last breath, the man leaned down. He scooped her into a crushing embrace, his touch possessive and cold.

She couldn’t see his face, but the scent was familiar.

"Sleep well, my Vivien..." he whispered against her hair, his voice rasp that sent a final shiver through her soul.

The darkness finally swallowed her whole.

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TO BE CONTINUED