Bargain Bride: The Billionaire's Forced Wife

IN A SMALL AND OLD TREEHOUSE, Chiara slowly cut her medium-rare steak while smiling at the handsome man sipping his wine in front of her. As she put the small part of her food to her mouth to savor it, the man's eyes landed on her before giving her a playful wink.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours, babe? You've been staring at me for a while now," the man asked his girlfriend while smirking.

Chiara put her palm on her jaw as she smiled at him. "I just can't believe that it's been four years since I said yes to you," she let out a breathe of happiness and relief.

"That was the happiest day of my life, babe," the man said as he reached for Chiara's hand and softly caresses it with his thumb.

"There will be more years ahead of us. I promised that I will marry you, right?" he added.

Chiara nodded with determination. "Yeah, I won't forget that. I've always wanted to marry you."

The man suddenly stood up, walked around the table, and knelt beside Chiara. This made the woman turn her body to her side.

"Babe, what are you doing?" she asked. "Stand up. The floor will ruin your clothes."

But the man didn't waiver. He just smiled at her before touching her right hand.

"Simone?" Chiara cold her boyfriend when he put her hand on his chest.

Simone looked up at her before smiling. "I know that I have my own lapses. I'm not yet successful and rich enough to support you. There are a lot of richer and prettier men compare to me, but you chose me. Thank you, babe."

Chiara's eyes started to swell. "Silly! Of course, I will choose you. I love you!"

"And I love you too, babe. I love you so much," he kissed her hand softly. "You're the best woman in my eyes. You're intelligence makes you so sexy. The way you carried yourself cannot be compare to others. Your smile brightens up my lonely days. You laugh sounds melodic in my ears. Everything about you is so perfect. You're perfect."

It is not the first time Chiara heard those compliments from Simone, but she can't help but shed a tear everytime this happens. Her heart's starting to warm her whole body, as if those words from her boyfriend is enough to make her function.

"I'm not perfect, babe, but I'm trying. I want to be the best version of myself... for you," she responded while drying the tears flowing down her face.

Simone stood up and used his thumb to help her. His huge hands covered both sides of Chiara's face.

"I promise to be with you for the rest of our lives. I promise to fight against whatever hinders our way. I vow to cherish, protect, and love you every day. I commit to give you the happiness you deserve and to be a responsible partner. I will be there in your ups, and comfort you in your downs," his face moved closer to hers before whispering his heart out. "I love you."

"I love you too. I love you more," Chiara responded.

Their lips met as they hugged each other's bodies. For them, this intimate act is enough to express how they love each other.

They've been friends since childhood. It was Chiara who fell first, and she fell hard.

Staring at her boyfriend, Chiara cannot imagine how she will live if her man is not on her side. Whenever she's afraid, Simone is right there to comfort and protect her. He's her knight-in-shining-armor. Her savior.

"I want us to marry as soon as possible, but I don't want to pull you into the next level if I still don't have the means to give you a comfortable life," Simone spoke, breaking the silence.

Chiara looked up at him. "My family's well off. I can support for the both of us. We can survive for a couple of years with my money. I'm sure that after that time, you're already successful."

Simone shook his head, earning a pout from his girlfriend. "I want to prove myself, not just to you, but also to you parents."

"I want to be the man they could be proud of. A man who will not depend on their daughter's fortune," he answered. "Just a few more years and it'll come true. Besides, we're still young."

Chiara smiled. Her man is always a responsible and independent one.

Even though she really wanted them to get married now, she respected her partner's decision. She understood that it is difficult to build success from scratch.

Simone's starting his business, and is striving really hard to put in on top. Of course, she's supportive and willing to extend help by promoting his business to her parents' business partners.

"Promise me one thing," Chiara spoke.

"Sure, what is it, babe?"

She took a deep breath before speaking. "Marry me before I turned 27."

Simone's eyebrows furrowed for a short span of time before smiling. "Why 27? That's a very specific number babe."

She buried her face on his chest. "My mom was 27 when she married dad. I want the same for me."

Simone chuckled and hugged her tighter. "I promise that I will marry you before you turn 27. I will be successful at that time. I have three years more."

The rest of their night was spent with them talking about their past and future. The two love birds are already starting to build their life in their minds - a life where the two of them will live happily ever after.

But the destiny has a different plan.

"Mom? Dad? What's happening?" Chiara asked with confusion when she entered their house.

"Why are you kneeling?" she added. "Mom! Dad!"

Chiara looked around their living room. Unfamiliar faces greeted her. Men wearing black suits, maybe over ten, are scattered around the area.

She turned her eyes back to her parents who are still kneeling. Their eyes are filled with fear. Her mom's fingers are trembling while his dad is gritting his teeth.

When Chiara turned her head to the direction where her parents are looking at, she saw an unknown mam sitting on their only one-man sofa: the place where only his father could sit.

In their home, sitting in that sofa signifies that the one sitting holds the most power. It is unquestionable for her father to sit on that sofa since he is the head of the house.

But looking at the unknown man claiming her father's spot made Chiara's blood boil.

"Who are you?! You're not suppose to be sitting there!" she pointed at the man while glaring at him. "Only my father can have that spot! Go away!"

Instead of leaving, the man leaned his body forward and steepled his fingers. His eyes landed on Chiara.

The first thing that caught Chiara's attention is his eyes. They were mismatched. Blue on the left and green on the right.

"Ezio Moris Vitali."

The man's voice brought shivers to Chiara's body. His voice is as cold as his eyes. His face has no emotion while looking at her, but his eyes has something beneath them that Chiara couldn't interpret.

"I don't give a damn on your name," she spat out the words as an insult.

"I'm sure I didn't misheard it when you asked me who I am," Ezio answered before leaning back and resting his arms on the side.

Chiara didn't listen to what he said. "What are you doing here? Why are my parents kneeling?! I will call the police!"

Ezio chuckled as if her words sounded like jokes on him.

"Go on," he challenged her. "You're actually doing me a favor."

Chiara became more confused because of his words. "What?"

He grinned. "You can call the police, but not for me," his eyes went back to her parents. "But for your lovely parents."

Her eyes widened. "Huh?" she looked at her parents, looking for answers. She kneeled beside them. "Mom, dad, what's happening?"

But her parents remain silent. Chiara couldn't understand what's happening and her parents won't answer. She's starting to get impatient.

"Looks like your parents want to keep you in the dark," Ezio spoke.

"Mom! Dad! Tell me what's happening! I wouldn't be able to help you if you won't talk!" Chiara exploded in front of her parents.

Suddenly, her father screamed at her. "Because you can't do anything about this!"

Her body shook. It was the first time her father shouted at her. No one shouted at her like that before.

Chiara's eyes started to swell when she felt her mother's hand caressing her back.

"Dear, your father didn't meant to shout at you. He's just stressed," her mom whispered.

Her dad hang her head low. "I'm sorry, mia figlia, but you can't really do anything in this situation."

"Perhaps, she can."

Ezio stood up and looked down on the three, his shadow towering all of them.

Chiara knew that she was supposed to be scared at him. His eyes were like daggers that cut a wound open on their bodies.

But she felt otherwise. She noticed that his eyes were warm whenever they land on her.

"Chiara," the man spoke her name in a cold yet soft way. "You see, your parents has a lot of debt on me."

She shook her head. "That's impossible! We're rich! We don't need to borrow money to anyone, even from you!"

Ezio smirked at her braveness before looking at her father.. "But that's not what it seems to me. Five years ago, your father asked me to lend him five million euros," he started telling a story. "If I remember it correctly, it's for his daughter's tuition."

He turned again to Chiara who was starting to connect the dots. "You studied in Stanford, right? The money you paid for your tuition came from me."

"You're lying! The money came from my parents business! Don't make me a fool!" she shouted.

"But you're already a fool from the start. Right when you believe that your parents' business is still functioning," he answered, making Chiara look at her parents.

"That's not true, right? Mom? Dad? He's lying, right?" Chiara asked her parents, hoping to get a positive answer.

"Tell her," Ezio spoke.

But after some seconds, her parents didn't answer. That and the look in their eyes is already enough for her to understand that it was true.

Looking back at her college life, Chiara never lacked of anything. She didn't have to worry about money because she thought that their family's still well-off.

She could ask her parents to buy something for her and they wouldn't even hesitate for a second. They gave her all of the luxuries that she wanted.

Chiara started to blame herself on her mind.

"How much is it? Just five million euros, right?" she asked Ezio.

He shook his head. "Thirty."

Chiara's jaw dropped. The net worth of their family didn't even reached twenty-five million, and now, they a debt more than that.

Ezio looked at his watch before sighing. "I still have some important business to attend. Since you can't pay for it, I have to sue the both of you," he grinned before walking away. "Prison's waiting for you."

Chiara's body turned cold when she heard that. The thought of her parents living in prison is too much for her mind.

They're already old. She's sure that they won't be able to survive that kind of place.

Hurriedly, Chiara slide her knees and cling onto Ezio's legs. She hold in tight, not letting him go.

"Please! Spare my parents! Have mercy!" she pleaded. "I will do everything! Just don't sue them!"

Ezio was stunned on what she did. Seeing her kneeling and crying underneath him gives a stab on his heart. He can't watch such scene.

"Please! I beg you! Don't put them in prison! Take me instead!"

Chiara's parents run to their child. "No! Don't do that, mia figlia!"

Her father looked up at Ezio. "You can take me now! I'll take any punishment! Just leave my daughter alone!"

The parents beg for Ezio to just punish them, but Chiara is pleading so hard for him not to punish her parents. It was an uncomfortable sight for him.

"Don't beg," Ezio told Chiara, but she didn't waiver. She kept on begging and begging for him not to punish her parents.

Her face is now wet because of tears, and her eyes are puffy. Her voice is also starting to get hoarse, but she didn't care. Not even a bit.

"Stand up," Ezio spoke. "Stand up, Chiara. Stand up and stop begging."

Chiara hurriedly stood up. She was about to speak when Ezio cut that off.

"Since you can't pay for the debt, I thought of another way on how you can pay me back," he said.

Chiara's eyes glistened with hope. "What is it? I will do anything!"

"Marry me."

The whole room felt silent. Chiara's parents became stiff. They know what kind of man Ezio is. In the business world, he is ruthless. He will destroy anyone to pieces when they caused a little disturbance to him. Outside business, Ezio is a manipulative man who's known in blackmailing people to get what he wants.

Just like what he's doing now.

"What?" Chiara stuttered. "I can't marry you, I have a boyfriend. And I don't want to marry someone I don't love."

Chiara put a dagger on Ezio's heart without knowing, but his face didn't even changed a bit.

"Then leave him, as simple as that," he answered, hiding the jealousy he's feeling.

"What you're asking is not simple. I won't do that! I love my boyfriend and I won't marry anyone except him!"

Ezio didn't surrender. He will have her, one way or another.

"Your parents' debt is not simple, either. That's the only way I want," he answered.

Chiara shook her head before saying a firm "no".

"Choose. Either you marry me, or you're parents will be on prison," he said while his mismatched green and blue eyes darted through her soul.

Chiara realized that she doesn't have any choice. She loved Simone, but she loves her parents more. Besides, it's her fault that her parents went on debt. If she just didn't became luxurious in her life, they wouldn't enter this kind of situation.

In her mind, she's already apologizing to her boyfriend. She promised him, yet she broke it.

With a shaky breathe, Chiara answered. "I'll do what you want," her eyes met his and both were engaged in a staring battle. "Just leave my parents alone."

Hearing the response he wanted, Ezio sighed. "I'll contact you tomorrow. I'll make sure to have the perfect wedding for you, cara."

AS EXPECTED, Ezio indeed contacted Chiara the next day. The whole Bianchi family is in chaos while waiting for the man to arrive in their house.

It's too ironic. Just yesterday, they were in their knees and begging for him to spare them. But now, they're getting ready to welcome him for lunch.

"Mi figlia, you don't have to do this. Just let us receive the punishment. We deserve it anyway," Celine, Chiara's mother spoke while wiping their dining table.

Fabio, the father, released a heavy sigh. "You don't know what you're doing, mi figlia. I'll talk to Signor Ezio later about this."

"No," Chiara firmly said while shaking her head. "Mom, Dad. I can't let you go in prison. Besides, we only got in dent because of me."

"Don't say that!" Celine startled at what her daughter said. "We chose to borrow from him not because you asked for things, but because we want to provide for you!"

"But if I haven't asked for anything, then you wouldn't have to give anything!" Chiara exclaimed as she put down the plates and utensils, creating a clinging sound.

"I already made up my mind. This is much better than putting you two in jail. Atleast, I can still see you and we can still go on with our lives," she spoke softly and reached for her parents' hands. "If he sued you, it will tarnish the reputation that you worked hard for. I don't want that. I want us to stay the same."

"You're sacrificing a joyful future ahead," Fabio spoke. "You won't be happy with your marriage."

"But I won't be happy when you're in prison either. I prefer it this way," their daughter responded.

"How about Simone?" Celine asked. "Did you already told him about this? I'm sure that he would disagree.

Chiara shook her head and took a peak on her phone resting above the living room table. "I have no plan of telling him about our situation. I will break up with him as soon as possible. I'm just gathering some courage."

Chiara couldn't help but cried after saying those words. In her whole life, she never imagined that she will end their relationship.

She's head over heels for Simone. She even told herself before that she wouldn't marry anyone if the man is not him. But here she is, currently thinking of ways on how to tell her boyfriend - soon to be ex-boyfriend - about their break up.

Chiara's deep thoughts were interrupted when their doorbell rang. Her mother hurriedly went outside to open the gate. On the other hand, Chiara composed herself.

Cold wind entered their home when Ezio took a step inside. His eyes first landed on Chiara who forcibly smile a little at him.

The lunch was uneventful. Everyone was quiet and waiting for Ezio to say something.

"This is quite a delectable meal," Ezio commented while gently tapping the napkin on the side of his lips. "Who's your cook?"

Fabio hesitantly motioned his hand towards his daughter. "My daughter cooked the meals, signor."

Stunned, Ezio looked at Chiara. "You cooked all of this?"

Chiara nodded before looking down. "I used to attend cooking lessons before. My best friend also taught me."

Ezio's eyes glistened. The thought of her cooking such delicious meal for him is enough to complete his day.

Trying to hide his joy, Ezio cleared his throat and opened the topic that the family has been itching to talk about.

"Regarding the wedding, I created a marriage contract for our convenience," he spoke and motioned one of his man to give the folder to Chiara.

Fabio asked with confusion. "What for, signor? I think there's no need for that."

Ezio slowly tapped his fingers on the table. "You know me, Mr. Bianchi. I love making written agreements, and this marriage is one of those agreements that needs it."

Fabio couldn't do anything but to hang his head low. There's no reason to have a debate against this man, for he knew that he will lose in the end.

On the other hand, Chiara and Celine were busy reading the contract.

"This is such a short contract," Chiara commented while holding the one-pager agreement, not minding her ringing phone.

"About the fourth section," she said. "Does it that you're the only one who can end the marriage?"

Her parents read the part that Chiara was pertaining to. And indeed, the section said that "this marriage contract will only be terminated, if and only if, Ezio Moris Vitali signed and sealed an annulment or divorce letter with the bride."

Ezio nodded his head. "Since I'm the one who created this marriage idea, I supposed that I'm the only one who can end it. Besides, I'm the one who will be in control on what will happen in this marriage."

Chiara couldn't help but to grit his teeth. Her plan to divorce him after having enough money to pay him won't work.

It looks like Ezio doesn't have a plan to let her go.

"I will cover everything about the wedding. Nevermind the expenses," Ezio looked at Chiara. "Just tell me what your dream wedding is."

Chiara was supposed to be jumping up and down with joy, but she can't make herself happy knowing that she will enter a loveless marriage.

"I will send the details," she answered. "I'm not in a hurry. You can prepare for it for as long as you like."

"I want the wedding to be held as soon as possible," he firmly said. "Within this month, preferably."

Their eyes widened. "Isn't it too fast, signor? You can-"

"Nothing is too fast for me," he stood up and fixed his necktie. "I will choose the date and you have to conform with it."

"Wait-" Chiara's words were cut short when her phone started ringing again.

She cannot count how many times her phone rang today. The caller is always the same - Simone.

Although she really wanted to answer his calls, she has to stop herself. There is a problem on her plate that needs to be solved immediately.

Ezio's eyes landed on the ringing phone. "That person keeps on calling. I'm starting to get annoyed," he looked at Chiara once again. "Answer it."

Chiara doesn't need to be told twice. She picked up her phone and answered it. "Hi," she stuttered.

Simone, on the other line, was shocked on how he was greeted by his girlfriend but didn't give much attention about it. "Babe, I've been calling you since morning. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

She gathered all of her breathe before answering. "I... I want to talk about something. Can we meet later? Maybe at 3 PM?"

"Of course, babe. Do you have a place in mind?"

Chiara nodded even if Simone cannot see her. "Yes," her voice cracked. "In our treehouse."

"Sure, babe. I'll wait for you there. Gotta hung up now. I love you!" Simone said with energy, trying to lift up the mood.

Chiara closed her eyes and whispered, "I love you too."

Although her voice is too low for someone to hear, that phrase didn't escaped Ezio's ears. His jaw clenched while staring darkly at Chiara's phone, stopping to urge to destroy it.

It didn't take long for Ezio to leave the Bianchi's house. After that, Chiara hurriedly went to her room to take a rest, and cry her heart's out.

She cannot cry infront of Simone later. She must not cry.

***

Simone was all smiles when he saw his girlfriend entered their tree house. On the contrary, Chiara looked like someone she loves died.

She's a wearing an all black outfit, very different from the Chiara who likes to wear lively colors. Her puffy eyes are hidden underneath the make up. Her face is void of any emotion.

"Babe," Simone greeted and hugged her, but she didn't hugged her back.

Concerned, Simone looked at Chiara's face. "Are you okay, babe? Tell me. Is there something bothering you?"

Chiara gathered every courage that she had and looked straight into Simone's eye. "Let's break up."

Silence covered the whole place. After a while, Simone chuckled.

"Babe, that's not a good joke," he said while trying to make his girlfriend smile. "Come on. What is it?"

"I'm serious. Let's break up," Chiara repeated, each word giving a sharp pain on her chest.

Of course, Simone wouldn't believe what she said. They've been together for four years. He knew Chiara since childhood. Their love for each other is buried deep in their soul.

Aside from that, they had just celebrated their anniversary yesterday. They were so in love yesterday. She was so in love with him yesterday. They even shared an intimate kiss before they went home.

"That's not true, right? You're joking, babe. You can't break up with me," Simone said and tried to touch Chiara's hand, but she pulled away, making Simone's heart sank.

For Simone, that action signifies that there is really something wrong on his girlfriend. He's starting to overthink the situation.

Has she fall out of love?

Did she found someone else?

Did she realize that he is not good enough for her?

Chiara, without Simone knowing, is shattering her own heart into bits. Her insides are breaking. She's hurting, but it is invisible to the eye.

However, she already made up her mind. She won't drag Simone into the problem she has. It needs to be resolved by her or her family.

Simone is too good to be drag in a mess that he has no responsibility. Simone's peaceful life must not be tarnished.

She preferred it this way.

"I'm going to be married soon," Chiara started talking, trying not to stutter or crack.

Simone's face fell. "No. No. No," he shook his head. "That can't be true. No."

"It is true," she answered. "It will be held before the end of the month. You can come if you want."

Simone's fingers ran through his hair. He hisses, trying yo understand the seemingly impossible situation.

"Who is he?" he asked. He touched Chiara's arms and shook her a little bit. "How can you throw away our four-year relationship for nothing?!"

Tears started to fall in his face. "We're just planning our future yesterday, and now, you already have a new man?! How is that possible?!"

Chiara's face remained void of any emotion. "We've been seeing each other for months. You're just too dumb to notice."

Simone's world fell apart. Heating the love of his life admit that she cheated on him is too much for his heart to carry. Slowly, his knees lost their strength and he fell down on the floor, kneeling.

Seeing his boyfriend kneeling on the floor and crying, Chiara felt like she couldn't take it anymore. Staying for more seconds will be torture.

She took a deep breath. "He's richer. He's much successful. He owns a huge company with several branches worldwide. He has lots of connection. He can give me the luxurious life that I want."

Chiara gave a fake smile even though Simone can't see her face. "I just loved you because I thought you'll be rich by now, but turns out I'm wrong. And I can't wait any longer."

She didn't wait for his reply. She walked out of their tree house - the place where their childhood and memories of love started.

When she was already meters far from the place, she ran. She ran without looking ahead. She can't even see the road she's taking. All that she wants is to leave that place as soon as possible. She wants to leave the place that reminds her of Simone.

A sound of a screeching car can be heard infront of Chiara. It made her stop running.

She can't seen who's car is it for her eyes are full of blurry tears, but the voice of the man is enough to know who it is.

"Get inside," Ezio told her.

Chiara didn't listen. She shook her head and ran away from him.

But even though she ran faster than she could, it still has no chance against Ezio. He easily caught her, carried her in a bridal style and put her in the passenger seat of his car.

"Hush, cara. Stop crying. He doesn't deserve your tears," Ezio spoke while putting her seatbelt.

As if she didn't heat him, Chiara's crying became louder. "I hate you."

Ezio's eyes and heart twitched at those words. "I know, but you will marry me. Wether you like it or not."

"I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU, HUSBAND AND WIFE."

The whole cathedral was filled with claps from different people. Some are even whistling, while others are in poker face.

On the first row, Chiara's parents are seen with fake smile while doing claps that don't even make a sound.

With the priest signal, Ezio lift up the veil that's covering the face of his beloved.

"Finally," Ezio thought to himself. He felt successful, even though his ways to get Chiara is unethical. But as a man who believes that the end justifies the means, he doesn't care.

What's important is that they're already married.

When the veil was removed, Ezio cupped Chiara's face and leaned forward to give a kids on her lips - a kiss that he has been waiting for a long time.

However, just a millisecond before his lips landed on hers, Chiara moved her head to the side, making him kissed her cheeks instead. And it didn't escaped the priest's eyes.

"You may own me on papers, but I'm not yours," Chiara firmly said in a way that only the two of them can hear.

Ezio tried to hide his disappointment. In his mind, he will be able to do romantic things he wanted to her once they get married, but what's happening is the otherwise.

But Ezio is not the type of man who will surrender. He has a lifetime to love her and make her reciprocate that love.

He won't stop until he got her heart.

***

The newlyweds greeted everyone inside their reception. And every visitor that will glance on their direction cannot help but to notice the distance between the husband and wife.

"Just look at them. I pity that woman," one of the visitors released a heavy sigh. "That man must have forced her to marry him."

A woman opened her fan and gently swish it to herself. "I heard that the bride's parents have debt on Signor Ezio."

"Really? Poor thing. She must have sacrificed her future for her parents.

"Indeed," a man holding a red wine entered the women's conversation. "I can't imagine what kind of hell their marriage will be."

"She better hold on tight and ready herself. Living with a ruthless and manipulative man like Signor Ezio is one kind of torture, after all."

The murmurs of the guests didn't escaped Chiara's ears. Because of those words, she is now starting to regret her decision.

She doesn't even know what kind of mam he is. She have only known him for a few weeks, and her impression on him isn't good at all.

Chiara couldn't help but to look stealthily at her groom, wondering if he could hear what the guests are whispering. They are just a few centimeters away from each other, yet it looks like Ezio couldn't hear what she can hear.

As if Ezio can read her mind, he spoke. "Their words are useless. Don't listen to them."

Chiara couldn't help but to click her tongue. "The more I listen to them, the more I regret agreeing into this marriage. I should have married my boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend, cara. He's now an ex," he said firmly.

From her peripheral vision, she saw him moved closer. She can feel the heat that his body is radiating.

"Any more word about that man and you wouldn't like what I will do to him," Ezio threatened her.

Chiara's breathing became harsh. Her grip on the skirt of her dress tightened. "He has nothing to do with this. Leave him alone."

"He has something to do on why you're acting like this. Forget about him."

She shook her head slightly. "You can't control me," she looked up to meet his mismatched eyes. "I won't let you control me."

If Chiara only knew, Ezio has no plan to control her in the first place. But looking at their situation where Chiara still thinks of another man, he couldn't help but to do it.

"Let's see about that," he responded. "Remember that you are the payment for your parents' debts. One mistake and your family will fall."

Chiara gave a plastic smile. "So you're really good at this, huh?" she let out an insulting chuckle.

"People are right when they told me that you love using people's weakness to make them do your bidding."

Ezio didn't even blink before he answered. "I do love it when people do what I want, not when I manipulate them."

"Sounds the same to me," she break off their eye contact and looked around the reception area. "When are you going to let me go?"

"We just got married, yet you're already thinking of separation?" he asked while the waiter poured wine on his glass.

"I just can't wait to be free from you."

Ezio drank from his glass before speaking. "I have no plans of letting you go."

He looked at Chiara who is now hiding her radiating anger. "I will never file for a divorce, whatever tricks you may do. You will stay as my wife for as long as I'm alive."

"Then I should kill you, then. I should've read something on getting away from murder to be ready," Chiara responded.

"Be my guest," he opened his arms wide and grinned at her. "I'd like to see you try."

Chiara was about to speak to the whispers of the crowd became louder. Every person in the area started to look at one direction - the entrance.

She couldn't help but to take a peek on something that seem controversial for the visitors - something that is more controversial than their wedding.

When the ocean of people gave way, Chiara saw an woman - maybe in her 50's - walking full of elegance in the red carpet. She's wearing a red infinity dress, which is way out of the theme. The woman walked like she owned the whole place.

Chiara was so stunned that she didn't even noticed that the woman stopped in front of her.

"You must be the unlucky bride," the woman said while looking st her from head to toe.

Before the bride could answer, Ezio's voice was heard. "What are you doing here?"

The hatred in Ezio's voice didn't escaped his wife's ears. Chiara looked at his direction and there she can see how his jaw and fists clenched.

"Could I not attend the wedding of my own son?" the woman answered.

Chiara gasped for a little bit, but started to get confused afterwards. If she understood it correctly, this woman must be Ezio's mom. But why does it look like they have grudges on each other?

"The door is open. You may leave now," Ezio spoke and grabbed Chiara's wrist to pull her away from his mother.

"Your wedding looks plain and boring," the woman started insulting the event while walking around the place.

She touched one of the decorations. "Really? White and blue? Such dull colors. No wonder why everyone here, including your wife, is not enjoying the event."

Ezio's ears rang when he heard that. The fact that his mother insulted the color theme of their wedding made his blood boil.

It was Chiara who chose that, after all. From the theme, decorations, and even the foods, it was Chiara who gave the suggestion.

Insulting the wedding is like insulting Chiara herself.

Ezio was ready to defend his wife, but Chiara interrupted his supposed words.

"If you can't say something nice, maybe it will be better for you to leave," Chiara said while looking blankly at the woman.

Elisa, Ezio's mother, raised her eyebrows at the bride. "You really have guts to talk to me life that? You must've forget that you are only his wife."

"Yes, I am," Chiara answered. "But you are only his mother. You don't have the right to barge in our wedding and ruin it."

"Besides, I don't remember having your name on the guests list," she added and made her voice louder. "Guards! Take this woman out!"

Ezio, who watched such scene for the first time, is in cloud nine. Even though Chiara was only defending herself and her choices, Ezio can't stop himself from thinking that she was doing it for him.

"Hah!" Elisa spat out. "So, you're favoring this man?" she pointed out to Ezio.

"I'm telling you that this man is a bad luck. Every person close to him suffered because of him! Because they can't tolerate him!"

She laughed maniacally while looking at her son. "You are just a trying-hard person. Your business is useless. There are already a lot of mall chains in Italy yet you chose that business. You're like an idiot trying to fit in with the educated."

The guards started going to their direction, but Elisa wouldn't waiver.

"I'm telling you that you're life will be a living hell with him! He's a pain in ass! That man is a monster!"

But Elisa's words fell on deaf ears. When the guards reached her, she stopped talking.

"I know the way out. No need to escort me," she said before looking at Chiara for the last time that day.

"Marrying him is the biggest mistake of your life. You'll realized it soon."