Chapter 3 Marry A Corpse (TESSA)

The gunfight lasted what seemed like an eternity. Even though I was used to living in the mafia world because of my father's work, hearing that barrage of gunfire still terrified me. I covered my ears with my hands, hoping the bloody incident would end soon.

When the shooting ended, there was silence. I peeked out to see what was happening. Numerous bodies lay strewn across the church floor. The place had become a horrific sea of ​​human blood. My stepmother and Clara clung to each other under a pew, crying in terror. Two bodies of strange men lay a few meters away from them. Their blood even stained their expensive heels.

The corner of my eye caught the wide-open side door of the church. I saw an opportunity to escape. While everyone was busy worrying about their own lives, they wouldn't notice the bride running away. Besides, I wasn't needed there anymore. Anthonio was dead. I was free. I would get as far away from my toxic family as possible and build a better life without them.

On the count of three, I ran toward the door. My heavy tutu made my steps a little difficult, plus I had to pass several corpses along the way. Freedom was within sight. I was almost to the door when suddenly someone tugged on my braid. My body jerked backward. My back hit his hard chest.

"Are you trying to run away again, huh?"

"Let go of me. Zeal, I'm no longer needed here. Anthonio is dead."

He brought his lips close to my ear. His hot breath sent shivers down my spine.

"Who says you're no longer needed, huh? The wedding will go on."

“What? I’m going to marry a corpse, you mean?”

Zeal dragged me back to the altar. Several men were already standing there, looking disheveled. Their expensive suits were stained with blood. Each of them held a gun in their hands. Only after I got closer did I realize they were standing around Anthonio’s corpse. It had been placed on the offering table, not lying on the dirty floor.

“This is a huge insult to our organization. How dare Rowan kill my brother in the middle of his wedding?”

“Relax, Kris. We will have our revenge. Look at the bodies lying around today. Most of them were Rowan’s men.”

“Still, I won’t let that bastard walk free after killing my brother.”

I didn't know the man's name. But if he was Anthonio's younger brother, that meant he was Zeal's adoptive uncle. He was probably ten years younger than Anthonio. He looked younger, fresher, and more muscular. It was clear that he was very strict about his body.

"What are you going to do to his widow, huh?"

"I'm not his widow," I snapped. "We're not even married yet."

"Your father gave you to us as payment for a debt. You belong to our organization even though Anthonio hasn't married you yet."

"What? I'm a fucking human. I'm not a possession."

My fists clenched tightly. If Zeal hadn't grabbed my arm, I would have lunged forward and clawed at the damn man's face.

"How dare you—"

"Shut up! Kris is right, your father has given you to us, and you can't return to your family."

"I won't return to my family. But I don't belong to you either."

“You belong to us.”

We stared at each other fiercely. Those blue eyes blazed with anger. And I wasn't the least bit afraid of him. No one would fight for my life but me. So I wouldn't let those arrogant men ruin it.

“What are you going to do with this bitch, Zeal? Make her one of our club’s waitresses, or throw her into a brothel?”

“I’ll marry her in my father’s place.”

“What?”

Kris and I exclaimed almost simultaneously. I thought I was the only one who deserved to be shocked and angry, because Zeal’s decision directly affected my future.

“Are you crazy?” I exclaimed angrily.

“Why do you want to marry this nagging bitch? I’d rather throw her into a brothel, so she can profit us with her services.”

“No, I’ll marry her.”

“You're going to marry the woman who's supposed to be your stepmother?”

“Is that a problem, Kris?”

Zeal's gaze was sharp, and it radiated a dangerous aura. The five men standing around us silently watched the disgusting family drama.

"Unless you're also attracted to her and want to possess her."

Kris laughed drily, as if Zeal's words were the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

"There's no way I'd be interested in her. I already have a wife. Fiona is much better than this nagging bitch."

"Then shut up, old man. Just take care of your wife."

"Bitch, how dare you—"

"Enough, Kris. I'm going to marry... What's your name?"

I remained silent, not the slightest bit interested in answering his question.

“So you’d rather I throw you in a brothel, huh? You want to be taken in turns by all sorts of men with their own weird fetishes?”

I gulped nervously at the thought of the terrifying men Zeal had mentioned. None of my options were good. But compared to being fucked by random men in a brothel, I'd rather marry Zeal. He was young, fresh, and had a rock-hard muscular body beneath his expensive suit.

"Quintessa Stewart."

I wished I hadn't been born Stewart. Just saying that name made me want to vomit.

"Okay, Quintessa, I'll—"

"You can call me Tessa."

He growled in annoyance at my interruption.

"Fine, Tessa, you're marrying me right now."

Kris suddenly interrupted with a scornful laugh.

"Come on, Zeal. Don't you dislike women? Why marry a woman if you can't fuck her?"

"That's my business, Kris. You don't need to interfere in my sex life."

I was just about to digest Kris's words, but Zeal suddenly dragged me toward the altar. He walked so fast that I nearly tripped over the train of my dress.

"Slow down."

“We don’t have much time. I have to clean up this mess immediately. Father! Let’s start the wedding now.”