Alice's POV
The wedding was over.
But my nightmare wasn't.
I stood frozen as people came forward, congratulating Rafael like he was some king crowned by destiny. In reality, he was crowned by blood. His people—cold-eyed men in black suits—stood all around, their faces expressionless, their presence suffocating. In their hands… guns. Heavy, deadly weapons, held like they were part of their skin.
They looked like they didn't have souls.
Just shadows trained to protect their king.
And now… I was his queen.
Rafael's cold voice dragged me out of my thoughts.
"Go take your father's blessings… for our lovely wedding."
I stiffened. My throat burned.
Father? Does he even know what that word means?
I turned slightly, forcing myself to look at the man who once promised to protect me from monsters. Without realizing… he'd sell me to one.
"Father..." My voice cracked.
He didn't meet my eyes.
I felt tears burn the back of my eyes but swallowed them down.
A father doesn't kill his daughter's dreams. He protects them.
Without another word, I whispered, "Let's go home."
Rafael laughed softly behind me—a cold, hollow sound that crawled over my skin.
"You're in such a hurry to start your new life," he said, voice heavy with amusement.
I didn't reply.
Minutes later, we walked through the grand doors of the church. Outside, rows of black cars and more of Rafael's men waited. Their faces were stone. Their eyes… empty.
The world outside wasn't safer. It was darker.
He opened the door of a long, black luxury car. "Get in."
I obeyed.
Not because I wanted to.
Because I had no choice.
The door shut behind me. The city lights disappeared as we drove away, swallowed by the night.
For a moment, silence ruled.
I pressed my back against the cool leather seat, too afraid to breathe too loudly. My hands twisted the edge of my wedding dress in my lap. My mind screamed a single question:
What now?
I didn't know what was going to happen.
I felt like I was trapped inside a nightmare that refused to end.
Is this real? Did I really marry a mafia king?
I blinked, trying to push away the tears.
My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
In that silence, I couldn't stop myself. My eyes flicked toward him.
Rafael Knight.
He sat beside me like a living shadow. Sharp jawline. Cold expression. His hands resting calmly, confidently, like the world belonged to him.
I looked away quickly, my breath hitching.
I didn't know what scared me more—his silence, or the thought of him speaking.
But he noticed.
He always noticed.
A moment later, his voice cut through the silence like a knife.
"You don't have to steal glances at me, Alice."
I froze.
His head turned toward me. I could feel his cold gaze burning through my skin.
"I'm your husband now," he said quietly, "You can look at me without hesitation."
Then he laughed.
A low, cold laugh that made the air feel heavier.
"Or are you too scared… wife?"
I didn't answer.
I just looked down at my trembling hands.
Because in that moment… I knew.
The real nightmare had only just begun.