Chapter 3 Celebration and Circus

Anya didn't have much time to process what had happened, because at that moment her cell phone started ringing, it was her grandfather.

"Anya, dear, I have excellent news. Alexei Petrov has agreed to marry you! The wedding will be in a month." Vladimir's voice sounded cheerful.

Anya slumped down on the couch, feeling stunned. At what point had she accepted this absurd proposal? And with a man she didn't even know.

"Grandpa, are you sure about this? I haven't decided yet."

"I know it's sudden, but it's the best for everyone, Alexei is a good man, Anya, I know he'll take good care of you, and our families will unite becoming a great empire." Vladimir softened his tone.

Anya closed her eyes, feeling defeated, she knew she had no choice, her grandfather wouldn't leave her alone, Vladimir had already decided.

"Okay grandpa, let your will be done." She whispered, on the verge of tears.

The wedding day arrived, Anya looked at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the image of the bride dressed in white that looked back at her.

"You look beautiful, darling, like a real princess." Her aunt whispered, with tears in her eyes, her parents had not been able, or rather had not wanted to cancel their trip to be with her.

Anya forced herself to force a smile, but inside she felt empty, that should have been the happiest day of her life, but instead, she felt as if she were sealing her fate.

"It's time, the groom is already waiting in the church.." Her grandfather announced, entering the room.

With a lump in her throat, Anya took her grandfather's arm and let herself be guided towards the luxurious limousine that would take her to the cathedral.

When she arrived, she felt overwhelmed, there were hundreds of guests, huge flower arrangements decorated, even a live orchestra, everything was luxury, but for Anya, all of that was like golden chains that tied her to an unwanted destiny.

When the doors of the church opened and the wedding march began to be heard, Anya raised her chin and began to walk towards the altar, her hands trembling as she held the bouquet.

And then she saw him, tall, handsome and elegant in his black tuxedo, Alexei Petrov waiting for her with an indecipherable expression, his green eyes stared into hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.

It was then that Anya recognized him, those eyes, that mouth, it was him, the man from that night of unbridled passion, her mysterious lover.

Alexei had also recognized her, his gaze hardened at the moment, feeling surprised.

When Anya reached his side, Alexei took her hand tightly, almost hurting her.

"You, I should have known, you planned everything perfectly" He hissed through clenched teeth, Anya paled at his tone.

"I didn't know who you were." He whispered.

"Of course, but I do know who you are, the spoiled little girl who plays with men and then throws them away, well, now you're stuck with me, and I swear you'll pay for what you did to me." Alexei let out a discreet bitter laugh.

Anya shuddered at his threat. What mess had she gotten herself into? But she didn't have time to respond, because the priest began the ceremony.

As they recited their vows, Anya felt Alexei's gaze piercing through her, when it was time to kiss her, he grabbed her by the nape of the neck and slammed his lips against hers in a hard kiss, marking her as his property in front of everyone.

The guests applauded, oblivious to the silent war that had just broken out, but Anya and Alexei knew the truth of what was happening between them, this was not a marriage, it was a sentence, a curse, Alexei was determined to make Anya's life a living hell.

As they left the church, Anya saw Misha among the guests, glaring at her, Katya smiling triumphantly at his side.

Anya swallowed, a shiver ran down her spine, she felt like she had entered a nest of vipers, and that she was now tied to the most dangerous of all.

The hall of the Petrov mansion was decorated in opulence, the elegantly dressed guests sipping champagne and exchanging gossip about the newlywed couple and their hasty marriage.

Anya and Alexei opened the dance with the traditional waltz, but what should have been a magical moment was not, Alexei held Anya tightly against his body, his fingers digging into her waist.

"Smile, moya zhena, let everyone see how happy we are," he hissed through clenched teeth very close to her ear.

Anya forced a smile, although inside she wanted to scream, the farce of her marriage was suffocating her. As they twirled around the dance floor, snippets of conversations from the guests reached her ears.

"Isn't she the same girl who was going to marry Misha Sokolov?" an older woman asked.

"Yes, but apparently she changed her boyfriend as well as her dress." another answered maliciously while laughing.

"And to think that she swore to love him madly, how quickly that passed."

"Well, with a match like Alexei Petrov, I would even send my love to hell."

The cruel laughter stuck in Anya like needles, hurting her, she wanted to defend herself, to shout that she was not like that, that circumstances had forced her, but who would believe her?

Alexei also listened to the comments, his jaw tensing with each word. What kind of woman had he married? One who changed her love like the change of season? Or a gold digger who went after his money and position?

Anger and distrust poisoned his thoughts, he tightened his grip on Anya, making her gasp in pain.

"You're hurting me." She whispered.

"You better get used to it, this is just the beginning." He growled.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the room, the guests murmured in scandal.

Misha, clearly intoxicated, pushed his way onto the dance floor, falling to his knees before Anya, crying.

"Anya, my love, forgive me, I was stupid, but I love you, I've always loved you, don't leave me, don't marry him." He stammered, clinging to her dress.

Anya stood frozen in shock, her heart racing.

"Misha, please don't do this, there's nothing between us anymore." She pleaded, trying to break free.

"No! I won't give up, I'll fight for you, against him, against the whole world if I have to, you're mine, Anya. Mine!" Misha clung to her tighter, as he let out a heart-wrenching sob.

Alexei, who had watched the scene trying to stay calm, decided he'd had enough.

He leaned down and grabbed Misha by the lapels of his suit, lifting him off the ground like a rag doll.

"Listen to me, you piece of scum, Anya is my wife now, she's mine, and I don't share what's mine, so you better disappear from our lives, or I swear I'll sink you so deep that not even the worms will find your corpse. Have I made myself clear?" He hissed, bringing his face inches from Misha's

Misha, eyes wide with terror, nodded frantically, he was drunk, but he was no fool.

Alexei let him go with contempt, letting him fall to the ground, then took Anya by the arm and dragged her off the dance floor, away from prying eyes, taking her to a secluded spot, once alone, he cornered her against the wall, pressing her body against his in a possessive and threatening gesture at the same time.

"You and I have a lot to talk about, moya zhena, starting with your long list of loves and your questionable loyalty." He growled, Anya felt his breath against her neck.

Anya shivered, Alexei's closeness, despite his cruel words, awakened a dangerous desire in her.

"There is nothing to talk about, my past is my business, as for loyalty, you are the last person to demand it, lyubov moya." He replied, raising his chin in a defiant gesture.

Alexei's eyes darkened, and for a moment Anya thought he was going to kiss her, to devour her whole until there was nothing left.

But instead, he jerked away, as if Anya's touch burned him.

"You're right, I have no right to demand your loyalty, but rest assured, I will earn your obedience, one way or another." He said with a dangerous smile.

And with that threat, Alexei turned and walked away, leaving Anya trembling against the wall, her heart racing and her skin burning where he had touched her.

The party continued around them, guests speculating about the bride and groom's future, but Anya barely noticed them, her mind and body consumed by Alexei, by his intensity, and by his undeniable attraction, and although a part of her feared the hell that awaited her, another part, the secret one, couldn't wait to burn in his flames.