Chapter 63 Untitled Chapter
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Irina's POV
I stood at the altar in my beautiful white gown. My heart was beating fast with nervousness and excitement.
This was really happening. I was really marrying Dimitri.
When he asked me to marry him, I was shocked. Completely shocked.
"Let's get married," he had said, his voice was serious but warm.
For a moment, I could not speak. I could not think. I could not breathe.
My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. This was dangerous. This was crazy.
Alexei would never accept it. The underworld would mock us. There would be consequences.
But when I looked into Dimitri's ocean blue eyes, all my fears seemed smaller somehow.
"I know it is dangerous," I finally said. "I know this will cause problems."
I took a deep breath, gathering my courage.
"But I will give it a try," I whispered. "I will marry you, Dimitri."
The relief on his face was beautiful. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.
"I will protect you," he promised. "I swear I will keep you safe. Alexei will not get to you."
And I believed him. Against all logic, against all reason, I believed him.
The wedding planning started immediately. Everything moved so fast.
Servants rushed around the estate, decorating, preparing, and organizing.
Dimitri increased security detail. Guards were everywhere, watching everything.
"You are safe," he kept telling me. "Alexei will not get to you. I promise."
He gave strict orders that Alexei and his men were not to be allowed into the estate under any circumstances.
The guards were instructed to be on high alert. To watch for anything suspicious.
Days passed in a blur. Dress fittings, menu selections, guest list approvals.
The dress designer created a stunning white gown for me. It was adorned with silver threads and pearls.
"We will design it to hide your belly," she said kindly. "No one will know you are pregnant."
I touched my small baby bump gently. This baby was part of Dimitri's brother.
But Dimitri said he did not care. He wanted me anyway. He wanted the baby anyway.
That meant more to me than words could express.
Finally, the wedding day arrived.
I woke up early. My stomach was full of butterflies.
Servants helped me get ready. They did my hair, applied my makeup, and helped me into my dress.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
I looked like a princess from a fairy tale. Beautiful, elegant, and glowing.
But underneath the beauty, I was terrified. What if something went wrong? What if Alexei tried something?
"You look beautiful, miss," one of the servants said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," I replied softly.
From today, I would no longer be Dmitri's maid, I would be his wife.
Music started playing from downstairs. The ceremony was beginning.
My heart pounded so hard I thought everyone could hear it.
Then it was time to walk down the aisle.
I stepped out of the dressing room. The main hall had been transformed into something magical.
Thousands of candles created a warm glow. White roses and lilies filled every space.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead. Everything was decorated in gold, silver, and diamond.
Mafia families sat in rows, watching me. Their eyes followed my every movement.
I could hear their whispers, their comments, their judgment.
"That is her? The one carrying Alexei's baby?"
"This is insane. A brother marrying his brother's baby mama?"
"It has never been done. What was Don Dimitri thinking?"
I held my head high. I would not let their words hurt me. I would not show weakness.
At the end of the aisle stood Dimitri. He looked so handsome in his black suit.
His silver hair was styled perfectly.
His ocean blue eyes were fixed on me.
When I finally reached him, he took my hand gently.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
I smiled. "Thank you."
The ceremony began. The priest spoke the traditional words.
Everything was perfect. Everything was going according to plan.
The guests watched. Some smiled genuinely. Others frowned with disapproval.
But I only focused on Dimitri. On the man who was about to become my husband.
After we said our vows, and mingled with the guests a waiter approached with a tray.
Two crystal glasses filled with champagne sat on the silver tray.
"Congratulations," the waiter said politely.
We smiled and took the glasses.
"To us," Dimitri said, raising his glass.
"To us," I repeated, smiling. Tears prickled at the edges of my eyes, but I couldn't ruin my makeup.
We clinked our glasses together and drank the champagne in one go.
The champagne was sweet and bubbly. It tasted expensive.
Then after a while, I noticed something strange. Dimitri's expression had changed.
His face went pale and sweat formed on his forehead.
"Dimitri?" I asked, worried. "Are you okay?"
He swayed slightly. His eyes looked unfocused.
The music was too loud. I could barely hear anything.
"I am fine," he said, but his voice was strained. "I just... I need to get to the bathroom."
I started to follow him. "I will come with you."
"No," he said quickly. "No, it would not make sense. You stay here."
He walked away, pushing through the crowd. I watched him go with concern.
Was he sick? Was something wrong with the champagne?
I waited, smiling at guests who congratulated me. But my mind was on Dimitri.
Minutes passed. Five minutes. Then ten.
Where was he? What was taking so long?
Finally, I saw him walking back through the crowd.
Relief washed over me. He was okay.
He reached me and stood beside me. His face looked normal now. No more sweating.
"What took you so long?" I asked, studying his face carefully.
"I just needed some air," he replied.
But something about his voice was different and slightly off.
"Are you good now?" I pressed, concerned.
"Yes," he said. But he was not looking at me. His eyes were focused somewhere else.
That was strange. Dimitri always made eye contact when he talked to me.
I felt worry growing in my chest.
Something was wrong. Something was not right.
"Dmitri," I called, reaching out to touch his arm.
He flinched slightly at my touch. It was just a small movement, but I noticed it.
"I am tired," he said. "The party should be over soon so I can go rest."
That was when I knew.
Dimitri would never say that. Not on our wedding day. He would never want to leave my side even when he was tired.
My heart started racing. Fear rose in my throat like bile.
I looked at him more carefully.
The hair was silver. The eyes were blue. The features were the same.
But the demeanor was different. The way he stood. The way he moved. The way he spoke.
This was not my Dimitri.
"You're not Dimitri," I said, my voice shaking with fear.
Then he smiled. It was a slow, and dangerous smile that made my b
lood run cold.
"Took you so long, baby girl," he said.
Though the eyes were blue like Dimitri's, the look in them was completely different. It was cold and cruel.
My breath caught in my throat. I could feel my heart stop beating.
No. No, this could not be happening.
"Alexei," I whispered.
His smile grew wider.
"Hello, Irina," he said softly. "Did you miss me?”