After his mother's death, his father lost all reasons why his son shouldn't be a part of his ruthless and brutal lifestyle, being the founder of the Potenza family "organization" his father didn't spare him, and after five years of training to be deemed fit as a Potenza, Elia Potenza runs from his father's grasp. For a few years, his father has sent men to hunt him and bring him back, they didn't care about any damage caused to Elia, and after 4 years of his father's attempts at getting him back, his father suddenly stops, until five years later... What happens when the reason for his father's change of behavior comes breaking into his home and threatening Elia's friends, leaving him no choice but to marry him...
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Rosario Barone and Elia Potenza in matrimony..." I tune out the officiant's speech, glancing to my right to see all of these strange faces, I know none of them, well except for my father's but he's as much of a stranger as the rest of his guests.
I look back at the man who's soon to be my husband, holding both my hands in his, his eyes dark as a bottomless abyss, his face unreadable.
How did I end up here? I put this kind of life behind me when I left nine years ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn't return to this place, that I wouldn't return to this life, no matter the reason.
I guess I got too comfortable.
I focus my attention back on the officiant who happens to be one of my father's men.
I bite the corner of my mouth, trying to stop myself from smiling at the stupidity of it all, this was a last-minute wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised if the officiant has used Google to figure out what to say, "please repeat after me," I clear my throat to stifle my laugh, my soon to be husband arches his eyebrow, but lets it go to repeat after the officiant, "I, Rosario Barone,"
"I, Rosario Barone" repeated Rosario in his deep voice.
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"Take you Elia Potenza,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part."
Once done, the officiant turns his head to me, "please repeat after me, I, Elia Potenza," the officiant begins.
"I, Elia Potenza,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"Take you, Rosario Barone,"
"To be my husband,"
"To be my husband,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"To have and to hold from this day forward,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For better or for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
"To love and to cherish;"
"To... to love and to cherish;"
"From this day forward until death does us part."
"From this day forward until death does us part." I make sure to look at my father when I said the last part.
"Time to exchange the rings," the officiant says and our best men came closer with their hands extended holding the rings out for us to take.
Rosario puts the ring on my finger first, then it was my turn to do the same thing for him, once we are done exchanging the rings, the officiant says, "By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss".
Rosario leans in and my body goes rigid, he continues to lean in but turns his head and angles it, so he's now blocking the guests' view, he puts his lips right around the corner of my lips and my cheek, and he lingers there for three seconds before pulling away.
It felt a lot longer.
Before I could overthink this kiss the officiant says, "I present to you, Mr. and Mr. Potenza."
Still holding my left hand in his, Rosario turns around to face the guests, and I do too.
The guests stand and upload as Rosario and I step down the Isle, on our way to begin this fucked up life again.
God, I wish I didn't go home that night.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Becky endured three years of marriage to the cold-hearted Rory. In all that time, she naively reasoned that one day, he'd gradually come to like her. But the second he forced her to kneel down and humiliate herself, she knew she had been wrong about him. This man had no feelings for her at all. So why should she still love him? When Rory gave her the choice between kneeling down and divorcing, she didn't miss a beat and chose the latter. After all, why should she waste her youth on this scumbag? Wouldn't it be nicer for her to just have fun every day with her billion-dollar family fortune?
"You're pathetic!" Brenden sneered, each word cutting deep into Corinna's heart. Years of emotional wounds had drained every ounce of love she once held. "I've wasted enough time on you. If there's a next life, I hope we never meet again." Her words severed the bond between them like a blade. From that moment on, Brenden was haunted by her absence—unable to sleep, longing for the warmth he took for granted.
She thought he was the villain. He was only trying to save his soul. Rena lives in a world of sunshine, sweets, and simple dreams. Until one reckless decision drops her into a dark realm of secrets, curses and werewolves. Kidnapped, heartbroken. She doesn't know who to trust anymore especially not Logan, the arrogant, cruel Alpha who's keeping her as a hostage. Until she discovers his dark secret. He's been hearing her thoughts all along. Now the walls between them are crumbling. And when feelings grow where hatred once lived, a curse demands that blood becomes a love that demands sacrifice. But how can she give her heart to the one who might need it to die?