Vanessa
"You don't have to do this, Nessa. We can find a way to escape," Alicia whispers, her fingers gripping my arm in a mix of reassurance and desperation. Since we don't have any parents, she was permitted to walk me down the aisle towards my impending doom.
How generous of him.
"No, I have to do this. It's the only way to keep us alive," I say firmly. She seeks more explanation with her gaze, but I remain silent.
She would lose her shit if she knew how eventful my day has already been. All she needs to understand is that I'm entering this marriage with our captor to secure our safety and well-being. I won't mention that part of me is also curious to experience even a fraction of the power that Diego holds.
I will as his wife.
The haunting melody of a mariachi band begins playing "Canon in D," resonating beautifully in the air. With determination, I hold my head up high as I start the descent down the aisle, surrounded by a sea of unfamiliar faces. Their collective gaze is fixed on me, their expressions strangely impassive. It's creepy as shit, so I shift my focus to the intricate diamonds encrusting my high heels. Nausea rises in my throat, a bitter taste mingling with the tension in the air. My eyes start tearing up unwillingly, and in the swell of emotion, I'm uncertain whether it's the emotional strain of the music or the weight of my grim destiny causing the silent cascade.
I can do this, I convince myself.
It's just the creepy priest and Diego waiting at the altar. Diego's tuxedo has been adjusted to perfection, or perhaps changed to an identical outfit like with my dress. The fabric of his tux flows elegantly, and his black hair cascades like a waterfall to his shoulders. Even with the lights shining brightly in the room, the darkness still envelops him, casting an eerie shadow. He stands there, akin to a dark god, an enigmatic figure defying the luminosity around him. It's fucking shocking that he hasn't burst into flames within this church, but I suppose that would include me as well, given the sins I've just committed.
Diego's gaze holds mine, a magnetic intensity that seems to render me the sole focus in the room as I draw nearer to him. My breath catches in my throat as he takes my hand from my sister. Leaning in to plant a kiss on my cheek, he murmurs, "Smile, Mama. Make this convincing. There are watchful eyes everywhere."
The lethal tone in his voice leaves no room for negotiation. While there may have been a tinge of enjoyment in my recent punishment, I have no desire for another one today.
I force a smile onto my face, a delicate facade masking the turmoil within as I battle back tears. As the ceremony commences, the rhythmic cadence of the spoken words in Spanish surrounds me. I don't understand a single damn word, which mirrors how I feel being forced into this dark world where I never belonged.
"Sí, acepto (Yes, I accept)," Diego suddenly declares with unwavering conviction, his eyes never breaking contact with mine.
Fuck, it's my turn.
I have no idea what he's saying, but when the priest eventually halts his speech and shifts his gaze to me, I muster the strength to voice my part in this surreal production. "I do."
A shadow of a smile passes over Diego's lips, his eyes betraying an eagerness that sharply contrasts with the unease gripping me.
Suddenly, a little girl with dark, flowing hair skips down the aisle, her small hands carefully cradling a cream-colored pillow adorned with two golden, gleaming rings.
Diego places the ring onto my finger, its weight foreign and heavy. I mimic the action, sliding a matching ring onto his finger. It becomes a tangible symbol of a forced alliance, a reminder that Viktor can never have me as long as he possesses all of me.
Diego's fingers slowly lift the veil, revealing my face to him. As he leans in, there's an intensity in his gaze that communicates a possessive hunger. The kiss begins with a deliberate and firm press of his lips against mine, claiming them with an undeniable fervor. His arms encircle me, pulling me closer, as if he wants to erase any distance between us.
The kiss deepens, becoming more demanding, and a subtle growl emanates from his throat. His kiss swiftly morphs into a proclamation, broadcasting to the world, and everyone in this room, who I belong to. The air crackles with tension, and the reality beyond the kiss dissolves, leaving no doubt that in this singular moment, I am undeniably, irrevocably his.
Resisting the urge to pull away, I meet his intensity, unsure whether I'm fighting against the kiss or surrendering to the inevitable. Amidst the whistles and cheers from the crowd, he brushes his tongue tentatively across my bottom lip before withdrawing, leaving me suspended in a haze of conflicting desires.
"Los declaro marido y mujer (I declare you husband and wife)," the priest says with a nod.
With us still facing each other, Camila gracefully approaches, holding a beautifully adorned rope that reflects the vibrant colors and intricate design signifying the cultural significance of the ritual. She drapes it around Diego's shoulders, then crosses it over, bringing it to rest on mine. "With this lasso, we unite you in love and unity, symbolizing the infinite connection that you share," she says, throwing a knowing smile my way. I'm thankful she says it in English just so I can understand it, even though it's bullshit. I will never love him, and the "connection" we share is forced.
The priest concludes with one last line before Diego turns us to face the assembly of strangers. His arm wraps around my waist, holding me close. "Welcome to eternity with me, Wife," he purrs in my ear, his words carrying a sinister promise that sends heat coursing through my entire being.
Wife.
I am now Diego Reyes's fucking wife.