His Only

Chapter three

I sat in the car, my father's proud smile a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. My mind raced with thoughts of Alessandro, his piercing gaze, and the possessive grip he had on me. I felt like a trapped animal, dressed up and dolled up for the slaughter.

The elaborate wedding dress suffocated me, its tight corset and layers of tulle a constant reminder of the prison I was about to enter. My heart pounded in my chest as I thought about the vows I was about to make, the promises to love and obey a man who terrified me.

My father, oblivious to my distress, chatted excitedly about the ceremony, the guests, and the reception. I nodded and smiled, pretending to share his enthusiasm, but my thoughts were consumed by fear and uncertainty.

What lay ahead? Would Alessandro's possessiveness turn violent? Would I ever be able to escape? The questions swirled in my mind like a vortex, making my head spin.

As the car pulled up to the entrance, my father turned to me, his eyes shining with happiness. "Ready, kiddo?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.

I forced a smile, my heart heavy with dread. "Ready," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I stepped out of the car, the bright sunlight and bustling atmosphere of the wedding venue enveloped me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and began my walk down the aisle alongside my father.

My eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the familiar faces of our friends and family, but one person stood out - Alesandro. He stood tall and imposing, his eyes fixed intently on me, his gaze burning with an unnerving intensity.

He was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his chiselled features radiating an aura of power and control. His eyes, however, told a different story - they seemed to bore into my soul, as if daring me to try and escape.

As we approached, Alessandro's gaze never wavered, his eyes locked onto mine with an unspoken message: you're mine now. I felt a shiver run down my spine as my father released my hand, and I took my place beside him.

The priest began to speak, his words a distant hum as I felt his eyes still fixed on me, his presence suffocating me. I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, trapped in a marriage with this man who seemed to hold such power over me.

As the priest pronounced us husband and wife, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. The moment of truth had arrived - the kiss. I had been dreading this moment, fearing Alessandro's lips on mine, his touch, his possessiveness.

But instead, he  surprised me. He leaned in, his eyes never leaving mine, and gently kissed my cheeks, one and then the other. The soft brush of his lips was almost tender, a stark contrast to the fierce intensity I had expected.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, mixed with confusion. Why had he spared me the intimate kiss? Was it a sign of mercy, or just a calculated move to keep up appearances?

As he pulled back, a small smile played on his lips, and I wondered what he was thinking. Was he enjoying my discomfort, my fear? Or was there something more to this enigmatic man?

The crowd erupted into applause, and we turned to face them, hand in hand, a perfect facade of happiness and unity. But I knew the truth - I was trapped, bound to this man by vows and circumstance, with no clear escape in sight.

As the car pulled away from the wedding venue, I felt a sense of desperation wash over me. I was trapped, married to a man who terrified me, with no clear escape route. I knew I had to think fast, come up with a plan to free myself from this toxic union.