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Chapter Three

Bella Jaun

I stared down at my white wedding gown. I had deliberately asked for something simple but yet I still felt suffocated even at that.

The wedding was hosted in a church, an older vision and it also made me wonder why it was here of all places I could be.

I stood at the altar, my hand gripping my bouquet tightly as sweat started to form on my face.

Dylan was late.

This only made the members murmur all around, saying things I couldn't even grasp. I turned over to my father with a hopeless look but he only checked his watch before averting his eyes to somewhere else.

But then, the sudden thud on the door, made everyone turn their face towards it as Dylan entered like he owned the world.

He was confident, unbothered and didn't seem to care. He didn't even have an apologetic expression. He was just there, in one of the most expensive, sophisticated suits.

I watched him walk closer as anger propelled over me but then he caught my disgusting glare the moment he reached my side, and instead of apologizing, he just gave a mockery smirk.

“Miss me?” He murmured, and it was low enough for me to hear.

“You're late,”I muttered with gritted teeth, trying to compose myself.

He raised a brow at me. “Better late than never, Cara Mia.” He said with a cold bow.

I gripped the bouquet tightly, the urge to throw it at his face almost gushing through me.

The priest started, his voice echoing through the congregation, but I wasn't in. My mind was on Matthew. My new life, what happens after this.

The thought of Matthew threatening a mafia like Dylan was all in my mind and I was scared. Scared of what might come.

How many years did he call it? 7years?

I was 27, serving a man like him for 7 years? One, two, three, four, five, six , seven. Seven years? I would be 34 by then with no child?

As he said his vows and I said mine, that was it. We are together now. And I no longer had my freedom.

Not the man I have always dreamed of getting married to.

After the ceremony , everywhere was buzzing with wealth, power and authority as the guests sat down at the reception, glasses of champagne everywhere.

I had no one to talk to. Not even my brother, because he was a busy bee at the moment.

When it was time to leave, I approached my father with a smile that didn't reach my face. “I'm going home now.”

But before my father could make a response, Dylan came to view, his hand suddenly resting possessively on my back waist and causing me to stiff in shock. His big hands were cold, too cold.

“No, Jaun. You're coming with me.”

I raised my head up at him, my brows narrowing into a frown. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” He said, his voice calm but still cold and firm. “You're moving into my estate tonight.”

What the heck was he even saying? I was married to him already and it isn't even a real thing, so why must I live with him?

My jaw tightened as I bit my lips, holding my anger. “I think I will decide where I go. It is fake afterall.”

“No,” He declined, his Gray eyes locking onto mine with authority. “That decision was made the moment you said, ‘I do’. You're my wife now, and your place is with me.” He said, finalising it.

I was bubbling in my soul, but I refused to give him the satisfaction he wanted. I lifted my chin, my voice was more icy than I expected.

“You can't just uproot my life on a swift, Dylan.”

It's not a swift, Cara,” he said, his smirk returning on the corner of his lips. “It's reality. The sooner you accept it, the easier this will be for both of us.” He winked at me and I was even more disgusted.

“I am not your cara, or whatever you call it. Easier for you, you mean,” I shot back in annoyance.

Our eyes locked at each other, but I wasn't even ready to back down. Finally, he leaned closer, his voice low, cold and dangerous. “Get in the car, Jaun. Now. I won't repeat myself.”

In anger, I fumed, walking towards the waiting vehicle with my heels clicking annoyingly.

“It won't be for too long.”

~~~~

I thought my father's estate was a cage and a prison but now, DiMaggio estate felt more like a prison, with Dylan's men stationed at every corner.

I sat on the plush sofa in my new bedroom, well it was decorated in my color but it was nothing to me.

Seeing the call and the name that flashed on my scream, I couldn't help but put a smile on my face, my phone pressed on my ear as my best friend's familiar voice filled the air.

“Bethel!” I exclaimed, my hand covering my mouth as my mood brightened. “I can't believe you're back! How were the states?”

I heard her laugh softly from the end of the call. “Busy, chaotic, and expensive. But I missed you too much to stay away.” She said and I placed my hand on my forehead happily.

“God, I need you right now,” I said, my voice now breaking into an emotional one. “You wouldn't believe the day I've had.”

“Try me,” She replied and I chuckled

Her voice cut through the phone before I could say a word. “Why don't we talk about it over drinks? I know we wouldn't be able to say anything secretive at that dangerous man villa. There's this new bar downtown I've been dying to check out since I was in the states.” she beamed.

“You know what? Let's do it. I will meet you at twenty.” I gushed, ending the call and standing up to my feet.

She's back!

Dressed in a black dress that hugged my curves with a pair of killer heels, I felt a smile appearing on my lips as I descended the staircase.

But as I reached the end, a shadow hovered over me as I gasped out in fear, missing my steps.

It was Dylan, resting over the door frame. “Going somewhere?” He asked, his voice sounding amused.

I didn't bother hiding my annoyance anymore, it was useless after all. “I don't need to report my every move to you, Dylan.” I was reminded and I watched his lip twitch into a smirk.

“Actually, you do. You're my wife now.”

That statement alone was everything to annoy me. “I'm going to a bar with my friend. Not that it's any of your business.”

But then, his smirk flattered, his expression turning cold, dark, whatever name to call a cold-hearted mafia. “If you're leaving, it's with my permission. And you will be back by midnight.”

I raised my brows, surprise written all over my face. “You don’t get to dictate my curfew.”

“Midnight,” He repeated firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

“You’re unbelievable,” I snapped. “Do you enjoy controlling every aspect of my life, or is it just part of your charm?”

He stepped closer, his gaze steady. “I don’t care what you think, Jaun. But until you understand the rules, I’ll make sure you follow them.”

I clenched my fist with gritted teeth. I wanted to argue, to scream at him, but I knew it would only give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten under my skin.

“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “But don’t expect me to just roll over and accept this forever.”

He arched a brow at me, his smirk returning. “We’ll see.”

With that, he stepped aside, allowing me to leave. I stormed past him, my head held high, even as anger stormed inside me.

I would go to the bar, enjoy my night, and prove to Dylan that I wouldn’t be so easily controlled.