Bargain Bride: The Billionaire's Forced Wife

3: Mother

"I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU, HUSBAND AND WIFE."

The whole cathedral was filled with claps from different people. Some are even whistling, while others are in poker face.

On the first row, Chiara's parents are seen with fake smile while doing claps that don't even make a sound.

With the priest signal, Ezio lift up the veil that's covering the face of his beloved.

"Finally," Ezio thought to himself. He felt successful, even though his ways to get Chiara is unethical. But as a man who believes that the end justifies the means, he doesn't care.

What's important is that they're already married.

When the veil was removed, Ezio cupped Chiara's face and leaned forward to give a kids on her lips — a kiss that he has been waiting for a long time.

However, just a millisecond before his lips landed on hers, Chiara moved her head to the side, making him kissed her cheeks instead. And it didn't escaped the priest's eyes.

"You may own me on papers, but I'm not yours," Chiara firmly said in a way that only the two of them can hear.

Ezio tried to hide his disappointment. In his mind, he will be able to do romantic things he wanted to her once they get married, but what's happening is the otherwise.

But Ezio is not the type of man who will surrender. He has a lifetime to love her and make her reciprocate that love.

He won't stop until he got her heart.

***

The newlyweds greeted everyone inside their reception. And every visitor that will glance on their direction cannot help but to notice the distance between the husband and wife.

"Just look at them. I pity that woman," one of the visitors released a heavy sigh. "That man must have forced her to marry him."

A woman opened her fan and gently swish it to herself. "I heard that the bride's parents have debt on Signor Ezio."

"Really? Poor thing. She must have sacrificed her future for her parents.

"Indeed," a man holding a red wine entered the women's conversation. "I can't imagine what kind of hell their marriage will be."

"She better hold on tight and ready herself. Living with a ruthless and manipulative man like Signor Ezio is one kind of torture, after all."

The murmurs of the guests didn't escaped Chiara's ears. Because of those words, she is now starting to regret her decision.

She doesn't even know what kind of mam he is. She have only known him for a few weeks, and her impression on him isn't good at all.

Chiara couldn't help but to look stealthily at her groom, wondering if he could hear what the guests are whispering. They are just a few centimeters away from each other, yet it looks like Ezio couldn't hear what she can hear.

As if Ezio can read her mind, he spoke. "Their words are useless. Don't listen to them."

Chiara couldn't help but to click her tongue. "The more I listen to them, the more I regret agreeing into this marriage. I should have married my boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend, cara. He's now an ex," he said firmly.

From her peripheral vision, she saw him moved closer. She can feel the heat that his body is radiating.

"Any more word about that man and you wouldn't like what I will do to him," Ezio threatened her.

Chiara's breathing became harsh. Her grip on the skirt of her dress tightened. "He has nothing to do with this. Leave him alone."