Lily's POV:
I lay in bed, tears streaming down my face, overwhelmed by a flood of thoughts and emotions. I couldn't quite wrap my head around the reality that tomorrow would be the day I finally got married. It felt surreal, almost like a dream, and yet I couldn't shake the sadness that lingered in my heart. I couldn't help but think that if I had never been born, my mother might still be alive. This heavy realization weighed on me, making it hard to find peace. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I closed my eyes, hoping for some respite.
When I finally woke up, the sun was just beginning to peek through my window, illuminating the room with a soft, golden light. I glanced at the clock and saw it was 6 A.M. A wave of gratitude washed over me as I thought, "Thank God I woke up on time." I knew I had a busy day ahead, filled with last-minute preparations for the wedding.
I quickly jumped out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, heart racing with anticipation and a hint of anxiety. I pulled out the ingredients and began preparing breakfast for my dad and my aunt, wanting to create a warm start to what would be a pivotal day for all of us. The smell of sizzling eggs and freshly toasted bread filled the air, mingling with the scent of brewing coffee.
Once I finished, I called out to my dad to let him know breakfast was ready. Moments later, he came downstairs, He looked at me and said, "Come join us!" I felt a surge of warmth as a sense of normalcy washed over me amidst the chaos of emotions. I joined them at the table, grateful for the small moments we shared before the whirlwind of the day began.
when they were done eating he said to me " go wash your self and wear a dress on your bed quickly and come downstairs after the wedding your husband will take you to his house " he said coldly and I nodded I tried to wash the dishes but he said "are you dumb bitch I told you to go upstairs quickly " I gasped and then ran quickly to my room I lucked the door and went to the bathroom and take a shower i only take 15 minutes in there i com to my room and saw a box when i opened there was a wedding dress it was so beautiful
I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach as I rushed to finish my tasks. 'I don't want to get hit again, so I better hurry up,' I thought, the urgency pulling me forward. Once I finally completed everything, I glanced in the mirror and recoiled at the reflection staring back at me. Disgust washed over me; I couldn't fathom how someone could look so defeated and unkempt. A wave of sorrow enveloped me as I thought about my husband—what had he seen in me to choose to marry someone so seemingly worthless? I had been caught in a cycle of self-sabotage, my mind relentlessly criticizing every flaw. Just as I was spiraling deeper into those negative thoughts, I heard my dad's voice erupting with frustration from the other room, snapping me back to reality.
"Bitch what are you starting at come down quickly "he said and I got scared then I nodded and go downstairs with him when I got there I saw two men standing one was clear to me that to be a priest but the other man looked angry I think he is my husband and when he looked at me he was shocked I don't know why maybe he thinks that I am too ugly? I heard my father cleared his throat and said " ahem Ricardo this is my daughter Lily Lopez the one that you're going to marry " he said and didn't even bother to explain to me who is my husband but that's okay since I'm nobody I looked at my soon to be husband and when I looked at his eyes he immediately takes his eyes off me and glared at my father like he wanted to kill him just by his look I now that he hates my father and of course why not since my father was his enemy I sighed and my dad told me to go and stand near my husband I was scared 'since my dad is here he is not going to kill me right?
As I stood nervously in front of the altar, the priest's voice echoed in my mind: "Do you, Lily Lopez, accept Ricardo del Romano as your husband to love and cherish?" My heart raced as I glanced at Ricardo, only to find his expression dark and filled with anger. A knot tightened in my stomach, and I quickly realized the gravity of the moment.
The weight of his gaze felt like a thousand questions pouring into my mind. Did I truly understand what I was committing to? Was there something I had done to provoke his ire? It all felt overwhelming. I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, "Y...y...yes, I...I do."
Despite my shaky response, Ricardo's glare remained intense, somehow more furious than before, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just crossed an invisible line. Panic surged through me as I pondered what had gone wrong, desperately searching for clues in his heated expression. Had I disappointed him? Did he see me as unworthy? All I knew was that at that moment, everything felt wrong, and I was consumed by a sense of dread.
And then the priest said "do you Ricardo del Romano will take Lily Lopez as your wife to love and cherish?"said the priest
"I do"he said
And glaring at me I gulped and looked down then we changed the rings after that we left
I was relieved that I had already packed my bags before we left the mansion. As we stepped out into the sunlight, my gaze was immediately drawn to an exquisite car parked near the driveway—something unlike any vehicle I had ever encountered. Its sleek design and shimmering finish hinted at luxury and sophistication.
The driver approached me with a courteous smile, effortlessly lifting the bags from my hands. He handled them with care, placing them gently into the trunk of the car before turning back to us. With a respectful nod, he opened the door, inviting my husband and me to step inside.
As we pulled away from the sprawling estate, my heart raced with anxiety. Questions swirled in my mind: what awaited me at our destination? Would my husband's temper take a dark turn the moment we arrived, or would I face my fate right here and now? I struggled to push those terrifying thoughts aside, turning my focus to the world outside the window instead.
This was my first true glimpse beyond the mansion walls, and I was captivated by the beauty surrounding me. The scenery unfolded like a vibrant painting, rich in color and life. "Oh my goodness," I thought, marveling at the landscape rushing by. "How can anyone get bored in a place as stunning as this?" The rolling hills, dotted with wildflowers, and the bright blue sky filled with fluffy clouds left me in awe. It was a breathtaking reminder of the beauty that existed outside my previously confined existence, and it filled me with a mixture of fear and wonder.
All the way I was looking outside through the window and smiling like a child
As I caught sight of the swing swaying gently in the breeze, a wave of excitement washed over me. I couldn't help but smile widely, an unrestrained joy bubbling up inside, and I let out a laugh that echoed in the quiet surroundings like an enthusiastic kid. However, that carefree moment was abruptly interrupted when I heard him clear his throat nearby.
A chill ran down my spine, and I instantly froze, a cold knot of awareness tightening in my chest as the realization hit me – I wasn't alone. I shifted my gaze downward, unable to meet his eyes, a storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. *Does he hate me now? Will he just turn away and leave me behind?* The silence felt heavy, and the weight of my insecurities pressed down on me, amplifying my fears.
We drove for what felt like an eternity, nearly half an hour without a word spoken, the road stretching endlessly before us. I kept my gaze fixed on my lap, my heart pounding with curiosity and fear, daring not to look up again. Finally, the car came to a stop, and I hesitated for a moment before slowly lifting my eyes.
What I saw took my breath away—a grand, sprawling house loomed before me, its architecture unlike anything I had ever encountered. It was majestic and imposing, with tall columns and an intricately designed facade that seemed to whisper stories of a different time. I felt a surge of awe mixed with confusion. I had no idea what this place was called or what it represented.
My father had always been adamant about keeping me sheltered from the outside world, going to great lengths to ensure I remained unaware of such wonders. He forbade me from watching television or reading about anything that might reveal the existence of this life. So here I was, bewildered and captivated, confronted by a world I had only heard my dad and my aunt talking about but had never truly known.
As we approached our destination, the driver turned to my husband with a polite but firm tone, saying, "Sir, we've arrived at the airport." My husband, looking slightly bewildered "Huh? What is an airport? Is it like a hotel? I think I heard my father mention that you stay there and sleep," I thought my brow furrowed in confusion. "Maybe I heard it from someone else, perhaps my aunt?"
With a hint of irritation in his voice, my husband replied, "Alright, we're going now. You follow us." He shot me a cold glance, an unspoken reminder to keep up, and then gestured for me to move ahead.
As we stepped out of the vehicle and walked towards the entrance of the airport, I was instantly struck by the sheer volume of people. It was as though the world had gathered in one place—voices mingled, laughter erupted, and the rush of travelers with their luggage created an atmosphere that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. I had never been in such a crowd before, and I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension as I navigated my way through the throng of strangers, all bustling about with purpose.
As I stood there, I couldn't shake off the feeling of shyness and awkwardness that enveloped me. My husband moved quickly ahead, and after a moment's hesitation, I decided to follow him. We soon arrived at a place that was unfamiliar to me; it was bustling with activity, and I couldn't quite grasp what was happening around us.
Above me, a sign caught my attention— it read "Passport Control." Suddenly, a realization hit me. "Oh, I have a passport!" I exclaimed internally. My mind raced, recalling something I overheard Aunt Jessica mention. "If you go through passport control, then you must be getting on a plane," I thought, feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. Yet, a question lingered in my mind, "But what is a plane?" The term felt foreign, and I found myself eager to understand where this journey was leading us.
As I was lost in my thoughts, my husband unexpectedly took hold of my hand, pulling me along with a cold face that caught me off guard. He guided me through the bustling crowd, weaving expertly until we arrived at a spacious area where an impressive vehicle stood in front of us. I blinked in disbelief as I took in its size, realizing it was no ordinary car. "Wait, is that a plane?" I exclaimed, astonished by its massive wings and sleek fuselage that gleamed under the sunlight. The moment was surreal, mixing awe with confusion as I tried to process what I was actually seeing.
As we approached the large car, a sense of excitement filled the air. Upon entering, I was greeted by the sight of several unfamiliar faces, all chatting animatedly. My husband, with a firm but gentle grip, guided me through the crowd and towards two empty seats to the 'VIP SEATS'. Once we settled in, he turned to me with an emotionless face. "Make sure to fasten your seatbelt," he said, his tone both cold and serious. I nodded, feeling the car vibrate slightly as it warmed up, ready for our journey ahead.
As I scanned my surroundings, my gaze fell on my seat, but to my dismay, I couldn't find my belt. I glanced over at him, only to find him staring at me with a look that made me feel stupid and exposed. My heart raced as he stepped closer, and an uneasy feeling crept in—I feared he might be about to hit me. Instinctively, I closed my eyes and took a small step back, bracing myself for the worst.
To my surprise, instead of aggression, he gently made me stand up. With a swift motion, he reached down and retrieved the belt that I hadn't noticed lying beneath me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized the situation—"Oh my god, that's so embarrassing," I thought to myself, wishing I could sink into the ground.
Once the belt was in his hands, he guided me back to my seat, gesturing for me to sit down again. As he fastened my belt for me, I felt a mix of gratitude and humiliation. I wanted to express my thanks for his unexpected kindness, but before I could gather the words, he turned and walked away, disappearing around the corner as quickly as he had arrived.....