she opened her eyes in the hospital bed. The thought of it had kept her awake most of the night - tossing, turning, an

- Stefano Bellucci - in the flesh for the very first time. Toda

eady. After a silent breakfast with her mother, the preparations began. An army of

top of her hair. Her makeup was flawless - light enough to show her features, yet polished enough to hide the slight puffiness under her eyes from lack of s

piece, elegant and dramatic. It hugged her shape through the waist before blooming into a wide train that shimmered under the lights. A so

getting ready for the wedding. Her mother was already fully dressed and made up, her navy gown long and sleek, hair

lutely gorgeous. You m

ank

father had already left for the venue. The wedding was to be held in an exclusive cathedr

oyces, Bentleys, and Maybachs. Bodyguards stood at the gates, at the doors, at the corners - watching everythi

st. Before leaving, she tur

er will com

her father appeared. Without a word, he reached out his hand. She hesitated before placing her hand i

rnate double doors. The moment the orchestra inside bega

ir change. The entire space was glowing - filled with golden light pouring from the tall sta

's arm. She wondered if they knew that th

he front. Another man stood beside him. He was dressed in

her moving. She wanted to see his face. She wondered what his reaction would be

rse had decided to answer

t fear. Not recognition. But something. A pull. A sharp, quiet jol

nd was this: the picture

r was perfectly styled, the kind of carelessness that only came from precision. He wasn't poster-boy handsome-not in the polished,

't what sh

sumed they were edited, meant to impress. But now, standing in fro

Cold. Calculating. Stripping her

ing his bride for the first time. It wasn't the gaze of a groom ad

ething warm and fluttering deep inside her. A knot unrave

oat. It wasn't until her father gave her a gentle tug that she blinked back into

gination. But now, standing at the edge of it wit

brushed against hers, an electric shiver rushed through her body. His palm was warm and large. It closed around hers firmly.

our of his eyes. His eyes were a striking shade of hazel, warm and gold