Eighteen

CHAPTER 18

The wedding day had arrived. Antonio stood at the altar of the small church he had rented, wearing his characteristic arrogant smile. He donned a perfectly tailored black suit, as if his body was wrapped in sharp architecture full of control.

The room was filled with guests, most of them his well-dressed business associates, faces that signified they were important people in Antonio's world. They all smiled, shook hands with one another, as if this was an exclusive party—not merely a celebration of love, but a declaration of power.

Cassandra arrived alone, without a companion or family. She wore a white gown that flowed gracefully, sweeping the floor, with delicate lace on the sleeves and neckline that exuded quiet yet cold elegance. Sunlight streaming through the church's stained glass windows refracted on her dress, making her appear as if she were glowing. But no smile graced her face; only a guarded, cold gaze in her eyes, as if she were trying to keep her distance from everyone in the room—especially Antonio.

Antonio watched Cassandra walking down the aisle with a satisfied look. He noticed how his guests stared at the woman, admiring her beauty. To him, Cassandra was not just a life partner; she was the perfect accessory to complete his image in the eyes of the world. When Cassandra finally reached the altar, Antonio greeted her with a polite smile, but Cassandra could sense something sharp behind that smile—a kind of soft, unspoken threat.

The wedding ceremony proceeded quickly, without much ado. The priest recited the wedding vows, which to Cassandra sounded like an empty ritual. She uttered the words, though her voice sounded hollow. Antonio confidently extended the ring, slipping it onto Cassandra’s ring finger, gazing at her as if marking his possession. When it was Cassandra’s turn to place the ring on Antonio’s finger, her hand trembled slightly, though she tried hard to hide it.

Once it was over, they walked down the aisle toward the church exit, greeted by applause from the guests, who smiled broadly as if this was a perfect celebration. Antonio bowed his head slightly, thanking each guest who congratulated them. But Cassandra knew all those smiles were for Antonio—not for her.

The reception was held in a luxurious hotel ballroom with classic decorations and sparkling crystal lights, creating a grand and formal atmosphere. Antonio greeted each guest with a diplomatic smile, introducing Cassandra in a manner that made her seem like a trophy he had just won. However, Cassandra felt a distance between herself and the guests. Not a single one of them was familiar to her; they were all strangers whose concern seemed solely tied to their connection with Antonio.

Antonio raised a glass of wine in the middle of the party, inviting his guests for a toast. He spoke in a confident tone, describing Cassandra as the woman who would accompany him in "a great adventure in life." Those words made Cassandra’s stomach churn. To her, this was no adventure; it was a prison she was trapped in with no way out.

After Antonio finished his speech, Cassandra slipped away from the crowd. She walked to the balcony, inhaling the cold night air, trying to calm her restless heart. In the silence of the balcony, she imagined Uncle Lionel and Aunt Marry, who had always been there for her since she was a child, giving her unconditional love. However, they were not here. Antonio had given her a reason that they couldn’t attend the wedding, but Cassandra knew the real reason was that Antonio never invited them.

As she stood on the balcony, lost in thought, Antonio appeared behind her, gently touching her shoulder. Cassandra held her breath, feeling the coldness of his touch.

“A beautiful view, isn’t it?” Antonio commented, his voice sounding warm, but Cassandra knew it was just a facade. She remained silent, not responding.

Antonio pulled her closer, his gaze seemingly piercing through Cassandra’s face. “This is just the beginning of all that you will experience, Cassandra,” he whispered softly in her ear, his tone seductive yet laced with a clear threat.

The business associates present appeared respectful yet cautious whenever dealing with Antonio. They bowed, smiled stiffly, and always seemed careful with their words, as if one mistake could have dire consequences. Behind those smiles, Cassandra caught faint but real shadows of fear. Her courage faltered momentarily as she witnessed it all. Antonio seemed to have a greater influence than she had imagined.

Cassandra tried to maintain her composure, though her heart grew heavier. She watched how Antonio moved from one group of guests to another with confidence, as if the place was a stage created just for him. Everyone he greeted appeared to show him respect; some even patted his shoulder or laughed awkwardly at his jokes, though Cassandra knew their smiles were insincere.

Antonio never let her stray far from his side. Whenever a guest tried to introduce themselves to her, Antonio quickly pulled Cassandra closer. “Cassandra, dear, this is Mr. Raymond,” Antonio said, introducing one of his guests in a sweet but cold tone. Cassandra extended her hand, looking at the middle-aged man in front of her. But Mr. Raymond only gave her a brief glance before returning his focus to Antonio, waiting for permission to speak.

“Congratulations on your wedding,” Raymond finally said, his smile awkward. “Antonio, as always, you’ve managed to surprise us all.”

Antonio chuckled lightly, patting Raymond’s shoulder in a familiar but cold manner. “I know you enjoy surprises, Raymond,” he replied, with a look that felt like a subtle warning. Cassandra observed the interaction with growing unease. This was more than just a wedding; it was a power display, where she was merely a pawn Antonio used.

As the party wore on, Cassandra once again sought a chance to avoid the crowd. She approached a side table laden with untouched food and drinks. Her thoughts drifted to Uncle Lionel and Aunt Marry. They had always supported her in everything, teaching her values of kindness that now felt so distant from the reality she was living. Why weren’t they here? The question haunted her thoughts. But as she pondered, Antonio’s shadow approached from behind.

Antonio stood beside her, gently touching her back. Cassandra stiffened, trying to control the tension slowly taking over her body.

“Why are you alone, dear?” Antonio whispered softly, his tone gentle but full of control.

Cassandra turned, attempting a polite smile. “I just wanted to observe the party from afar, Antonio.” Her voice sounded calm, though her heart was racing.

Antonio looked at her with a meaningful gaze. “You’ll need to get used to all this, Cassandra,” he said softly, his face drawing closer, his voice lowering. “Because from now on, your life will always be under the world’s scrutiny.”

Cassandra didn’t respond. She merely diverted her gaze to the crowd of guests chatting in the ballroom, feeling as if she were a bird in a golden cage. Suddenly, Antonio touched her chin, lifting Cassandra’s face so they were eye to eye.

“I’m serious, Cassandra,” he whispered gently but with intensity, as if hypnotizing her. “And I want you to know I’m not joking about any of this.”

Without warning, Antonio leaned in and kissed Cassandra. His touch was intense, filled with surprising and unexpected passion. Cassandra’s eyes widened in shock; it was the first time a man had kissed her with such fervor.