The Wedding

The grand ballroom's crystal chandeliers refracted colours across the polished marble floor, casting a glow of hues. But none of it impressed me.

"I do," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

My eyes locked onto Damian's, his gaze burning with intensity. His smile faltered for a moment, as if he saw something in my eyes - a flicker of doubt, a spark of resentment.

Damian's eyes seemed to gleam with triumph, his smile smug. He thought he'd won.

The reception was a whirlwind of laughter and tears, of champagne toasts and forced smiles. Damian's hand on my waist felt suffocating, his fingers brushing against mine like a branding iron.

His touch sent shivers down my spine, but not the kind he intended.

As the night drew to a close, Damian led me to our luxurious suite. Soft candlelight danced across the room, casting shadows on the walls. The king-size bed seemed to loom over us, a constant reminder of the expectations.

But I wouldn't submit.

"Tonight changes everything," Damian whispered, his breath caressing my ear.

His eyes gleamed with anticipation, his voice husky with desire.

I stepped back, my heart racing. My satin gown rustled softly, the delicate fabric shimmering in the candlelight.

"Don't touch me," I spat, my voice venomous.

Damian's expression faltered. His brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

"You," I replied, my words barely above a whisper. "Everything about you."

Damian's eyes flashed with anger.

"You're my wife now," he growled. "You'll do your duty."

I shook my head, my diamond tiara glinting in the candlelight.

"I'll never be yours," I hissed.

Damian's jaw clenched.

"Fine," he snapped.

I turned and fled to the adjacent room, locking the door behind me. Damian stood outside, confusion etched on his face, I sensed it.

"Why does she hate me?" he wondered. "What have I done?"

I sighed. He had no idea.

I locked the door behind me, the soft click echoing through the silence. The luxurious suite's opulence seemed to mock me, its elegance a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.

As I paced across the room, Sophie's face floated in my mind. My best friend, my confidante, the one I'd kept in the dark.

Guilt gnawed at my conscience like a relentless pest. Why hadn't I told Sophie? Why had I kept it a secret?

But I knew why. To protect her, to shield her from the truth. Damian's face intruded on my thoughts, his smile and eyes lingering in my mind like a spectre.

I shuddered, my skin crawling at the memory of his touch.

"No," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

I wouldn't think about him. Not now. Not ever.

Sophie's voice echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of my deception.

"Lisa, what's going on? You seem distant."

"I'm fine, Sophie. Just stressed."

Lies. All lies. But necessary. To keep Sophie safe. From Damian. From his family. From their secrets.

I stopped pacing, my chest heaving. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within.

Had I made the right decision? Keeping Sophie in the dark. Protecting her. But at what cost? My own happiness? My own freedom?

The questions swirled in my mind, taunting me like a cruel joke.

************************

Damian's Pov

Weeks into our honeymoon, and the tension between us was palpable. Lisa's icy demeanour hadn't thawed, despite my efforts.

I found myself drawn to her, captivated by her beauty and intrigued by her hostility.

As we strolled through the moonlit gardens of our luxurious villa, the scent of jasmine and roses filled the air.

The soft glow of lanterns cast a golden light on Lisa's face, highlighting the sharp angles of her cheekbones and the fullness of her lips.

Her silk gown shimmered in the soft light, her raven hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.

The sound of the fountain provided a soothing background melody, but it did little to ease the strain between us.

I felt like I was walking on eggshells, never knowing what would trigger her next outburst.

"Why do you hate me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lisa's eyes flashed, her gaze piercing.

"I don't hate you," she lied.

Her voice was laced with venom, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Then what is it?" I pressed.

Lisa's laughter was cold, sending shivers down my spine.

"Supposed to?" she spat. "You mean forced to?"

I frowned. "What's going on, Lisa? What have I done?"

Lisa's expression hardened.

"Nothing," she snapped. "You've done nothing."

I sighed. "I don't understand," I admitted. "I've tried to be patient, to give you space. But...I feel like there's something more. Something you're not telling me."

Lisa's eyes darted away.

"There's nothing," she muttered.

I stepped closer.

"Lisa, look at me," I said.

Her gaze met mine.

"Tell me," I urged. "What's going on?"

Lisa's jaw clenched.

"Nothing," she repeated.

The silence between us grew thicker.

"Is it my family?" I asked.

Lisa's eyes narrowed.

"What about your family?" she replied.

"Is it the wealth? The status?"

Lisa's laughter was bitter.

"You think that's what this is about?"

I shrugged. "I don't know," I admitted. "I don't know what's going on inside your head."

Lisa's expression softened. For a moment. Then it hardened again.

"I'm tired," Lisa said finally. "I'm going to bed."

And with that, she vanished into the night. Leaving me with more questions.

And a growing sense of unease.

As I watched her disappear, I felt a chill run down my spine.

What secrets was Lisa hiding?

Was it something I'd done?

Or something she'd never forgive?

I stood there, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens, yet feeling lost and alone.

The sound of the fountain seemed to mock me, its gentle melody a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.

But amidst the confusion, one thought stood out:

How did I fall for her so deeply?

Was it love at first sight?

No, it couldn't be.

I didn't believe in that.

But all I knew was that I liked her.

Really liked her.

Despite her icy exterior, I sensed a spark within.

A spark I desperately wanted to ignite.

But why?

What was it about Lisa that drew me in?

Her beauty?

Her intelligence?

Or something more?

I shook my head.

It didn't matter.

What mattered was that I couldn't shake off the feeling.

The feeling that I needed her.

That I wanted her.

That I couldn't imagine living without her.

My thoughts went back to days before now…

My phone buzzed, shrill in the silence, displaying an unknown number.

The screen glowed like a tiny moon in the dimly lit room.

"Stay away from Lisa," the text read. "Or you'll regret it."

My gut tightened, a knot of unease forming.

Who was this?

And how did they know about Lisa?

I tried to call the number, but it went straight to voicemail, the robotic voice echoing in my ear.

I checked the call logs, my eyes scanning the numbers.

Only two were linked to this unknown sender.

Mine.

And Lisa's.

My mind racing, I wondered if Lisa was involved.

Was she playing games with me?

Or was she in danger?

The room seemed to close in around me, the shadows deepening.

I felt trapped.

I needed answers.

Should I confront her?

Or investigate further?

I decided to tread carefully.

For now, I'd keep this to myself.

But I couldn't shake off the feeling.

That someone was watching us.

Waiting to strike.

The villa's grandeur seemed to mock me, its opulence a fragile facade.

I felt like I was living in a nightmare.

As night fell, the darkness outside mirrored the turmoil within.

The stars twinkled like ice chips in the sky.

I couldn't sleep.

The threat lingered.

And I knew I had to act.