Chapter 22 —Demyon
Three Days Later
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, all dressed up in a white tux and a black bow tie. The morning sun streamed in through the windows, its warm glow draping everything in its path.
My heart beat steadily in my chest, my mind reeling with a million thoughts at once. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, telling myself this was for the best. Any moment now, we’d drive to the church for the ceremony.
Eva’s hatred for me had already tripled by now, and with good reason. She believed this union was just a means to bind her to me forever. To her, I was a monster who cared only about myself, regardless of how my decision affected other people.
Although she wasn’t wrong, that assumption in this case wasn’t entirely true. Eva was too emotional to understand that the second she left the mansion without my protection, she’d be dead in minutes.
Whether she liked it or not, she was already entangled with me, and my enemies believed that I cared for her. They knew she was valuable to me and would do anything to get to her.
This marriage wasn’t to cage her; it was to protect her from those wolves. She might not understand it now, but she would later. I’d rather she hated me and lived than grant her the freedom she craved, only to end up in the nest of my enemies.
The single knock on my door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I glanced at the entrance. It was my lieutenant, resplendent in a black suit.
“Boss,” he called from the door. “The car’s ready for you.”
“Thank you, Ilya,” I replied. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
He nodded once and dematerialized, closing the door behind him.
I drew in a deep breath, fingers adjusting the bow tie around my neck. This was a big and important day in my life. And although I played it cool on the outside, I was somewhat nervous on the inside.
I’d fought wars and come face-to-face with death multiple times, never even flinching. Yet today, I felt a strange emotion swelling inside me that I could only assume was anxiety.
I wiped my sweaty palm over my tailored black pants as I struggled to steady my heartbeat. It began racing immediately after Ilya had left the room, a reminder that a part of me was still human.
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips at the mere thought of seeing her in that white silk lace. My pulse quickened, and a weird sense of satisfaction washed over me. I let out a soft exhale, took one last look at my reflection in the mirror, then headed out.
The mansion had shifted into a grand stage within the past three days. Chandeliers were blazing, and fresh flowers choked the halls, their fragrance filling the entire space. Some of my best foot soldiers were stationed at strategic corners of the house, standing guard like warrior angels.
My security was tighter than before, leaving no space unguarded. Drones were hovering all over the mansion, keeping track of every movement.
The maids and other domestic staff were running around to make sure everything was in place.
Olga’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, giving instructions and yelling at defaulters.
The sweet aroma of several delicacies wafted through the air, teasing my senses as I headed toward the front door.
The house was busier than the streets of Chicago, all in preparation for the big day.
Once outside, I squinted my eyes at the brightness of the sunlight, my polished shoes scuffing against the floor. The backseat door of my favorite SUV was already open and awaiting my arrival. I descended the long steps at the entrance to the building, fingers fastening the button of my tux.
“Where is she?” I asked Ilya as he stood at the driver’s door of my SUV.
He nodded toward the vehicle parked behind mine amongst the convoy of exotic cars. The glass was tinted so I couldn’t see her for myself. However, I had no doubt that she was in there. Where else would she be on a day like this?
I could’ve set my eyes on her earlier, but I refused to do so. I hadn’t seen her since the night I announced our wedding three days ago. The plan was to see her in the church.
The moment I stepped into the backseat of my SUV and shut the door, the car’s engine roared to life.
Ilya strapped his seatbelt and stole a glance at me through the rearview mirror. “Congratulations, Boss.”
“Thank you.” I nodded.
He returned his gaze to the windshield and set the vehicle in motion. The entire convoy rolled out of the courtyard with practiced ease, tires spinning over the serpentine driveway.
***
Subtly, I tapped my feet against the floor as I stood at the altar, waiting for my bride. The small crowd—close friends and family relatives—occupied the pews in silence as soft piano keys played in the background.
I glanced at my watch, wondering what was taking so long, and with each passing second, my anxiety grew. I was certain she’d been in that car. I saw her walk out of the vehicle when we arrived at the church.
Perhaps her bridesmaids weren’t done with her yet. There’s that, and there’s also the possibility that she might’ve gotten cold feet at the last second. Perhaps she panicked and might be considering doing something stupid.
The mere thought of it made my blood boil.
The priest, noticing my unease, leaned in and whispered, “She’s barely five minutes late. Relax.” A small grin played at the corners of his mouth.
Less than two seconds later, the front door opened, and a figure appeared at the entrance, bathed in the sun’s golden glow. All heads turned toward her, brows rising in astonishment and wonder.
She walked down the aisle like a pageant queen, the soft clicking of her heels rhyming with the keys of the piano. The white silk lace hugged her in all the right places, revealing her curves and contours.
Her chestnut-brown hair was styled into a neat bun on top of her head, her movement slow and graceful. She had her gaze pinned on me, her expression soft and delicate. A faint grin was perched on her lips, enough to fool the crowd into thinking it was genuine.
But I knew better—she was just playing the part of a happy bride. It would’ve meant the world to me if that smile was authentic. But it wasn’t.
Crazy how even a plastic grin was able to illuminate her face in a way that melted my heart. Regardless of everything surrounding this wedding, Eva still glowed like a goddess. She was so gorgeous that I found myself lost in her beauty.
The closer she drew to me, the faster my heart raced in my chest. Her presence stirred up murmurs amongst the crowd, and a good number of them had warm smiles on their faces.
Her beauty was captivating, and as she approached the altar, the hem of her dress swept the floor behind her. I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the smile on my lips because I couldn’t let her see the crack in my expression.
When she reached the altar, her eyes avoided mine, her chest heaving with slow breaths. She bit the inside of her cheek, her manicured fingers curling against her dress like claws.
Her face was pale, her hands trembling at her sides as she stood beside me. I could sense her nervousness and unease even though she masked it with a fake smile.
Up close, she was even more gorgeous than I’d expected: perfectly carved eyebrows, light makeup that blended with her skin tone, and lips painted a bold shade of red.
Incredible!
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” the priest began, his voice echoing off the high walls.
The next words that spilled from his mouth faded into the background as soon as they came out. All my attention was focused on my beautiful bride.
When it was time to exchange vows, I watched her lips quiver as she repeated the priest’s words. Every word was forced, yet she spoke them. I didn’t need her willing submission—just her bound to me. For survival. For our unborn baby.
When it was my turn, I recited the words without hesitation, my expression blank, eyes locked with hers. Her hands trembled after I took them and quietly slipped the ring onto the right finger with steady precision.
“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest announced. “You may kiss the bride.”
The crowd erupted into a round of applause.
I pulled her closer to myself, feeling her body stiffen beneath my grip. She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as if fighting back tears that stung her eyes.
Her eyelids gradually closed when I reached out and planted a gentle kiss on those soft lips of hers. Seconds later, she kissed me back, and for a moment there, it felt like she was enjoying it despite herself.
It was done; she bore my name, wore my ring, and carried my child. Eva was officially mine now. My obsession coiled even tighter as I watched her wave and smile at our well-wishers.
The guests saw her as untouchable; I saw her as something more than that. I saw her as mine, in every sense that mattered.
When she glanced at me, something lit up in my chest, a familiar flame I couldn’t extinguish. In her eyes, I caught a glimpse of her hatred and something else I hadn’t yet figured out.
But none of that mattered. Those emotions would fade with time.