Riya could feel the guests pitiful gazes burning into her.
She avoided the eyes of her mother and younger brother, whose faces were stained with sorrow. Her heart ached at the sight.
Tightening her grip on her bouquet,she tried to steady her trembling hands.
From a young age,Riya had always imagined a wedding filled with joy-marrying the love of her life, smiling through happy tears at the altar.
But reality has given her something else entirely.
Now,she stood beside Leon, repeating vows she didn't mean, placing a ring on the finger of a man she barely know-a man whose family was wrapped in death and secrets.
The car ride to the Cruz mansion was cloaked in silence and tension.
Leon stole quite glances at her from the corner of his eye. Riya felt his gaze and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Do you have something to say?".she asked sharply,not turning to look at him.
Leon shook his head.
Still, Riya turned toward him.Their eyes met-hers hard with suspicion,his calm but unreasonable.
"I need answer", she said,her voice low but firm.
" About the rumors-the curse,the death.I have the right to know what I'm getting into. And...why me? I'm sure plenty of women would like up to marry someone like you ".
Leon sighed and looked out the window,his finger tapping against his knee.
" The part about murdering the brides...that false", he said quietly." But yes...it's true.Our family is cursed ".
Riya stared at him,her breath hitching.
A curse?He admitted it so easily-like it was nothing.
"But don't worry",he added,still not looking at her." In two months, I'll divorce you.You won't died".
She blinked."Divorce?What are you talking about?".
Leon didn't reply.
The words circled in her mind: Cursed.Divorce.
None of it made sense. If he really wanted to protect her,why marry her at all?
Why go through with it?
He was hiding something. She could feel it-deep in her gut.
Whatever it was...she would find out.No matter what.
