Rewriting The Rules: The Untypical Marriage

KIRA’S POV.

The morning sun spilled its light through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall, The air was thick with the scent of roses and lilies, and the soft hum of a string quartet filled the space with a romantic melody.

I stood at the back of the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't tell if it was due to my nervousness or the overwhelming excitement of finally being able to get married to Dylan. My hands trembled slightly as the large double doors slowly opened. Today, I would marry Dylan, the man I had loved even before I knew what love was.

My father stood in front of me, his hands akimbo, waiting for me to take his arm. I couldn't help the shiver that ran through my body as our skin made contact.

“Stop shaking like a fool and smile,” he instructed, his tone sounding more like a warning than encouragement.

The veil over my eyes blurred my sight, but the sound of the orchestra playing was enough to make me giddy and momentarily forget my father’s intimidating presence.

As we reached the altar, my father released my hand. I stepped forward and bowed my head slightly.

“We are gathered here today for the union of this couple,” the priest began. “If anyone has a reason to object to this marriage, let them speak now.”

There was total silence after that, and I concluded no one objected to our union, not that anyone could.

My father was the Don of the American mafia while Dylan's father was the Don of the Italian Mafia, our wedding was not an ordinary union, it was a blood pact, meant to pay back a debt that my family owed to Dylan's family more than a hundred years ago an—

“Do you Adrian Vasillos take Kira Neel as your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest's voice broke me out of my thoughts.

“I do,” he responded. His voice sounded different but before I could think anything of it, the priest spoke again.

“Do you Kira Neel take Adrian Vasillos as your lawfully wedded husband?”

Wait….

I slowly replayed the priest’s words in my mind.

He had said Adrian Vasillos.

Adrain Vasillos, not Dylan Vasilios?

Adrian Vasillos? As in Adrian… Dylan's elder brother?

My heart raced as I yanked the veil from my face, my eyes wide. "Adrian?!" I whispered as I looked up in confusion to see the person standing before me, it wasn’t my fiancé Dylan, but his elder brother Adrian, dressed in an orange prison uniform instead of a wedding suit.

“W… What’s going on here?” I stammered, looking at Adrian, his eyes already fixated on me. “Why are you standing here? Where is Dylan?”

The priest shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "Is there a problem, my child?" he asked and I shot him a narrowed look before returning my gaze to Adrian.

“Tell me where Dylan is?!” I said, my voice louder than before.

“He is right behind you.” Adrain scoffed. I turned around to see Dylan standing next to an unfamiliar man. He wore the best man suit that was totally different from what I had specially picked for him for our wedding.

“Dylan!” I rushed over, grabbing his face in my hands. “W… What’s going on? Why are you here? Why aren’t you standing with me at the altar?”

He removed my hand from his face.“Please don't make this difficult, Kira. Just go say ‘I do,’” he muttered, his gaze avoiding mine.

“I don’t understand what’s going on. What do you mean I should just go and say I do? He’s your elder brother. I’m supposed to marry you. We’ve been engaged since we were twelve. Why are you pushing me to him?” My voice cracked as I felt warm tears stream down my cheeks.

“I can’t marry you, Kira,” he said, his voice laced with anger and something else I couldn’t place.

“Why? You love me, don’t you? It’s me and you remember,” I pleaded, my heart shattering with each word.

“Please go back to him, Kira,” he said, turning his back to me.

“Dylan, look at me. Are they forcing you to do this? Are you being threatened? Please tell me. Don’t do this to me. You’re the only one I’ve got. Don’t let them win, please. I love you, Dylan,” I whispered the last part, desperation choking my voice. “Come on, let’s go.” I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him with me, but he yanked his hand away, and I stumbled back.

Suddenly, a strong hand gripped my shoulder, and I looked up to see my father, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at me. “Enough, Kira,” he growled. “Stop your tantrums this minute!” I felt my body shake at his voice.

“W… What's going on, father?” I cried “You'll not be getting married to Dylan. Wipe your eyes and go stand at that altar.”

“What about the deal you made with the Vasilios?” I asked. “What about the blood pact an “Don't ask me any question, just do what I say.” He growled, cutting me short.

“Why do you hate me this much? You would even stoop this low to see me break? Why are you so heartless?!” I screamed.

His eyes widened at my sudden outburst. He raised his hands, ready to hit me. I stiffened my body, getting ready for the impact. I waited for any sign of pain or sting but it never came.

I opened my eyes to see a huge figure in front of me, his hand grasping my father's hand.

“Don't you dare lay your hands on her?” I heard Adrian say. I looked up at him to see him staring daggers at my dad. The sight of him in his prison jumpsuit did nothing to wipe away my anger. They didn't even bother to get him a suit.

My father yanked his hand away, turning to face me. For the first time, I saw a hint of fear in his eyes.

Suddenly, I saw my stepmother and step-sister coming towards us. My stepmother began to say something but all I could hear was my sister calling Dylan. She held his hands and smiled genuinely at him before facing me. I saw the way she rubbed her thumb on his hands and the way he looked at her, not once halting her actions.

“Dylan” I called him once again, hoping the scene before me wasn't real.

“I'm sorry, Kira, but I can't marry you.”

“Wh… Why?” I looked at him, expecting him to say he was being blackmailed, or this was a figment of my imagination and I needed to pinch myself to step out of the horrible dream.

But hearing my sister say, “We're in love and I'm carrying his child.” was the last thing I expected.

My leg almost gave out but I held my ground not willing to believe her but when I looked at Dylan, I knew every word she had spilled from her mouth was nothing but the truth.

I looked around, hoping for someone to say this wasn't right or that this was injustice but I was all alone. Not even the look of sympathy from my aunt was able to comfort me this time.

I felt the adrenaline rush in my veins as I picked up my dress and ran. I heard Sophia, my stepmother, call my name but I continued to let my leg fly across the tiled floor of the church wanting to be far away from them.

I grabbed the door handles, ready to bolt out of the church. I opened the door but stepped back when I saw two large men blocking my path, their guns pointed at me.

“If you try to leave, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger,” one of them warned, his voice cold and steady.

“I’ll take my chances. Death seems more promising,” I shot back, my voice trembling.

“Kira,” a familiar voice called my name softly. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see my Aunt, tears streaming down her face, and a gun pressed against her head.

“You move an inch, and a bullet goes through her skull,” my father hissed, his voice booming across the church.

KIRA’S POV.

Four weeks earlier…

"Are you ready?" Aunt Linda asked and my eyes widened with excitement. It seemed like she had found a way out.

"Yes," I replied, dragging the sun dress down my thighs.

"Okay, you're set to go. Just remember to come back on time," she instructed. I nod, too excited to reply.

The corridors were empty, allowing me to walk out without being seen. To an outsider, it might seem like a mischievous teenager trying to sneak out of the house with Aunt Linda as my accomplice.

But my life was far more complicated than that.

My name is Kira Neel. I am the first daughter of the Neel Family.

My family held immense power in the country and my father was the Don of the American mafia.

Being the eldest daughter of this family, one might expect that I would be a pampered princess living a life of luxury and privilege.

However, my reality had always been more similar to that of an abandoned princess.

My mother's death during my birth was the breaking point of my father's wrath. He blamed me for her death and resented me for it. And sometimes I think he remarried to spite me.

His new wife, my stepmother, was already pregnant when they got married—her previous husband was an underboss who had died saving my father.

Just like any typical stepmother, she hated me to the bones and that hatred intensified after she gave birth to her daughters. The three of them and my father became my greatest nightmare. My stepsisters never missed a chance to ridicule me.

Growing up in a mafia family is challenging for anyone, but the difficulties I’ve had to face were multiplied due to my family. However, In two weeks I would leave behind this terrible reality and start a new life with Dylan, the love of my life.

"We're out," Aunt Linda said, drawing me out of my daze. She took my hand, squeezing it before reminding me to pick up the flowers on the way. I smiled, thanking her.

The bus ride took less than ten minutes, and in no time I was standing in front of the flower shop.

"Are you Miss Neel?" A voice called as I entered the shop. I turned to see a young man in a blue apron.

"Yes. I'm here to pick up the flowers." I replied. He handed me the flowers after telling me to follow him. Immediately, the smell of the white rose took over my senses, causing me to sneeze.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded in reply. "Sorry, they are freshly picked and the smell can be quite strong," he continued, his eyes squinted in concern. “Here are your flowers.”

“Thanks,” I responded, collecting them. Just as I was about to leave, he stopped me.

“Wait a minute, Miss. As a first-time customer, we have a small gift for you, on the house,” he added, bringing out a small flower bracelet.

“Thank you, it's so beautiful,'' I gushed.

“Can you help me put it on?” I asked, holding out my wrist.

“Of course” he beamed, but just as he was about to clasp it around my wrist, a large hand grabbed him and twisted his arm. shocked by the sudden interference, I turned back to see it was Dylan, my fiancé.

"What did you think you're doing?" Dylan said, staring down at me, his eyes burning with fury "Dylan, please stop!" I screamed as I watched him dart towards the sales boy, punching him right in the face. I struggled to get him off of the boy but Dylan pushed me, making me fall hard on the floor. I groaned, feeling the burning in pain.

Soon, I saw the security guards coming to get Dylan off him, dragging the both of us out of the shop.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" I asked Dylan, his cheeks beginning to form a bruise. I guessed the salesboy got a few hits on him. He looked at me, the fury evident in his eyes, and then before I knew it, he hit me in the face, causing me to fall the second time.

"Dylan…" I whispered, looking up at him. I hadn't expected him to hit me. It wasn't the first time he was hitting me whenever I did something wrong, but I hadn't thought I had done something wrong this time.

He dragged me up, dragging me towards his car. I tried to explain but it only made him grab my hands tighter.

"So you want me to believe that you only came here to get flowers because you needed to visit your mum but I come here to see him touching you like that? Can’t you think of a more pathetic lie?" he said as he drove the car, my heart pounding hard against my chest. I've never liked to see Dylan angry with me.

I bit my lip, not knowing how to convince him.

"I'm taking you back home, right now," he stated, leaving no room for negotiation.

Oh God! Father is going to kill me.

There was a stiff atmosphere in the car as Dylan drove us back home, I could feel his anger from where I was seated. I knew apologizing was the best way to calm him down, so I broke the silence.

"Are you still angry?" I asked, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road.

“I'm sorry for what happened earlier. It was my fault I shouldn't have allowed him to touch me.” I apologized but he ignored me.

“You're right, and I’m really sorry. Can you not be angry anymore? Dylan.” I pleaded, shaking his arm lightly. Finally, there was a crack in his expression as he let out a small sigh.

“You're really something else, Kira. You know how much it upsets me when other men touch you or try to get close to you and still you do the same thing and allow th-"

“I'm sorry,” I interrupted him before he could finish.

“Fine, whatever,” he muttered, before adding, "I guess I should also apologize for hitting you earlier,”

"No, you don’t have to, it doesn't hurt at all, and besides, you were angry earlier," I said, waving both of my hands to show I was fine.

"He gave me a chaste kiss on the lip, before focusing back on the road. I blushed cheekily and stared out the window.

I began to notice the unfamiliar road but decided to keep quiet not wanting to annoy him with my questions.

Soon we arrived at a detention center, making me more confused.

"Dylan?"

“Let's go inside,” he replied. We both got out of the car and saw a warden who seemed to have been waiting for us. He greeted us politely while leading us into the detention center. Unable to hold back my curiosity I asked, “Why are we here?”

“To see my brother,” he replied, causing me to momentarily pause in my steps.

Dylan's brother, Adrian Vasillos, was a very famous person in the mafia world. Ranging from arson to murder, there was no crime he wasn't capable of committing, he was even nicknamed Azrael: the angel of death. It was no surprise that such a person ended up in prison.

"Are you scared?" He teased as we sat down in the visiting room. I glared at him, angrily. How could anyone not be afraid? Apart from his brother's terrible reputation, there was still the fact that he had a bad relationship with Dylan.

I forgot about my fears when I saw his overly handsome face as he approached us. Even with his otherworldly appearance, there was still a terrifying and sinister aura around him which snapped me back to my senses causing me to return my gaze hurriedly.

“It has been a while brother, I must say prison orange suits you, it really brings out your eyes.” Dylan mocked. Adrian only glanced at him before shifting his gaze to me. I stiffened immediately, Oh no, did he notice me staring at him earlier?

“It's been a long time, little rebel. You’ve definitely blossomed since the last time I saw you,” Adrain's cold, magnetic voice rang out totally ignoring Dylan. I raised my brows questioningly but didn't say anything remembering that my over-possessive fiance was sitting next to me. Dylan's expression wasn't good after being ignored but he continued, "Leave her alone, Adrian" Dylan growled. "Father has a little gift for you before your release," he said before putting down some documents on the table.

“You're still as naive and gullible as before,” Adrain said to me, ignoring Dylan for the second time. I was on the verge of tears right now seeing how he was using me to shun Dylan but I couldn't say anything. Dylan on the other hand couldn't take it anymore as he slammed his hands on the table angrily.

“I am talking to you!” he shouted, his voice trembling with anger. In an instant, the guard beside Adrain drew his gun, aiming it straight at Dylan’s head.

Oh God…