Chapter 65 Chapter 65
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Irina's POV
My heart was racing so fast I thought it would burst from my chest.
This could not be happening. This was not real.
But his hand was on my arm. His grip was tight and possessive.
I could feel his fingers digging into my skin through the fabric of my wedding dress.
"What did you do to Dimitri?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
My words came out shaky despite my best efforts.
"Shh," Alexei whispered, leaning closer to my ear. "Act normal. Smile. We have guests watching."
His breath was hot against my neck. It made my skin crawl with disgust.
I looked around frantically. Mafia families were everywhere, watching us, talking, and laughing.
They had no idea what was happening. No idea that the groom standing before them was not who they thought.
Where was Mikhail? I needed Mikhail.
But then I remembered. Mikhail was not here. He was not in support of the wedding from the start.
He had refused to attend. And now I was stuck with this monster.
"I will scream," I threatened quietly. "I will tell everyone who you really are."
Alexei chuckled darkly. "Go ahead. But who will believe you? I look exactly like my brother."
He was right. The silver hair, the blue eyes, the features. Everything was identical.
Even their voices sounded the same. It was impossible to tell them apart by looking.
"Now smile," he ordered. "We have to greet the guests."
He took my hand and squeezed it tightly. My hands hurt.
But I forced a smile on my face. I had to play along for now.
I needed time to think. Time to figure out how to escape this nightmare.
We walked through the crowd together. Alexei held my hand the entire time.
His grip never loosened. Not even for a second.
"Congratulations!" People said, shaking our hands.
"Thank you," Alexei replied, his voice mimicking Dimitri's perfectly.
"You make such a beautiful couple!" An older woman said with a warm smile even though it was fake.
"Thank you so much," Alexei said, pulling me closer to his side.
But I could see the differences. Small things that nobody else noticed.
The way he held himself. The way he moved. The coldness in his eyes.
Dimitri's eyes were warm and kind. Alexei's eyes were cold and calculating.
This was not my Dimitri. This was a monster wearing his face.
"You are insane," I whispered to him between greetings. "You are a monster."
Alexei just smiled like a maniac. "I am in love, baby girl. There is a difference."
His words made me sick to my stomach. This was not love. This was obsession!
I tried to signal the guards. I made eye contact with several of them.
I tried to show them my fear, my panic, my desperation.
I widened my eyes. I tried to mouth words. I tried everything.
But none of them noticed. They just smiled and nodded.
Why could nobody see what was happening?! Why was I the only one who knew?!
Maybe because they had no reason to suspect. Why would they think their boss had been replaced?
"I need to use the restroom," I said suddenly, trying to pull away from Alexei.
This was my chance. If I could get away from him, I could find help.
"No," he said firmly, his grip on my hand tightened even more. "You stay with me."
Pain shot through my hand from his grip. I winced but tried not to show it.
"But I really need to…"
"I said no, Irina," he interrupted. His voice was calm but threatening.
There was a warning in his tone. Promising consequences if I pushed further.
I felt tears starting to form in my eyes. This was a nightmare.
A nightmare I could not wake up from no matter how hard I tried.
The party continued around us. Music played. People danced.
They were celebrating what they thought was a lavish wedding.
But I was trapped. Trapped with the man who had terrorized me for months.
The man who had kept me prisoner. Who had hurt me. Who had controlled me.
Alexei turned to me as we walked. “I should have come earlier.” He grinned. “It would have been me who said the vows.”
I felt cold shivers run down my spine. That would have been the worst!
Time passed slowly. Each minute felt like an hour.
I watched the clock on the wall. The hands moved slowly.
Gradually, the party started winding down. Guests began leaving.
My heart sank with each departure. Each person who left meant less witnesses.
"Thank you for coming!" Alexei said, waving goodbye to families as they departed.
He was playing the role perfectly.
Nobody suspected anything.
He smiled just like Dimitri would. He spoke just like Dimitri would.
He was a master at deception.
Fear rose in my chest like a tidal wave. What would happen when everyone left?
What would Alexei do to me when we were alone?
Would he hurt me? Would he take me away? Would I ever see Dimitri again?
"Where is Dimitri?" I asked again quietly. "What did you do to him?"
"Your precious Dimitri is taking a little nap," Alexei replied with a smirk. "Do not worry, he is alive. For now."
Those last two words sent chills down my spine.
"You are sick," I said. "You need help."
"The only thing I need is you," he said, pulling me closer. "And now I have you."
I felt disgusted.
His words were possessive. Like I was an object he had won.
Finally, the last guests departed. The hall was empty except for guards.
The servants were cleaning up, collecting glasses and taking down decorations.
"It is time to go for your honeymoon, boss!" One guard said with a knowing smile.
The other guards chuckled. Some of them made teasing comments.
Alexei grinned. "Yes, it is time. Come, my love."
He put his arm around my waist. Leading me towards the exit.
He led me towards the front entrance where a car was waiting.
A black luxury car with tinted windows. The engine was already running.
My heart sank. This was it. This was my chance to escape or cry for help.
But how? How could I escape with so many of Dimitri's guards around?
"Guards!" I started to shout, but Alexei squeezed my hand painfully.
The pain was immediate and sharp. I gasped and stopped mid-sentence.
"Careful," he warned quietly. "Unless you want something bad to happen to Dimitri."
His voice was low. Only I could hear him. But the threat was clear.
I froze. He had Dimitri.
If I fought back now, Dimitri might die and I could not risk that.
We reached the car. Several guards stood nearby, smiling at us.
They looked so happy.
"Have a wonderful honeymoon, boss!" One guard said.
"We will," Alexei replied smoothly.
"But not quite yet. I have a surprise prepared for my beautiful bride first."
The guards smiled. Some of them blushed and looked away.
They thought it was romantic. They thought it was Dmitri being a loving husband.
"We will give you privacy then,
boss," the head guard said. "Take your time."
"Thank you," Alexei said. "You can all return to your posts. We will leave shortly."
The guards nodded and walked away. All of them.
They dispersed to different areas of the estate. Leaving me completely alone with Alexei.
My worst nightmare had come true.
Alexei opened the car door. His smile was pure evil.
"Get in the car," he whispered. "We are disappearing forever.”