The grandfather clock in the main living room of the Moretti mansion chimed loudly as it struck midnight. Alessia lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, still lost in thought over her conversation with Dominic earlier on. She sat up and let out a heavy sigh. She slowly walked to the drawer, opened it, and stared at the beautifully designed wedding dress inside. She ran her hand through the soft yet firm fabric.
"It has always been my wish to wear a dress like this with Dominic by my side. Now, it's the complete opposite," she muttered to herself as she closed the drawer. "It's already midnight… In a few hours, I'll be getting married to the man who destroyed my family," she whispered as she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her well-rounded face.
"Rafael…" she murmured, as memories of her brother drifted through her mind.
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"What are you doing here?" A young guy with crimson eyes and bright brown hair dressed in a blue shirt and brown pants asked a young lady who was hiding behind a wall and watching the people who were at a distance in the grand mansion.
His voice startled her. She turned sharply. "Sheesh, Rafael, you scared me."
He chuckled. "Who are you spying on? Is it Jay?" he asked, glancing in the direction she was watching.
"I'm not spying on anyone," she pouted.
"Oh really? Then I guess it's not Dominic either," he teased with a smirk as the young girl blushed.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Go away!" she snapped, making him laugh. As she turns back she sees the young handsome and quiet Dominic staring at her as he flashes her a smile, she quickly turns around and leaves, Rafael following behind her.
"You know you shouldn't involve yourself with either of them Aly," Rafael said
"I'm not involving myself, I was only trying to know what father and the others were talking about." She defended
"You're too young for that." He responds as he ruffles her hair, "Maybe when you're 18, you and Dominic can get married, wouldn't you like that?" He said
"Now you're just teasing me." She yells with a blush on her cheeks as she runs ahead making Rafael chuckle
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The warm glow of the sun shone on Alessia, who was dressed in a beautiful white flowing dress. Her hair was neatly styled and her face was softly made up. A glistening necklace with a diamond pendant adorned her neckline. The sunlight hit the diamonds on her dress, making them sparkle.
"Miss, you're ready," the maid who had dressed her said with a bow.
"Thank you," Alessia replied softly.
Her female guard walked up to her. "It's time," she said flatly.
Alessia nodded and followed the guard out of the room and down the hallway. Guards stood aligned, bowing as she passed. She continued walking until she reached the front entrance, where one of Dominic's guards whom she recognized was waiting.
"Greetings, my lady. I'm Ray, and the Boss has asked me to safely escort you to the wedding venue," he said with a bow.
"Okay," she replied quietly, following him outside to a waiting limo. The back door was held open. She stepped inside, and Ray closed the door, taking the driver's seat and pulling out of the grand compound.
They arrived in front of a church. Ray stepped out and opened the door for Alessia. She stepped out and walked slowly toward the entrance. She glanced to her side, and for a brief moment, imagined her father smiling at her. Clutching the bouquet tightly, she took a deep breath as the church doors opened.
Dominic stood at the altar in his usual black suit, his sleek hair combed back. She walked toward him, passing seated mafia families and spotting her mother in the front row with the Kaleys. Her mother's eyes shimmered with held-back tears.
At the altar, Dominic smirked. "What a beautiful bride you are," he whispered.
Her expression remained unreadable.
'I'm sorry it has to be this way.' He thinks to himself
They held hands and faced the priest, and the ceremony began.
"Do you, Dominic, take Alessia Wrenleigh to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
"I do," Dominic replied, his cold voice echoing in Alessia's mind.
"Do you, Alessia, take Dominic Moretti to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
The room fell silent. Alessia's heart ached, her hands trembled. She looked at her mother, whose face was full of sorrow, then turned back to the icy gaze of the man who would be her husband.
'Deep down, I want to run, I want to abandon everything and leave a quiet life far away from all this but I won't, I will avenge my brother's death, I will find out what really happened and why Dominic brought my family to ruin and I will destroy him.'
"I do," she said firmly, her gaze unwavering.
A sly smirk crept onto Dominic's lips.
"If anyone here objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest said.
"I guess it's time," Vivienne, seated among the guests, whispered to herself as she smiled.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Dominic leaned in and, with a smirk, pressed his lips to Alessia's. She kissed him back, surprising him. It was her turn to play along. She gave everyone the illusion they wanted.
Then she broke the kiss, staring into his cold eyes.
Suddenly, the sound of a metal canister shattering the stained-glass window rang through the church. The canister hit the ground with a metallic clang before thick white smoke exploded out in all directions.
Gasps and coughing filled the air.
"Alessia!" Dominic called out, grabbing her hand and pulling her close. Chaos broke out as guests struggled to move, but the main doors were locked shut.
"Hang on, Aly," Dominic said, holding her tightly. Alessia coughed, her vision blurring. The smoke grew thicker by the second, swallowing the room whole. Shouts and frantic footsteps echoed as people fought to escape.
Dominic's voice echoed in her ears his words oddly familiar as her body grew weak, before she fell unconscious.