The grand hall was adorned with lavish floral arrangements and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, filling the space with a warm, golden light. Everything had been meticulously prepared, from the elegant rose petal path to the soft music floating through the air. But to Valeria, the atmosphere felt stifling. Trapped in a dress that felt more like a lace cage than a symbol of love and commitment, she stood by the window, watching the guests as they began to fill the hall.
She had dreamed of this day as a little girl, imagining every detail: true love, the perfect man, a fairytale. But now, as she looked toward the altar, she realized this was not the happy ending she had wished for. Leonardo, standing across the room in his impeccable black suit, was conversing with his mother, not even sparing her a glance.
The atmosphere was heavy, not with excitement, but with cold formality. Around her, the whispers of the guests seemed louder than the music in the background. She could feel their gazes—some envious, some curious. And then there were those who knew the secrets, who understood the sacrifices she had made to arrive at this moment.
"Valeria, dear," her mother said, approaching and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone's waiting. It's time."
She nodded slowly, forcing a smile. As she walked toward the altar, her mind swirled with dark thoughts and memories of what she had once wanted for herself. With each step, the weight of the decision she was about to seal became more unbearable.
Each step Valeria took toward the altar sank her deeper into an unease that tightened around her chest. At the end of the aisle, the guests' gazes entwined in a web of expectations, enveloping her and immobilizing her will. The sound of her own heels on the marble echoed in her ears, marking the rhythm of a fate that no longer felt like hers.
When she finally reached Leonardo, she glanced at him briefly. His expression was stony, impassive, and though his lips hinted at a smile, his eyes were cold, as if he were fulfilling a duty rather than committing to a promise of love. A shiver ran down Valeria's spine.
The priest began to speak, reciting words that were meant to be sacred, but to her, they sounded hollow and distant. The vows, which should have been a promise of eternal love, became chains binding her, a reminder of all she had left behind. The ceremony continued, and her thoughts churned, a torrent of repressed emotions.
In a moment of silence, Valeria lifted her gaze toward the guests, her eyes desperately searching for an anchor, something that would shake her, reminding her there was still time to escape. And then she saw him, across the hall, standing in the shadows: David. Her old love, the man with whom she once dreamed of a different life, was there, looking at her with a mixture of surprise and pain.
Her heart raced, and for a brief instant, she felt a glimmer of hope—a whisper of what could have been if she had taken a different path. But that moment faded as quickly as it arrived, leaving only a deeper emptiness.
Leonardo noticed her distraction. "Are you all right?" he murmured quietly, with a tone lacking true interest.
"Yes," she replied automatically, forcing herself to look away from David. There was no turning back now; she could not afford to show weakness. Not here, not now.
The priest continued, and finally, it was time to exchange rings. Leonardo took her hand, and Valeria felt the cold metal sliding onto her finger. His grip was firm, almost a warning. When it was her turn, with trembling hands, she slid the ring onto his finger, sealing a fate she could not escape.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," proclaimed the priest, and a round of applause cut through the silence, echoing off the walls of the hall.
Valeria barely felt Leonardo's lips on hers—a kiss as superficial and empty as that of two strangers, not the beginning of a shared life. When they parted, she turned to the crowd and smiled, but inside, she felt she had signed away her life.
The reception took place in a spacious garden adorned with crystal lights hanging from the trees, giving the setting a dreamlike touch. Music filled the air, and the guests laughed and chatted merrily. Yet Valeria barely heard the words of congratulations directed at her, one after another. Her mind was elsewhere, trapped in a whirlwind of thoughts that kept her from enjoying the moment.
Leonardo seemed to be enjoying the guests' attention, moving from one group to another, exchanging smiles and toasts with those around him. Valeria watched him from a distance, feeling that with each passing minute, he grew farther away. It wasn't just a physical distance, but something deeper, something that had settled between them long before today.
At one point, a guest approached Valeria with a glass of champagne. "Happy, dear?" asked an older woman, her warm smile hiding a genuine search for sincerity in her eyes.
"Yes, of course," Valeria replied, forcing a smile. She took a sip from the glass, letting the bubbly flavor slide down her throat, hoping the alcohol would calm the nerves twisting her stomach. But nothing changed. The discomfort lingered, lurking like a shadow.
As the night wore on, Valeria realized that Leonardo barely looked at her. When they finally crossed paths in the middle of the garden, she tried to take his hand, seeking a moment of connection, a sign that all of this had a purpose. But he gently released her hand, as if the gesture were unnecessary.
"Valeria," he said in a low but cold voice, "today we have to show everyone that we're happy. Don't make this awkward."
She looked at him in disbelief, unable to respond. His words struck her like a slap. She felt anger and sadness mix inside her, forming a knot in her throat that she could barely contain. But she forced herself to remain composed, reminding herself that now, more than ever, she had to keep up appearances.
After that encounter, Valeria retreated to a corner of the garden, under the faint light of the stars, watching everyone from afar. A few minutes later, David approached her. She had avoided him all night, but now that he was there, she didn't have the strength to turn him away.
"Valeria, are you okay?" he asked, his eyes full of genuine concern.
She nodded, unable to find the words. David's presence reminded her of everything she had left behind, the promises they made, and the dreams they once shared. But now, those dreams were just distant memories, shadows of a life that would never be hers.
"If you ever need anything… you know I'll always be here for you," David whispered, looking at her with an intensity that made her feel more alive than she had felt all night.
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted the moment. "Valeria?" Leonardo approached, his expression severe. "Would you mind coming? They're waiting for us to have the first dance."
David stepped back with a slight nod, and Valeria watched him disappear into the crowd. Sighing, she turned to Leonardo, nodding silently and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.
The music started to play, and Leonardo placed a hand on her waist, moving to the rhythm with a precision that felt more rehearsed than natural. As they twirled across the floor, Valeria sensed him watching her, not with love, but with a sense of possession.
"It seems you were talking quite a bit with David," Leonardo murmured, his tone sharp.
"He's just a friend," Valeria replied, trying to stay calm.
"I hope so," he said, his words laced with an implicit warning. Valeria looked at him intently, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. In those cold, calculating eyes, she saw the life that awaited her: a marriage without love, without understanding, a golden cage from which there would be no escape.
When the music ended, Leonardo stepped away, returning to mingle with the guests. Valeria stood alone in the middle of the dance floor, feeling more isolated than ever, though surrounded by people. She clenched her fists, holding back tears, and promised herself that somehow, she would find a way out. But deep down, she knew that path would be dark and full of sacrifice.