Chapter 2 Undress and lie on the bed

Valerian extended his hand while keeping his gaze fixed on Liliana's face. She didn't wish to marry him, but her stepbrother forcefully placed her hand into Valerian's, sealing her fate. The next second, she was pulled towards the altar, her grip on the bouquet faltering, but Valerian's steady hand prevented it from falling.

The priest began the ceremony, his voice solemn as he started with the vows, instructing them to look at each other. As he spoke, Valerian repeated after him with conviction, each word echoing through the silent hall.

"In the name of God, I, Valerian D'Amato, take you, Liliana Rossi, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

The priest then turned to Liliana, instructing her to repeat the vow after him. Her heart pounded, and her vision blurred with tears. She didn't wish to take a vow with a man who didn't even understand the meaning of them. This wasn't the wedding she had imagined, filled with love and joy. Instead, it was a binding of fate against her will, orchestrated by her stepbrother's ruthless hand.

"Kittie, speak quickly. I don't like to wait," Valerian's husky deep voice landed in her ear as he leaned closer to her. She lifted her gaze and found his face was only an inch away from hers.

"I-In the name of God, I-I, Liliana Rossi, take you, Valerian D'Amato, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

"Here are the rings. Please make it wear each other," the priest stated.

Liliana's heart palpitated against her chest. She hesitated, her hand trembling. Beads of cold sweat formed on the temple of her forehead.

'Why am I marrying him? I cannot. I should run away,' Liliana thought and looked around. The wedding hall was covered with guards, having guns in their hands. She couldn't even attempt to make any wrong move.

"Miss, the auspicious time is running. Please make a haste," the priest humbly said, bringing her out of those thoughts.

Liliana nodded and inserted the ring in his fourth finger. Before she could withdrew her left hand, Valerian held her hand and inserted the ring in her finger. His iron like grip felt like he wanted to break her wrist. Why could she already feel the hatred from him beneath that gaze?

"Congratulations! You are both are husband and wife now. The groom may kiss his bride," the priest announced, followed by the claps echoed in the entire wedding hall.

'Kiss? No. I don't him to kiss me,' Liliana thought in her mind. Her veil was removed in a second and in the other, he cradled her neck.

Valerian didn't imagine Liliana to be this beautiful. For a moment, her eyes trapped him in them.

'I hate her,' a voice echoed in his mind.

He pressed his mouth above hers and she forgot to breathe. In an instant, the entire oxygen was knocked out of her lungs. Her eyes flickered before they shut.

Valerian pulled away, his gaze boring at hers before leaning into her ear. His clean shaven face brushed against her soft cheek and a shiver ran down her spine.

"Welcome to my hell, Liliana Rossi. You aren't a wife to me, but a slave. I will make sure you die every little second," he whispered in her ear.

Her eyes widened, filled with confusion and fear, as Valerian's chilling words echoed in her mind. Before she could fully grasp their meaning, Valerian seized her arm and dragged her out of the wedding hall. He didn't care that her feet hurt in the high heels, or that she struggled to keep up with his long strides.

The bouquet slipped from her grasp, landing forgotten on the floor, and her veil drifted down the aisle, a symbol of the innocence and dreams she was forced to abandon.

Liliana cast a desperate glance at her stepbrother, but he remained indifferent, his expression cold and detached. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she was pulled through the door, finally making an exit from the hall.

Once outside, Valerian roughly shoved her into the backseat of a waiting car. She slumped against the seat like a rag doll, her strength and spirit seemingly drained. Valerian climbed in beside her with his dominating allure.

The car began to move, and the journey that followed was filled with an oppressive silence. Liliana's fear grew with each passing moment.

She stared out the window, tears streaming down her face, her mind racing with uncertainty and dread about what Valerian might do to her. The cityscape blurred past her tear-filled eyes.

'Why is this happening to me? I never wished ill upon anyone. All I wanted was some money from my stepbrother and a little peace. Why did he do this to me?' Liliana's thoughts spiraled in her mind, each question piercing her heart.

Her despair only deepened as the car slowed to a stop in front of a grand villa. The night had fully descended, casting an eerie shadow over the opulent structure.

Valerian stepped out of the car first. The grand entrance of the villa was illuminated, and standing there to greet him were the butler and the chief housemaid, Freya, with a line of servants beside them. They bowed respectfully to their master.

"Freya, send her to my room. I want no delays," Valerian ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. Without waiting for a response, he walked inside the villa, followed closely by two men who seemed to be his personal guards.

Liliana found the door opened from her side and she stepped out.

"Please this way, Mrs. Liliana," said Freya and led her way inside.

Liliana was taken to a room, where she changed into a night dress. She had no idea what was happening and when she asked about it, no one even responded to her.

Freya, then, took Liliana upstairs and said, "This is your bedroom. Please go inside." She pushed open the door and gestured to Liliana to go in.

With her shaky legs, Liliana entered the bedroom and found out it was all dark. She continued to walk until her feet stop in the middle of the room.

"Undress and lie on the bed!" Valerian's intimidating tone reached her ears.