The ceremony finally started. Zara could see that her daughter was shaken by whatever Matteo had done to her even though she didn't know exactly what it was.
Rosalie's gown was a long sleeve so it was easier to hide the bruise she'd received from him. It wasn't like they were going to do anything about it in the first place, but it reminded Rosalie that there was a huge chance she was going to end up with a man worse than William.
Either way, she was going to complete her vows with a heavy heart and leave for Verdale a few days later.
She also had a trick right up her sleeves that she would use to repay him for the way he'd treated her.
Rosalie was standing at the end of the aisle, everyone's attention was drawn towards her, even Matteo's. He was staring at her with some kind of unexplainable expression. He was stiff, his hands in his front like a sculpted statue.
A smirk pulled up on her lips when she remembered what she'd planned for him.
Rosalie's hand was taken by someone. It was her father, Nolan.
"I'm glad that you changed your mind and decided to marry him," he whispered for only her ears.
"If you want me to feel glad, then you could at least tell me what suddenly happened that forced you to join forces with the Valtieris'."
Before Nolan got the chance to explain, the music had started and he started to lead her down the aisle. Her almost-to-be mother-in-law was shedding some tears and Rosalie had to wonder if the woman was aware that everything was just an act. She and Matteo weren't actually in love and the marriage was just to force alliance.
'Or she might be a good actress,' Rosalie thought to herself.
"There's a traitor that'd stolen from the Valtieris and somehow stole from us as well. His profile was investigated and it turned out he comes from a big gang."
Rosalie's stomach twisted. She hated this side of her father's world—the underground dealings, the secrets, the violence. It had always been a shadow in their lives, something unspoken but present. She had never wanted to be part of it. And now here she was, walking toward a man she despised to seal an alliance with criminals. Dressed in white, no less.
"The enemy can't be dealt with alone, so we're partnering only once. Don't worry, once the issue is resolved, you'll immediately get a divorce from Matteo and everything will go back to normal." Nolan spoke as if there was a way Rosalie would forget ever remarrying just like that.
Either way, she was glad she would be divorcing Matteo as soon as the issue was resolved. And now she wondered why Matteo hadn't mentioned the divorce from the beginning. The fact that everything had been planned behind her back without asking for her opinion left her feeling bitter for a moment.
Rosalie could feel someone glaring daggers at her. She didn't need to look to know it was Sienna who was standing close to Callum and Gael. Gael had barely exchanged words with her in the past month, and she couldn't bring herself to care since Gael barely had a mind of his own.
They were never close from childhood, because, in an odd way, he believed Rosalie always outshone Sienna. Sienna had manipulated him since it was difficult to do the same to Callum.
Beside them were Matteo's siblings. Rosalie had not once spent time with them while Matteo was away. She didn't feel like she needed to, and they did not make an attempt to approach her, except their parents.
When Nolan finally reached Matteo, he gently placed her hand on Matteo's palm like she was some delicate thing. Rosalie resisted the urge to roll her eyeballs.
"It will be over before you know it," he said before he turned to leave.
The couple shared a look, not a single emotion evident on their face. Instead, there was this instinct to eliminate the other from the face of the earth.
When it was finally time to say the vows, Rosalie's voice was sweet and convincing. She was glad she didn't sound too fake since she was already a good actress, meanwhile, Matteo didn't care if he sounded affectionate or not. It didn't matter since only family members were at the wedding and were aware of their state.
The rings were exchanged and the time Rosalie had been waiting for so long finally came.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest announced. "You may now kiss the bride."
Matteo lifted the veil without wasting any second and crashed his lips roughly on hers, his hands snaking around her waist as he held her close.
His tongue slipped into her mouth, tasting her and Rosalie made sure just to kiss him as roughly as he did.
The audience clapped, throwing flower petals at them.
Then all of a sudden, Matteo stiffened.
He parted from her, eyes staring at her with so much hurt before they turned into rage. Before he could say anything, he collapsed, his back hitting the ground with a thud.
All the cheers were silent as they watched Matteo on the ground, red spots appearing on his face as he tried to breathe.
Once they were out of shock, his father and the guards tried to take him away.
"What did you do to my son?" Bethany, his mother, questioned, tears already welling in her eyes.
Rosalie sighed, taking a few strands of her hair and tucking it behind her ears. "I don't know," she replied but it was obvious she was lying.
"What did you do to my son?" Bethany demanded this time, an edge to her tone, her completely soft demeanor disappearing.
Rosalie shrugged. "I ate a few pieces of banana before kissing him. But it seems Matteo is allergic, isn't he?" She asked innocently.