chapter 4

Isabella POV

"Do you take Niccolò Este as your lawful husband, to have and to hold him, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love him and cherish him until death do you part?"

I stood there with numbness in my body. Words stuck in my throat, with pain growing inside my heart. I want to scream and deny this marriage, but I can't do anything but accept my defeat. Gulping down the tears, I spoke as my lips trembled.

"I do."

As those words slip from my lips, tears roll down my cheeks. I feel so disgusted with myself. Marrying my father's killer? Seriously Bella? He literally forced me, leaving me with no option but to act submissive.

"Now, you may kiss the bride," Father said with a smile on his face.

I couldn't hear the loud noise of the people shouting and congratulating us. Niccolò moved forward, stepping closer to me. As I felt him closer, my heart raced. At his proximity, my eyes closed unknowingly, and my lips trembled, sensing him wrapping his strong arms around my waist.

My hands rested on his warm chest while I waited for him to kiss me. Please, God, don't let this happen. Make me invisible. I can't KISS Niccolò Este.

My thoughts halted when I felt his cold, rough lips sealing my warm, soft lips. The feeling of his lips against mine made my whole body shiver. He didn't move his lips to kiss me; he just sealed our lips together without any movement.

Now. MOVE BACKKK.

I screamed inside my head because I couldn't really breathe being this close to him. A few seconds later, he moved back but didn't leave me. Leaning closer to my left ear, he softly whispered.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Niccolò Este." The warmth of his lips lingered on my skin even though he didn't touch my ear. Yet I could feel him.

Moving completely back, he gave me space to breathe after taking away my breath. He is just fueling my hate for him. Locking my waist with his strong arms, he pulled me closer to put the ring on my finger.

It was a beautiful diamond ring that was crafted artistically. Lifting my hands closer to his lips, he planted a gentle kiss, which made my stomach churn differently.

"Welcome to my world, Bella." His words were gentle, which calmed me down.

His friend, who was trying to get my attention earlier, passed me the ring so that I could make Niccolò wear it. My hands shiver while holding the ring. Niccolò forwarded his hand without any effort, letting me put the ring on his finger.

His finger feels warm against mine. Soon, I heard fire crackers exploding outside the mansion. It was still daytime, and the fire crackers weren't visible to anyone, but the sound was enough to know how many crackers were busted in my forced wedding.

Alighting from the stage with him beside me like always, we met few people who came forward to wish us for our wedding. I wasn't interested in their wishes.

"You look beautiful, Isabella." One of the men spoke while eying me from head to toe.

Fucker can't control his eyes and was looking at me like I am some piece of meat. Before anyone could react or speak, the man who had his dirty gaze on me was on the ground, all dead. I don't need to turn and see who is behind this.

Niccolò Este.

He killed that man in front of hundreds of people without any mercy. So brutally. My heart felt that it would leap out with the loud sound of the gun.

"Take him away. Feed his body to our train dogs. It's been days since they had real meat." he ordered without realizing the impact of the words on my sensitive heart.

How can someone be so cruel and heartless? If he is dead, then bury him. Why feed to some dogs? Why this cruelty? What can we even expect from a man who betrayed my father behind his back?

"Niccolò, why did you shoot someone, even on your own wedding day?" Mr. Marino asked.

I guess he is the same man who once came to our mansion to meet Dad. Such a cowed man. He accepted Niccolò as the next leader so easily.

"No one dares to look at my wife with dirty intentions, and if anyone dares, then they will meet his fate." his voice was threatening, which made everyone present there rooted on their place.

His arms tightened around my waist, which was now painful as I couldn't handle the grip anymore. Sensing my discomfort, he loosened up his grip and caressed my waist with his palm to soothe the pain.

After his proclamation, no one needed any more words to know what that man did to make Niccolò angry and kill him. No one can dare to eye Niccolò's wife.

His wife.

The lights of the hall were dimmed, and people with their couples got indulge in couple dance. Even Marco was dancing with one of the ladies, whom I didn't recognize.

They look cute together.

"Bella."

I look towards Niccolò, hearing his voice. He wanted to ask me something which was clear on his expression. Lips pressed against each other as if he is controlling himself from saying something.

"Can I have a dance with you?" he questioned, politely.

He can be a good actor someday.

"Why are you taking my permission now? Didn't you think about permission before forcing me into this stupid marriage game?" I whispered, yelling at him, shifting away from him.

"Bella, please don't create any scene here. We will talk about this later." He tried to come closer again, but I just moved back, which made him lose control.

"I am creating scene?? It's you who have made my life a joke by forcing me to marry him." I raised my voice, catching a few people's attention.

Niccolò glared at him, which made them look away from us. Turning his gaze back to me, he forcefully held my forearm, pulling me closer for dancing.

"You don't know anything other than forcing someone," I spoke angrily while I was pulled closer against his chest from my waist.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he made me move around. His closeness makes me hate him more.

"You know I hate you so much," I whispered as he leaned closer to join our foreheads together.

"I know, and I don't have any problem with it. You can hate me as much as you want. It won't change the truth that you are my wife from now," he replied, which made me sigh with heaviness.

He is a psychopath.

"Forced wife. If you have forgotten, then let me remind you that you forced me to marry you after killing my father." I groan angerily, seeing him all silent.

"I haven't forgotten anything, Bella." He replied while leaning closer to my neck base. 

I couldn't even push him away because everyone's eyes were on us. His lips met a particular place on my neck, which made my breath hitch. Biting my flesh between his teeth, he spoke. 

"I did everything for protecting you, my dear wife," he breathed against my shoulder.