[Music: Dark Horse By Katy Perry, Juicy J]

The closer I got, the louder the wedding march. I stopped right at the entrance. The pews were filled. The aisle stretched like a path leading toward doom. At the altar, the priest was present, along with Zade.

The first to see me was Juliette, because she sat closer to the entrance. Her face in horror as if I had committed an atrocity.

On cue, heads turned, and their faces morphed in shock. My father looked seconds away from a heart attack.

I’d redesigned my wedding dress, cutting the embroidery in an amateurish way. As for my bouquet, I trimmed off the calla lilies, leaving behind the stems, making me appear like a ghoulish bride.

I bet they didn’t see that coming.

With my chin held up high, I walked down the aisle, tuning out the murmurs and the disordered wedding march that couldn’t keep up with my strides.

I burned holes into Zade’s back, making him my focus. He had yet to acknowledge the chaos, and I couldn’t wait for him to see the surprise.

Slowly, he threw a look over his shoulder, and I greatly hoped for a furious look that’d turn this sideways, but what I was shown was completely different from what I expected.

Have I done something funny?

Half the crowd here thought otherwise, yet he was amused.

Nevertheless, I kept moving, despite the heavy urge to bolt. I somehow made it up the altar steps without any trouble.

The priest didn’t start, unsure if he should or not, as all Zade did was gape at me, and it put me in a really confusing position.

Did I not do enough damage? Why the fuck isn’t he affected?

I have ruined a million-dollar wedding dress, and probably flowers that cost a hell of a lot.

Maybe all that shits he smokes really messed with his head.

"Start the wedding."

My stomach dropped. He’s not taking any chances, is he?

"Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today in the sight of God to witness the union of Zayden Salvero and Anastasia Morri in holy matrimony."

A sharp ringing plugged my ears, quivers taking over me, not affected by the ongoing ceremony, but by his eyes. It was almost as if he could see through me.

The priest got to the vows, and I barely paid attention, not until Zade uttered the words... ’I do’.

"Do you take Zayden Salvero to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

My tongue went tight, and I stayed long enough to hear the murmurs from the congregation erupt; it got worse with each passing second.

Is this it? Am I really gonna marry this man?

My eyes moved, and I caught my father’s stare. He’s super furious, yet he somehow managed to mouth the words... ’Say, I do’.

He was probably at his last patience with me, and any further, he was the one who was gonna explode, and cause a scene.

"I do..." I said quietly.

The moment the words left me, it felt like I had given my soul away.

I never stood a chance, did I? This was my father’s end of the contract, and it had to be fulfilled, no matter what.

The priest continued, saying a round of things, and then it was time to exchange rings.

I eyed the emerald-cut diamond ring as it slid through my finger. My breasts felt like they’d break free from the bodice from how harshly I tried to breathe.

And when it got to Zade’s turn...

"Skip..." he said.

There wasn’t even a ring for him.

"B-By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Disgust flashed my face. Over my dead body that’s gonna happen, I don’t even know where that mouth has been.

"Skip."

Zade arched an eyebrow at my abrupt statement.

"La-Ladies and—"

Before I could blink, he snatched my jaw in a bruising hold. I tried to wave him off, but his grip tightened until my face contorted in pain, his rings squeezing into my skin.

He leaned close.

Oh, no!

I pushed my hand against his chest, but it was like I was trying to out weight a fucking wall.

"What’s the matter, Anastasia?" he said close to my ear, voice laced with amusement. "Does the idea of kissing me make you sick?"

I shot him a side glare.

"You’re an exception... most don’t hesitate when it comes to my lips."

This disgusting snake!

"Stay still..." he murmured, his breath on my face. "I want this moment to be memorable."

I pointed the scissors I had hidden in my bouquet right at his groin, and he froze midway.

"Put that mouth on me and see what happens."

There was a hint of surprise before a deep chuckle rolled off him like a smooth storm.

Does he think I’m joking?

What happened next was too fast for my brain to catch up. My hand was pinned to my back, his big palm pressing against it, causing the scissor to bite into my skin.

I grunted, wriggling to free myself, but the pressure only increased when he locked my hands tighter on the sharp edge.

"Look at the gallery."

I did, and my heart momentarily stopped. Ja-Jacob?

"I make it my business to know everything about what I choose to invest in."

Zade’s words struck fear in my heart, spiking when one of the twins came from behind. He just stood there, yet the flicker of fear on Jacob’s face spoke volumes.

I veered my wide eyes back to Zade.

"I know everything about you, Anastasia..." he began coolly, words like sweet poison. "Your favorite things... and everything else that spells you."

I shuddered when he tucked some of my loose strands behind my ear, an action that felt more inhumane than anything I have ever experienced.

"And Jacob Cole... He’s special to you, isn’t he? You spend a lot of time with him more than anyone else."

"Don’t you dare touch him!" I hissed.

He added more pressure, and I yelped, the scissor slicing into my flesh, and I felt a warm liquid coat my fingers.

"I told you I don’t take kindly to insults."

I fought harder, almost losing my mind when Jacob was led out of view. Zade seized my chin and forced my attention back to him.

"Now... I believe we were in the middle of something."

Wha—!

His lips were on mine before I could process anything. I flashed my eyes open, connecting with his hollow gaze. He slowed down, our mouths halfway merged as if he wanted to breathe his poisonous air into me.

I spat at his face, using that momentary distraction to peel myself away from him.

The scissors slipped out of my grip, the sharp clang ringing in the air, my hand trembling from the sight of blood.

I averted my eyes back to Zade just when he was in the middle of swiping my saliva with his thumb and fucking licking it.

"By all means... proceed," he said to the priest, eyes whirring with dark promises.

"Ladies and gen-gentlemen, I-I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Salvero!"