I was dolled up and dressed in a beautiful wedding gown, the kind I had only dreamed of wearing one day. It fit like a second skin, with a sweetheart neckline that enhanced the curve of my collarbones, shimmering under the soft light of the room. The bodice hugged my chest perfectly, teasing just enough to draw admiration while the lower part cascaded into a voluminous princess gown, adorned with diamonds and delicate lace. The intricate details gave it an ethereal charm, a gown fit for a queen-or at least, a girl who once dreamed of fairytales. Yet, the sparkle in my eyes, the most precious adornment for any bride, was missing.
No amount of makeup could conceal the despair weighing down my soul. The makeup artist, sensing the unease in the room, had left abruptly. "I'll return later to clean up," she mumbled before hurrying out. I didn't blame her-the room felt heavy, suffocating even.
Ryan sat casually in the corner, his posture relaxed but his eyes like a predator watching its prey. His gaze wasn't fixed on me, though. He stared at Alice, who stood near the window, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back sobs, tears streaming silently down her face. The sunlight caught her tears, turning them into sparkling droplets, but they couldn't hide the torment etched into her features.
The door creaked open, and Mom stepped in. Her eyes flickered to Ryan briefly, fear flashing across her face before she masked it with a calm expression. She stepped toward me, her movements deliberate and firm, despite the tension in the air.
"Ryan," Mom said, her voice steady but tinged with subtle authority, "could you give us a moment? We'd like to be alone with Isabella for a while."
Ryan's lips curled into a smirk as he leaned back in his chair. "Five minutes," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Adam's already waiting, and he's not the patient type."
His tone sent a chill down my spine. With one last glance at Alice, he stood and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.
As soon as he was gone, the room seemed to exhale. Mom and Alice rushed to my side, pulling me into a tight embrace. Their tears fell freely now, soaking into the fabric of my gown, but I couldn't bring myself to cry. I stood there, stiff and unresponsive, the weight of their love pressing against the numbness inside me.
Mom pulled back slightly, slipping something small and cold into my hand. I glanced down to see a delicate necklace and a gun. My breath caught in my throat.
"Mom," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"Shh," she said, her voice firm yet filled with love. "Keep it. If things get out of control, you might need it. Stay strong, my dear. Your dad and I... we can't help you or Alice in the way you need. But you can help yourselves. You've always been brave, Bella. If anyone can find a way out, it's you two. We believe in you. Trust yourselves."
Her words broke something inside me, and I felt tears sting the back of my eyes. She pulled Alice and me into a fierce hug, the kind only a mother can give-a mixture of love, warmth, and desperation. The three of us stayed like that, holding onto each other as if time had stopped, sharing a fleeting moment of solace amidst the chaos.
A soft knock interrupted us, and Dad stepped into the room. He hesitated briefly, taking in the scene before him, and then offered me a gentle smile. "It's time," he said quietly. "Adam's getting furious, and we need to head down before he-" He stopped, not wanting to finish the thought.
Mom and Alice stepped back, allowing Dad to approach me. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice heavy with emotion as he took my hands in his. "No matter what happens, you'll always be my little princess."
"Dad..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I leaned into his embrace. His arms felt like a shield, one I didn't want to leave.
"We'll get through this," he promised, though we both knew the weight of those words.
With one last glance at Mom and Alice, I slipped my arm through Dad's, and we began the slow walk down the stairs. My heart pounded in my chest with every step, not from excitement but from dread. The house was eerily quiet, the air thick with tension.
When Dad and I stepped out into the garden, the air was scarier than I could have imagined. Even the music playing in the background couldn't diminish the viciousness of the atmosphere. Adam stood at the end of the aisle, with Ryan and Adam's younger brother, Josh, standing next to him. Adam's stern face looked as if he was ready to kill someone at any moment.
"Breathe, Isabella," Dad whispered, sensing my unease.
I nodded, but my eyes locked onto Adam. When his gaze shifted to me, his expression softened, as though savoring this moment.
Ryan, on the other hand, had his eyes glued to Alice, never wavering for a second. She stood on my side of the aisle, looking cute and absolutely stunning in her rose gold silk dress, which hugged her body perfectly and showcased her curves in a way that could make anyone swoon.
"Are you okay?" Alice mouthed silently, her brows furrowed in concern.
I gave her the faintest nod, but my heart wasn't convinced. Standing beside her was my best friend, Lisa, in a similar dress, though she had opted for an A-line cut. Both of them looked breathtaking, their gazes fixed on me with tears brimming in their eyes-a mixture of awe and a silent plea: "Oh my God, you look stunning, but please, run away and never come back."
"Isabella," Dad whispered again, his voice firmer this time, "Focus."
I dragged my attention back to my groom.
He stared at me as if nothing else in the world mattered-as if I was his only goal in life, his peace. Even though I hated him now, I couldn't imagine marrying anyone else. He had destroyed me for every man in the world.
The opening chords of our song began to play-the one we had danced to for the first time at the club. As everyone stood and turned to look at me, I took in the beautifully decorated venue. It was everything I had dreamed of, a theme I had planned years ago when I first met Adam. Every detail was perfect, exactly as I had imagined it. Adam had spared no expense in making it my dream wedding.
"I wished," I murmured to Dad, my voice breaking, "I wished he could still be the same Adam I knew a year ago."
Dad's grip on my arm tightened, a silent show of support.
Crystal butterfly charms lined the aisle, their delicate sounds chiming in the breeze. Balloons floated above, creating the illusion that I was flying toward him instead of walking.
"You can do this," Dad whispered, his voice steady.
But Adam's presence terrified me.
As we reached the middle of the aisle, I risked another glance at him, and what I saw in his eyes shocked me. His gaze never left me, filled with an intensity that both mesmerized and frightened me. He seemed to relish my unease.
Adam smirked and mouthed, "I love you."
A shiver ran down my spine. "Dad..." I stammered, gripping his arm tighter.
"You've got this, Bella," Dad reassured me, though his voice held a tinge of worry.
Adam's gaze locked onto mine, and I couldn't look away. My knees went weak, and I stumbled slightly.
"Careful!" Dad said, catching me just in time.
I glanced back at Adam, who was clearly amused by the scene. The smirk on his face sent a chill through me. The audience, however, looked terrified. Their silent gazes sent me wishes of luck and prayers for my safety as they remained utterly still.
Finally, Adam stepped down from the altar and came toward us. He extended his hand to take me from Dad.
"Take care of her," Dad said, his voice firm but laced with emotion.
Adam's eyes softened as he replied, "I'll treat her like my queen, sir."
I noticed Mom sniffle a little at this interaction, while Adam's parents showed little to no emotion. They were pleased about me becoming their daughter-in-law but seemed to despise any display of sentiment.
Adam gently led me in front of the officiant, and the ceremony began. Everything after that became a blur.
"You look stunning," Adam whispered, his voice low and hypnotic.
"Don't," I managed to reply softly, my voice trembling.
The only thing I could focus on was Adam's piercing greenish-gray eyes, staring at me with a mix of dominance and obsession, daring me to look away.
Time passed in what felt like a heartbeat.
"Do you, Adam, take Isabella to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the officiant asked.
"I do," Adam said promptly, his voice unwavering.
The officiant turned to me. "Do you, Isabella, take Adam to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
I looked into his eyes again, as if hypnotized, and whispered, "I do."
The officiant, perhaps sensing the tension, smartly skipped the part where he would ask if anyone objected to the marriage. Instead, he moved straight to the words: "You may kiss the bride."
Adam wasted no time pulling me close. He lifted the veil from my face and kissed me with a hunger that made it feel as though his life depended on it.
Behind us, a loud noise erupted as fireworks lit up the sky, throwing vibrant colors into the air like a rainbow.
"You're mine now," Adam whispered against my lips, his voice possessive.
He pulled back slightly, looking straight into my eyes. "Finally mine, Mrs. Isabella Adam Black."
I swallowed hard, unable to reply.
He didn't allow me to retain my full maiden name, keeping only my given name. He wanted me to carry his identity-an assertion of his control.
We faced the crowd as he proceeded to take me home. We walked past the crowd in an eerie silence as he held me close to him by my waist. Once inside, he quickly took me to my room and locked the door. He threw me on the bed and came on top of me, crushing me with his weight.
"You've been driving me insane all day," he murmured, his voice deep and husky as his lips brushed my ear. "You think I didn't notice the way everyone was looking at you? My beautiful princess..."
His lips claimed mine with urgency, a fire in his kiss that made my head spin. His hands roamed greedily over my body, cupping my breasts through the fabric of my dress and sliding down to squeeze my ass.
"This dress," he growled against my lips, tugging at the material. "So beautiful... but so frustrating. It's hiding all of you from me." His voice dropped to a whisper, "But not for long."
"Adam..." I gasped as he bit my lower lip, making my body shiver beneath him.
He smirked, his hand trailing to my waist. "You look so beautiful and sexy today, princess. But tonight, you'll be more than that. By the time we're done, you'll no longer just be Daddy's little girl. You'll be my queen. And when we leave here, you'll be mine in every way-a toy, my sweet little slut. Do you understand me?"
His words sent a shockwave through me, and I couldn't stop the moan that escaped my lips. He chuckled, clearly pleased with my reaction, as he moved lower. His lips found the curve of my neck, planting open-mouthed kisses down to my collarbone. His hands explored every curve of my body as if he were memorizing me.
I squirmed beneath him, gasping when he nipped at my cleavage. "Please," I whispered breathlessly. "Don't ruin the dress. It's the only wedding dress I'll ever have."
He paused, leaning back just enough to meet my gaze with an amused smile. "You think one wedding is enough for us?" He chuckled, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "We'll marry as many times as you want. You can have as many dresses as you'd like. But the bride and groom will never change."
His words made my heart race, but before I could reply, he stood and pulled me up with him. Spinning me around to face the mirror, he stood behind me, his hands sliding over my shoulders. He placed soft kisses along my neck, trailing down to my exposed shoulder, and whispered, "Watch yourself, princess. Watch how stunning you look when you're mine."
His hands found the zipper at the back of my dress, and he slowly tugged it down, kissing every inch of skin that the zipper revealed. The cool air kissed my back, sending shivers down my spine, but his lips quickly replaced the chill. When he reached the bottom of the zipper, he trailed his tongue back up along my spine, making me arch instinctively.
"Let it fall," he commanded softly, his lips brushing my ear.
I hesitated, clutching the fabric to my chest, but when he bit down on my neck, I gasped and let the dress slip from my fingers. It pooled at my feet, leaving me standing in nothing but a white lacy lingerie set with a garter belt. His eyes darkened as he drank me in through the mirror, his arms circling my waist and pulling me tightly against him.
"You're perfection," he muttered, his voice rough with desire. His hands roamed over my bare skin, one sliding up to cup my breast while the other teased the garter belt.
But the air suddenly shifted, growing colder. His hand paused, his fingers brushing against the small gun I had tucked into the garter.
His eyes met mine in the mirror, and for a moment, everything was still. The silence stretched between us as his gaze darkened further, and then, to my horror, he began to laugh. The sound was low and menacing at first, but it quickly grew louder, filling the room with a chilling intensity that made me shiver to my core.
"Do you think this will save you?" he asked darkly, his voice dripping with amusement as he gripped my waist tighter. "You're playing a dangerous game, princess. But I do love a good challenge."
Adam's laughter echoed through the room, dark and menacing, sending icy tendrils of terror through me. His grip on my waist became vice-like, and his hand slid up to my throat, closing just enough to make me gasp for air. He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, his voice low and venomous.
"I was going to be kind tonight," he hissed, the mock tenderness in his tone chilling me to the core. "But it seems my queen likes to test boundaries."
"Adam, please..." I whimpered, tears spilling over as my body trembled under his grip.
His hold tightened, pulling me flush against his chest. "No more 'please,' Isabella. You've made your choice, carrying this," he sneered, his eyes flicking to the gun in my garter. "Did you really think you could outsmart me? That you could fight me?"
"I-it's not..." I stammered, barely able to speak, but he cut me off with a sharp laugh, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin of my neck before sinking in hard, making me cry out in pain.
"By the time tonight is over," he murmured, his voice colder than ever, "you'll forget your own name, but mine? Mine will be carved into your very soul."
I shuddered as he pulled back just enough for me to see his reflection in the mirror. His eyes, once alluring, now looked like pits of endless darkness, filled with a twisted hunger.
"And your parents?" he continued, his voice soft yet dripping with malice. "They'll regret ever thinking they could protect you from me. Tomorrow, I'll make them understand what happens when they meddle with what's mine."
"Adam, no!" I cried, desperation making my voice crack, but he only smirked, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
"And Ryan?" He chuckled, a sinister sound that made my knees buckle. "He'll learn soon enough. I'll ensure Alice suffers, too. Maybe then you'll realize there's no one left to run to."
He released my throat suddenly, letting me collapse against the bed, gasping for air. But before I could move, he grabbed my ankles and dragged me back to the center of the mattress with terrifying ease.
"You don't understand yet, Isabella," he said, crawling toward me like a predator closing in on its prey, his movements slow and deliberate. "You are mine. Every breath you take, every thought in that pretty little head of yours-it all belongs to me now. And I'll make sure you never forget it."
Tears streamed down my face as I tried to crawl back, but he was too fast, too strong. He pinned me down, his face inches from mine, his greenish-gray eyes boring into me with a chilling intensity.
"You'll scream tonight, my love," he whispered, his voice soft yet laced with malice. "And every time you do, you'll remember who you belong to."
I could hear the faint sound of fireworks outside, but inside the room, all I could feel was the crushing weight of his control, the cold void of his gaze, and the suffocating reality that there was no escape.
"Say it," he commanded, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "Say you're mine."
I hesitated, my lips trembling, and his hand tightened around my wrist, sending a jolt of pain up my arm.
"Say. It."
"I'm... yours," I whispered brokenly, the words barely audible.
A dark, victorious smile spread across his face as he leaned down to brush his lips against mine. "Good girl," he murmured. "Now let me show you what that really means."
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