Lucia looked down at the bouquet in her hand. A heavy feeling burst from her chest, but it was already too late to run away as she was already deep into her plans.
The cheers and support from the crowd behind Lucia felt like a series of sharp knives stabbing into her chest.
’This is it. This is what I have desired for a long ti. I’m so close,’ Lucia thought deeply, followed by a loud sigh. She stared at the closed door, ready to be opened when she felt a tingling sensation behind her neck.
"Gastone," Lucia whispered as she looked back, but she didn’t see him. A defeated smile appeared on her lips. "Why did I even think about him?"
Lucia took a deep breath and poised herself.
The door slowly opened, revealing the grand aisle covered in red petals, which led straight to the altar where Daniel stood, tall and proud in his white and gold ceremonial attire.
The crowd inside the church stood, eyes lighting up in awe at the bride’s appearance. Musicians began to play the solemn wedding march, and the scent of roses and myrrh filled the air.
Lucia took her first step.
One after another, Lucia’s feet moved as if pulled by invisible strings, though her heart was screaming to stop. Her fingers tightened around the bouquet, knuckles pale.
"I can do this," Lucia whispered to herself as she tried to hold back the tears that were trying to escape.
The closer Lucia got to Daniel, the more suffocated she felt— like the corset around her waist wasn’t the only thing that constricted her.
Lucia’s eyes wandered around the people inside the church. She didn’t know them, yet they looked at her as if they were close.
"She’s not here," Lucia muttered under her breath as she tried to ignore the uncomfortable stares. After all, she knew no one except Daniel, Base, and the staff who worked for her.
However, Lucia was looking out for soone else— Giselle. She was not in the crowd.
Lucia stared at the front and saw Daniel looking intently at her. He smiled brightly as their eyes t. His gaze was full of longing and victory, like a man who had finally claid what he had fought for.
As Lucia arrived at the altar, Daniel went close and lowered his head.
"You look stunning," Daniel mouthed, and Lucia gave him a small nod, forcing a smile.
But behind that veil, Lucia’s eyes were glassy.
’Don’t cry now. Not here. You wanted this... didn’t you?’ Lucia silently asked herself, but no answer ca. Her thoughts drifted again— to Gastone’s eyes, to his voice calling her na in that maddeningly calm tone, to his arms that once caught her when she was in trouble.
The priest began the ceremony.
Words blurred. Lucia’s mind floated in and out of focus. She heard the formal rites. The part where they would declare their intent ca.
Daniel reached out and held Lucia’s hands gently but firmly.
"Do you, Lucia Varella, take this man to be your lawful husband—"
A loud bang echoed.
Gasps erupted across the pews as the heavy church doors were forced open again.
Everyone turned.
There, standing in the doorway, panting with windblown hair and a coat half undone, was Gastone.
Gastone’s eyes scanned the room— and landed on Lucia. Everything else faded in that mont.
"Lucia!" Gastone shouted, his voice laced with desperation. "Don’t do this!"
Lucia’s heart stopped.
The bouquet dropped.
Daniel’s smile froze.
The priest hesitated.
And Lucia... she stood still, torn between the altar and the man at the door. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, the veil fluttering slightly with her trembling.
Her lips parted. "Gastone...?"
Gasps turned to murmurs. Whispers filled the air like smoke.
Daniel turned toward Gastone slowly, a storm rising behind his expression.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Daniel asked coldly, stepping in front of Lucia as if trying to protect her from Gastone’s gaze.
But Gastone didn’t look at him — only at her.
"I told you, I’ll be here if you need ," Gastone stated boldly. "And I’m here. Don’t marry him, Lucia. Not when your heart doesn’t belong to him."
Silence stretched like a blade.
Lucia gasped. She didn’t expect Gastone would be there for her, to get her away from a mistake.
"My heart," Lucia whispered after hearing Gastone’s words. She grasped her chest and felt how her heartbeat was moving faster and faster.
At that mont, Lucia was conflicted as to what she would choose. She knew that if she left that altar, she would miss a big opportunity that catered to her revenge.
However, Lucia’s heart was telling her to leave with Gastone as she knew, she would be safe with him.
Both choices would tear Lucia apart.
’What should I do?’ Lucia thought while closing her eyes, thinking deeply.
And then—
Lucia took a step back. Away from the altar.
"I can’t do it," Lucia whispered, tears falling now. "I was going to finish what I started... but I can’t."
"Then co with ," Gastone said, extending his hand.
Lucia looked at it, then at the stunned crowd... and finally at Daniel’s furious, wounded face.
"You love , right?" Daniel stated firmly. Rage was evident on his face, though, his eyes couldn’t help but hide the sadness in them.
And Lucia chose.
Without answering Daniel, Lucia ran towards Gastone and was ready to take his hand.
However, Daniel didn’t like to lose.
"Gastone! You traitor!" Daniel scread. At the sa ti, the guards nearby hurriedly ran toward Gastone, ready to arrest him... or rather, kill him.
Before the ard guards could reach Gastone, several vials were thrown at them by Joseph. Upon breaking, the vials created a huge, thick cloud of smoke that engulfed the area.
The crowd inside scread in panic as they ran toward the exit to avoid any accident that might happen to them.
Gastone ran towards Lucia to decrease the distance between them. She slamd her body into him as they hugged each other.
"You ca back for ," Lucia whispered as she buried her face on Gastone’s neck.
"Of course, I’ll always be here," Gastone replied as he hugged Lucia tightly.
At that mont, the two of them nearly forgot what was currently happening in their surrounding.
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