Forever Changed

Chapter 2: Gowns and Gossip

Angelique POV

The ceremony was both long and a blur. The longer I spent kneeling and standing beside this man I was spending the rest of my life with the sadder I got. The kind and funny Mattia I had spent my time with during our engagement phase was not present today. He was the man I had heard rumours about. Silent, cold and if I was honest, a little scary. This was not how I wanted things to go today. My heart ached with the thought of disappointing Mattia already. I had wanted today to be perfect and had already failed him.

Apart from the small smile he'd given me when I'd stumbled over the words in my vows he'd shown no emotion. I hoped that I could salvage the day somehow. I just wasn't sure what to do. I came back into my head when I heard the Priest announce.

"You may now kiss your bride."

Mattia lifted my veil and stared into my eyes before he took my face in both his hands and leaned down to give me a soft kiss on the lips. None of the passion we'd shared of late, but it was still a lovely kiss. A church appropriate kiss. If I was truthful I'd dreamed of him being so overwhelmed at seeing me, that he'd sweep me into his arms and give me an entirely inappropriate kiss for a church wedding. Obviously that wasn't going to happen.

Mattia took my hand and turned us to face the church as the Priest announced.

"May I present to you Mr and Mrs Dicembre. May their marriage be long and full of faith and blessings. Go with God."

"Go with God." Everyone repeated.

Our parents stepped forward as we left the altar and I hugged my mother extra tight. She looked at my face and knew something was wrong but I shook my head. If I spoke about it now I'd cry and I didn't want to further embarrass Mattia with my behaviour. My father shook Mattia's hand and then kissed my cheek before leading my mother away.

Mattia's father gave me a small smile before leaning in and kissing my cheek "welcome to the family Angelique, I look forward to you bearing the next heir to the Dicembre bloodline."

Mia handed me my flowers and gave both Mattia and I a quick cheek kiss "Congratulations you two." Before she could step away Mattia leaned into her and whispered so that only her and I could hear.

"Once we arrive at the venue you are to immediately help Angelique change into her proper gown. I want her presentable for family portraits without delay."

With that hurtful comment he started us on our walk down the aisle. Mia was giving me a sad smile but didn't protest. Nobody denied Mattia. Not even family.

Everyone gave us large smiles as we approached. Men were vying for his attention and some of the women made sure to lean into Mattia a little more than was appropriate as they passed on their congratulations, I noticed he didn't rebuff them. I felt my heart ache a little at his behaviour. I didn't expect him to push them away but he certainly didn't need to give them any smiles when I had been given so few today.

We finally made it outside the church and he turned to me.

"Let's head to the venue straight away. We won't do any photographs here as previously planned, you will need to hurry once we get there."

He helped me into the waiting town car before walking around to his door and sitting across the seat from me. It felt like he didn't even want to be here.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Not mad. Disappointed. I know this is all new to you but I thought you'd been prepared with what was expected of you. It is part of why I agreed to wait until you were twenty so you'd be mature enough to handle the responsibilities. You represent me and must always look your very best. You must be beyond reproach in appearance and behaviour. I will not tolerate any less."