Chapter 1

Sofia's Pov

My eyelids were heavy and so was my heart, I couldn't believe my father would do such a thing to me.

I'm not even ready for marriage yet, I'm only twenty years old and he sold me off to a man far older than me. My little brother Carl held onto my white wedding dress, “Sofia, is today your wedding day?” He asked curiously and I gave him a bitter smile, the thought of leaving him behind makes my heart ache and I know my father wouldn't care for him like I do.

“Yes, Carl” I replied and he pouted fiddling with my dress, I was wondering if my so-called husband would let me take him, I heard he has kids I will be taking care of too, and maybe he wouldn't mind me taking my brother along.

But I knew better than to lie to myself about it, he is a ruthless man from what I heard and even if I haven't seen him I'm already scared to death with the thought of being tied to him, forever.

The makeup artists entered my room and the woman who helped me wear my dress left the room with Carl, while they thought he was a distraction I was holding back my tears because of him, and I wanted him to stay by my side.

The makeup artist started applying powder on my face and in a few minutes, I couldn't recognize my face anymore.

I, Sofia Rosario will be getting married to an unknown man today, my father used me to pay his debt and as if that isn't enough he didn't even care to show up and tell me he is sorry.

What did I expect? He doesn't care all he cares about is drinking and living his miserable life. I have always shielded Carl away from him because I don't want him to be like my father, I just hope my husband will let me take him because if I'm gone my father will be frustrated without his punching bag, and the image of Carl going through so much pain didn't sit well with me.

“Are you alright, Miss?” The makeup artist asked, then I noticed the teardrops running down my cheeks, I sniffed and nodded forcing a smile.

My father was still nowhere to be found after they were done with me, they were arguing about the bride's necklace I was supposed to be wearing as I stood there oblivious to what they were saying.

What diamond necklace?

“It was ordered along with her dress can't you see that we only saw the earrings, he won't be happy if he sees his bride without it”

I sighed deeply as they went about searching for the necklace in my little shabby room, they gave up when they couldn't find it and didn't bother to ask me.

It's not as if I know what's going on they might think of me as a dumb young girl, then I remembered seeing my dad in my room last night.

My vision was blurry after crying for hours and finally getting some sleep, he looked like he was hiding something.

Oh my God! He stole the necklace I was supposed to wear for my wedding, my lips trembled as tears streamed down my chin.

“Oh poor girl” One of the women cooed getting a chair for me to sit down, the makeup artist tsks and started wiping my face. I know I'm making their job harder than usual but I couldn't help it, why would someone be so heartless to their own blood?

I didn't even go to college because of him and I sacrificed everything just so we could eat daily, working nonstop every day only for him to start hitting me and stealing my money.

“I'm sure you will make a good wife” The women patted my back and I burst into tears, how do I tell them I don't want to be a good wife, I just want a normal life for me and my little brother.

After dolling me up again I swallowed trying to get rid of the heavy lump in my throat, there was a knock on the door and I shuddered.

The door creaked open and a bulky man dressed in a black suit walked in, “Permission to take the bride to the chapel” He bowed his head, and I breathed in a sigh of relief.

He is the driver and he is not my husband, thank God I might have fainted if he had shown up here.

Is not as if I will try to run when my little brother's life is at stake, I covered my face with the veil and carried my bouquet as they fixed my flowing dress.

I followed him outside our house and Carl was waiting by the car too, my eyes widened as I saw the Rolls Royce parked outside.

I gulped as he opened the door, I gestured for Carl to go in first before I hopped in, and the women who helped me dress up gathered the end of my dress and shoved it inside the car.

I hated whoever I was getting married to for mocking me like this, getting a fancy long dress for me as if I was marrying him out of my own will.

The driver got in and drove immediately taking me to seal my fate, I kept smiling at Carl as he talked about how cool our ride was, If only he knew that it was leading me to my doom.

We arrived at the chapel at the exact time I was supposed to be walking down the aisle, except there was one small problem.

There was no one to walk me down the aisle, and my husband was not at the altar waiting for his blushing bride, ironic isn't it?

I walked the walk of shame to the empty alter with no one to take my hand, my little brother was led to take a seat at the front by our driver.

I straightened my spine as the people whispered as I got to the alter, suddenly a man scary-looking man dressed in a gray suit stepped forward and the priest sighed.

“The boss won't be attending, let me take it from here,” He said gruffly and I blinked rapidly.

So he isn't my husband?! My father didn't attend and my husband didn't bother to come too.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God … ”

The priest solemnly said the nonsense and the words drifted away from my ears. I was busy convincing myself that maybe he was a good person when a loud gunshot burst out and blood spattered on my veil. I froze as the man before me dropped dead with half of his head blown off.

Screams and sounds of gunshots filled the room but I just stood there, staring at the dead wide-eyed man in a pool of his blood.

The priest was praying for God to help me when a cold-looking man stepped into my view, if I thought the dead man looked scary then this man was the most terrifying man I have ever laid my eyes on.

“Are you my wife?” He asked in a cold tone and I turned into a stone.