Chapter 03: Her Monster

~Cassandra~

In the dimly lit bridal suite, I stared blankly at the mirror, lost in my thoughts. The wedding dress I wore felt like an artifact, the delicate lace and satin dress adorned with intricate beadings and diamonds clung to my body, fitting perfectly to accentuate my curves.

I can't believe I'm wearing a dress that has been passed down to two generations, it's so absurd and crazy. My mother, however, couldn't be more thrilled. She has been gushing and acting so out of it, her never-ending tales of telling me how perfect I look.

“You look so pretty,” She said to me with tears strolling down her cheeks like a river.

I love-hate Mom's emotional character, it irks me most of the time and this is one of the moments I feel irritated.

“I’ve always been pretty and if you do not stop crying, I would cancel the wedding and be heading home. Not like I wanted to do this anyway,” I threatened, removing the ‘but I had no choice part’. It's not like I could do anything since there is no other alternative.

Mom quickly wiped off her tears, “I’m so sorry, I felt so emotional. It's just that I didn't expect that you would actually agree and seeing a daughter in a wedding dress is every mother's dream. I thought I wouldn't live to see you get married, it's so beautiful and Sebastian seems like a nice guy,” Mom said trying to ease the tension she created, probably afraid I would change my mind.

“I don't care about dreams Mom,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “I’m just trying to get through this day without losing my mind.”

The room fell silent, the air thick with unspoken words. Mom took a deep breath, wiping her tears with a delicate handkerchief.

“Let’s go,” She flashed me a bittersweet smile.

“Your dad is waiting to walk you down the aisle,” She added.

One thing I'm grateful for is that this wedding is not a flashy one, it's a small wedding consisting of my parents, Sebastian's parents and his elder brother, that is if we'd exempt the drivers in the car and the bodyguard in the church.

How I wished Amaya was here, I couldn't tell her my wedding was today because her flight was scheduled yesterday and also she needed the long break.

I'm very sure she'd be upset if she found out I'm married; she'd nag and tell me how she'd spent half her life planning my wedding, but it's better this way. This is a ruse rather than a genuine one.

~~~

Dad's arm was locked with mine as we entered the church. The building had tall spires and brilliant stained glass windows. Sunlight shone through the windows, casting patterns on the wooden pews. The lofty ceilings were decorated with exquisite murals and chandeliers glistened above.

The delight on Dad's face shows how happy he is to send me off, wishing my marriage should be more than a contract marriage. Dad looked quite proud; at least one of his wishes had come to pass, and I could barely hold myself back from letting out a scoff.

He looks incredibly eager to get me out of his clutches.

Perhaps, I've suffocated the old man so much that he needed a minute to breathe.

“I hope you behave yourself when you get to his house. I hope you give this marriage a chance, I would be glad to have grandkids roaming around my house soon,” Dad said as we walked down the aisle.

“Pfft, I hope you know that is not going to happen,” I said, dismissively.

“You are trying to reassure yourself with the ‘I-hope-the-company-get-better-soon-so-i-can-divorce-him’, who knows maybe you'll fall harder. Probably, you would be the one begging him to stay with you, just like your mother and I.”

I scoffed.

Dad thinks my relationship with Sebastian is going to end up just like his and Mom's.

Falling in love is impossible.

“I wish you the very best, princess.” Dad placed a warm kiss on my forehead before stepping back.

Now my attention was on my husband-to-be, his marble gray eyes which he inherited from his mother shone brightly with affection, hope and longing.

It was like he couldn't wait to have me in his abode, and when he said the word, ‘I Do.’ I had the feeling I had landed myself in a deep pit.

That unsettling feeling aroused inside of me, but it was too late to back down. I just need to keep reminding myself that I am the one in charge and he is just a pawn in my game.

“May you kiss the bride,” The priest announced, bringing me out of my reverie.

Sebastian leaned forward to kiss me, but I stopped him with a finger on his lips.

“This is as far as I can go, no kissing. Hand me the paper, I have some business to cater for,” I directed my attention to the court officiant who came to complete the legal aspect of the marriage. I could tell Sebastian was annoyed and when I looked at him, he masked it up with a smug smile.

~Sebastian~

Seeing Cassandra in our heirloom dress made me speechless. I was too stunned and out of breath as I watched her take those graceful steps closer to me.

The outfit which was a present from my great-grandfather to his spouse, my great-grandmother, hugged Cassandra's figure, highlighting her graceful curve. Gleaming into the gentle light, her jet-black hair was arranged in a loose wave that cascaded down her back. I took a deep breath, not even looking away from her, as she walked towards me with a confident aura.

Being caught in her web was inescapable and it was hard for me to untangle myself.

‘She killed Diane.’ my sixth sense reminded me and that was all I needed to hear to get me back on track. I held my hands in a tight fist as I smiled. The way she scrutinizes me with her harsh look makes me wanna pin her on the wall and fvck her here in the church, but I won't do that because I'm in the lord's abode.

I wonder what the look on her face would be when she realizes I'm not the persistent love-struck Sebastian she'd expected to marry, but–

I'm that monster who's going to break her in every possible way all in the name of revenge and she's officially Mine. I can do whatever it is I want.

If someone had told me seven years ago that I would harbor hatred for Cassandra, I would laugh and tell the person to fvck off.

Once upon a time, Cassandra was everything to me. She was someone I would kill for and now she's someone I want to kill. Someone I want to rip her heart off.

I will make sure to drag her down to hell with every fiber of my being.

I'm going to take her deep into it. She'd beg to be freed.

Finally, I'd get the revenge I've always wanted, be rest assured Diane, I won't fall for her charms and fail you.