Chapter Four

Elena's POV

My father shot up from his seat, his expression darkened like he had just seen his sworn enemy. "Moretti, you dare bring your filth here?"

I never knew my father knew Dante.. Dante smirked, the picture of arrogance. "I dare do many things, Carter."

At my father's signal, his own men stepped forward. The tension hung in the air like a dark cloud. The men face each other, ready to strike at any signal from the both parties. If this continued, there would be bloodshed at my own wedding.

But then, everything stopped.

The massive screen behind the altar flickered to life. A video began to play, and as soon as the images appeared, a collective gasp rippled through the guests.

Marcus and Cathy.

Entwined in eachother's arms, this lips slammed together in an passionate kiss, his hands roaming her body as if I had never existed. As if I had been the villain in the love story.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Marcus's grip on me loosened as he turned to the screen in sheer horror. "What —”

His words died in his throat as the footage continued, showing his betrayal in the most heartbreaking manner, playing out in front of our families, our friends, the media.

My eyes flicker to where Cathy stood earlier in the front row, but the seat was empty. She fled.

She knew I was aware of her affair with Marcus, although I haven't had the chance to confront her since I have been locked away. But then confronting her wasn't necessary. They both didn't deserve my time.

My father's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger as he turned to Marcus. "You assured me this was nothing but a baseless accusation."

Interesting? I thought my sweet father never cared, but instead he had trusted that bastard over his own daughter.

Marcus swallowed hard. “I—I can explain—”

"No," interrupted, my voice steadier than expected. I turned to face father, years of obedience and fear melting away into something stronger. "There's nothing left to explain. You cheated on me with my best friend, and I refuse to go through with this wedding."

My words echoed through the hall, final and irrevocable. Murmurs spread through the crowsd, the guests whispering amongst themselves, scandal dripping from their voices.

Marcus turned to me, desperation flickering in his eyes. "Elena, don't do this. Please forgive me. We've been together for six years. Are you just going to throw all that away?" His apology wasn't sincere, just some arrogant words.

When I confronted him, he never cared nor felt bad about his actions. So he could be sorry now?

I shook my head. "We're done."

"You think this will make you happy?" His voice was low, sharp. His eyes flickered to Dante, a sneer curling on his lips. "Marrying him? Do you even know who he is? What he's capable of?"

"I know enough," I snapped.

"You'll regret this Elena....." His voice was no longer pleading—it was filled with resentment.

I exhaled sharply, my heart pounding as I turned to Dante. He was watching me with an unreadable expression, waiting for my next move.

"I'll marry you."

A satisfied smirk curled on Dante's lips. "Good choice, sweetheart."

My father's furious voice rang through the hall. "Elena, don't you dare."

I turned to face him, but I wasn't the timid daughter who had once cowered under his control. "And if I do?"

His eyes darkened with fury. "If you go through with this, you're no daughter of mine. I will disown you."

His words settled heavily in my chest, but strangely they didn't scarce me as much as I expected. He was willing to throw me away because I refused to be a pawn in his selfish game. Because I choose my path.

But there was something else—something deeper in his voice. His hatred for Dante ran far beyond this moment. I saw it in the way he clenched his fists, the way his eyes burned with something far more than personal. Was there something else between these two that I didn't know?

But I didn't care. Right now, I just want to get back to Marcus for cheating on me.

I lifted my chin and met his glare head-on. "Then so be it."

Without waiting for his response, I stepped toward Dante. He extended his hand, and without hesitation, I took it. His fingers curled around mine, firm and reassuring.

"Let's get married," I said, sealing my fate.

Dante's smirk deepened as he pulled me closer. "With pleasure." Then he turned towards his men. "Throw him out."

Dante's men moved swiftly, dragging Marcus out of the hall, his desperate threats fading into the background.

I caught sight of my father and his men storming out of the hall, before turning towards the officiating minister, his expression filled with surprise.

"We are getting married," I said simply. "Please join us."

The officiating minister, hesistated before nodding. The atmosphere in the hall never remained.

My heart pounded as we said our vows.

"You may now kiss the bride," the minister announced.

Kiss? My stomach twisted. We should skip the part—

Dante leaned forward, his breath hot against mine. Instead of the kiss that I expected, he whispered. "Welcome to hell, Elena."

"Hmmmm," I murmured, but he had already pulled apart.

My stomach twisted as I struggled to grasp the meaning of his words. Welcome to hell? What.... does that even mean? Despite the storm raging inside me, threatening to rip me apart, I forced a smile at the paparazzi.

Some moments passed and for a second, I felt my vision blurry as a wave of dizziness washed down on me. I stumbled back a bit, struggling to keep myself steady but I couldn't.

Dante's POV

Elena's eyes widened for the briefest moment as she took in my words, but she quickly masked her expression, forcing a smile for the paparazzi as flashes of cameras exploded around us. She was stunned, yet she had no choice but to keep up with the charade.

She's beautiful with curves that left me breathless.

She's kind.

She's strong

She's Elena Carter.

My enemy's daughter.

I had spent years watching her from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Then an opportunity presented itself when Marcus and Cathy betrayed her, and I thought to turn it to my advantage.

I had approached her not because of love, but because of revenge. Her father had wronged me in ways she couldn't begin to imagine, and now, she would pay dearly for his sins.

It was a long time promise to myself that I would ruin Carter's world, destroy his legacy and everything he holds dear, and there was no better way to start than with his precious daughter.

Elena was his world, so I thought. He is obsessed with raising her as a perfect and obedient daughter, and today defiling him was the beginning of my revenge.

As we stepped out of the hall, her fingers trembling slightly in me, she suddenly staggered. Her eyes flustered closed, and before I could react she collapsed in my arms.

"Elena!" I caught her before she hit the ground.

A murmur ran through the crowd as I swiftly lifted her into my arms. My men moved to clear the way and within minutes, we were on our way to the hospital.

At the hospital, she was wheeled inside the emergency room when the nurses, and I watched from the transparent glass as the doctor attended to her.

I paced around, my heart pounding. Was it what I said that made her so weak that she fainted? An unknown feeling tugged at my chest, as pain settled inside me.

The doctor emerged after what felt like an eternity, his expression unreadable. "Mr Moretti, I have some news."

For a second, my heart skipped a beat as I wondered what could be wrong with her. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. "What is it, doctor?"

The doctor exhaled. "Your wife is pregnant."

The world stilled.

Pregnant? My grip tightened at my sides as a storm of emotions surged within me. This wasn't part of the plan.

"What?" I screamed, my voice louder than intended.

"She's six weeks pregnant."

Elena was carrying Marcus child.