Chapter 2 A Death Song (TESSA)

My breath hitched. Zeal got out of the white car and walked toward me. His gaze was cold, and his aura was dangerous. He grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. I struggled in his grip as he dragged me toward his car.

“Let go of me, you bastard. I don’t want to marry that disgusting old man.”

“You have to. Your father owes us so much.”

“Then just marry my father. I never owed your adoptive father anything.”

“Your father sold you to Anthonio to pay off his debts. If you want to be angry, be angry with your father.”

I clenched my jaw. My anger at my father was beyond words. I regretted being born his daughter. I would rather be an orphan than have a father as cruel as Maxime Stewart.

“You’re just an adopted child, why do you care so much about Anthonio? Let me go, please.”

He stared at me intently. His blue eyes glowed like blue fireballs in his eyes. Zeal pushed me into his car and slammed the door shut in my face. He ordered his men to return to the church, then got into the driver's seat.

"You haven't answered my question."

"I only answer questions that deserve answers."

"My questions deserve answers."

"You'd better save your energy for your first night with my father."

He turned to me, his smirk sending shivers down my spine.

"He hasn't been with anyone in a week. He'll be very excited tonight."

My heart sank. My entire body went cold after hearing that damned man's words. My mind couldn't stop replaying horrible things all the way to the church. The man beside me knew exactly what had made me go completely still, but he didn't bother to take responsibility for the fear he caused. I thought he would have some mercy on me, considering how cruel his adoptive father was and that I hadn't been involved in any of the messes my father caused, but Zeal was just as evil as his adoptive father. All he cared about was money and power. He didn't care if his adoptive father would destroy me tonight.

"Get out."

A man in a suit opened the door. But before I could get out of the car, my father rushed at me, anger all over his face.

"What the hell are you doing? Trying to run away and ruin your wedding, huh?"

I ignored him and stepped out of the car. My father grabbed my wrist tightly and threw me against the car.

"I'm talking to you. Where are your manners, huh?"

“You’re asking about manners? That’s ridiculous,” I snapped at him.

“You don’t deserve my manners since you sold me to Anthonio Ferhaag.”

“Don’t mess with me, Tessa.”

My father tightened his grip on my wrist.

“You’re lucky, Zeal found you and brought you back here. Anthonio would have killed us all for your actions.”

“You sacrificed me to that ruthless mafia, and all you care about is your own life? What kind of father are you!”

I jerked free of his grip on my wrist. My father was furious. His palm flew into the air, ready to slap me. Zeal grabbed my father's wrist quickly, then jerked him back.

"My father wouldn't like it if you ruined his bride. Don't ruin her face with your palm marks."

My father's face turned pale. He was afraid of Zeal. He quickly stepped back and bowed his head deeply.

"Forgive me, I only wanted to teach my rebellious daughter a lesson."

Zeal turned to me, his gaze cold.

"She's learned her lesson. There's no need to punish her."

"Al-alright."

"Now, escort your daughter down the aisle. Don't keep my father waiting any longer."

My father took my wrist and tucked it into his arm. Zeal's presence between us prevented him from being rude to me. His blue eyes watched us intently as we walked toward the church's double doors. His gaze seemed to convey something, but I didn’t bother to interpret it.

The sound of classical music sounded like a death song to me. My legs felt like they weighed a ton. Every step felt incredibly heavy. Complete strangers stared at me sympathetically. They knew what I would become in Anthonio Ferhaag's hands. My stepmother and Clara sat in the front row with Kenzo. The bastard had his arm around Clara's waist, seemingly showing off his affection. I didn't regret my decision to break up with him at all, because I couldn't possibly spend my life with a man as unfaithful as him.

"I'll leave my daughter to you."

Anthonio grinned at me. He looked like an old fox eager to devour a helpless little rabbit.

"You're so beautiful, my bride. Your father made the right decision by giving you to me."

I pushed away his wrinkled hand that was about to touch my cheek.

"Don't touch me."

He chuckled mischievously. All the wrinkles on his face made him even more terrifying.

"You're mine. I'm free to touch you. I'm even free to play with you as I please."

Clara and my stepmother were laughing heartily from the front row. They were genuinely enjoying watching me suffer under the clutches of that cruel mafia boss.

“Father, let's begin the wedding now. I'm sure my bride can't wait to be my real wife.”

I clenched my fists tightly and stood face to face with Anthonio. The priest began the ceremony by reciting a sacred sermon from his ancient book. Anthonio then recited his wedding vows aloud. I silently counted the seconds before my life would be completely ripped from me.

“Ms. Quintessa Stewart, it's your turn to say your wedding vows.”

My grip on my dress tightened. I hoped for a miracle in my final moments of despair.

“I...”

Bang bang!

“Kyaaa...”

My face was splattered with Anthonio's blood, and a second later I saw the old man lying on the floor, in a pool of his own blood. His eyes were wide open, staring at me. All the cruelty I'd seen just minutes before was gone. He was dead.

People were running for their lives. Gunshots rang out throughout the church. Masked men in black rushed in, shooting anyone who moved.

My body froze. I couldn't even move to save myself. Things had become chaotic. I saw Clara and my stepmother hiding under the pews. Kenzo ran out the side door of the church like a loser. My father... I didn't know where he was. I couldn't see him anywhere.

"What are you doing here? Hurry and hide."

Someone grabbed my wrist and dragged me behind the pulpit. It was Zeal. His palm was tightly gripping my arm, his jaw clenched, and his gaze so serious. The front of his tuxedo was covered in blood. I was tempted to ask whose blood it was, but I didn't think it was the right time. It certainly wasn't his, as Zeal didn't look like he was hurt.

"What happened?"

"Our enemies came in and killed Anthonio. I have to take care of them. You stay here."

Zeal pressed my shoulder to hide behind the pulpit. He left me, pulling a pistol from his belt. I could still see the back of his tuxedo fluttering before he disappeared completely from my sight.

Why did he bother saving me when my own family didn't even care about me? My father even disappeared without a trace. Everyone was busy saving themselves except Zeal. I might have been wrong about him all this time. I gave him credit for saving me.