THE DON’S FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
The Don’s Forbidden Marriage – Chapter 15
©Joy Cindy
The Wedding Before Midnight
“Hello, sister.”
Elena stood completely still.
The young man beneath the chandelier looked exhausted.
Rainwater covered his dark coat. A faint scar crossed his eyebrow, and his eyes were the same deep brown as her mother’s.
For a moment, Elena could not speak.
“Matteo?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Her mother moved forward.
“Matteo.”
The sound of his name broke something inside her.
She rushed toward him.
Matteo hesitated.
Then he allowed her to hold him.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Elena watched them.
Her mother had spent years believing her son was gone.
Matteo had grown up without knowing his family.
And now they stood together in the middle of a house filled with secrets.
Elena stepped closer.
“Are you really my brother?”
Matteo looked at her.
“I was hoping you would ask something easier.”
A small laugh escaped her.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
She hugged him.
At first, Matteo remained still.
Then he slowly placed his arms around her.
“I didn’t know I had a sister,” he said.
“I didn’t know I had a brother.”
They pulled apart.
Elena studied him.
“How did you escape?”
Matteo’s expression changed.
“I didn’t.”
Everyone became silent.
Alessandro stepped forward.
“What does that mean?”
Matteo looked toward the open doors.
“Vittorio let me leave.”
Alessandro’s face hardened.
“Why?”
“Because he wanted me to bring a message.”
Matteo reached into his coat.
He removed a black envelope.
The same black rose was stamped across the front.
Elena took it.
Her name was written in silver ink.
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a single card.
THE WEDDING WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
Elena looked up.
“What wedding?”
Matteo swallowed.
“Yours.”
Alessandro took the card.
“There will be no wedding.”
Matteo shook his head.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“Vittorio has called the council.”
The room became quiet.
Alessandro’s father stepped forward.
“That’s impossible.”
“He has the old records,” Matteo replied.
“And the evidence,” Elena added.
Matteo nodded.
“He told the council that the engagement is valid.”
Elena looked at the ring.
“And they believe him?”
“Some do.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
Matteo hesitated.
“Vittorio takes control of the council.”
Alessandro frowned.
“He can’t.”
“He says he can.”
“Why?”
Matteo looked at Elena.
“Because the heir has to choose.”
Elena’s heart tightened.
“And I’m the heir.”
“Yes.”
She looked around the room.
Everyone was waiting for her.
Everyone expected her to decide.
But this time, she would not allow anyone to force her.
“What does Vittorio want me to choose?”
Matteo answered:
“Him.”
Elena’s expression hardened.
“No.”
“He says if you refuse, he will expose every secret.”
“Let him.”
Matteo shook his head.
“You don’t know what he has.”
“Then tell me.”
“He has proof that your father helped plan the attack.”
Elena remained silent.
“He also has proof that Alessandro knew about it.”
Alessandro’s eyes narrowed.
“That is not true.”
“Vittorio says it is.”
“Vittorio lies.”
“Maybe,” Matteo replied. “But the council will believe the evidence.”
Elena looked at Alessandro.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“You were in the photograph.”
“I was there because I was trying to stop him.”
“Can you prove that?”
Alessandro didn’t answer.
Her heart sank.
“You can’t.”
“Not yet.”
Matteo stepped closer.
“There’s more.”
Elena looked at him.
“What?”
“Vittorio says the wedding must happen before midnight.”
“Why?”
“Because the council meets at midnight.”
“And?”
“If you are married before the meeting, the Romano and Moretti families become one.”
Alessandro’s father frowned.
“That would stop Vittorio from dividing them.”
“Yes,” Matteo said.
Elena looked at Alessandro.
“So Vittorio is forcing us to marry to stop him?”
“No,” Alessandro replied. “He’s forcing us to marry because he believes he can control the marriage.”
“How?”
“He thinks the contract gives him power over the council.”
Elena looked down.
Nothing made sense.
The marriage had begun as a threat.
Then it became a secret.
Now it was a weapon.
She turned toward Matteo.
“What happened while you were with Vittorio?”
His face became distant.
“He trained me.”
“For what?”
“To protect him.”
Elena frowned.
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then why did he let you leave?”
Matteo looked at the black envelope.
“Because he knew I would bring you here.”
“Here?”
“To the wedding.”
Alessandro moved closer.
“Where is it?”
Matteo pointed toward the old chapel inside the villa.
“The ceremony will happen there.”
Elena stared at him.
“The chapel?”
“The council is already arriving.”
A loud sound came from outside.
Car doors.
Footsteps.
Dozens of them.
Alessandro turned toward Leo.
“How many?”
“More than twenty.”
“Who?”
“Family leaders.”
Elena looked through the window.
Black cars filled the driveway.
Men and women entered the villa.
They were dressed in formal clothes.
The wedding was already beginning.
Alessandro looked at Elena.
“We can leave.”
She turned toward him.
“And Matteo?”
“He comes with us.”
“And my mother?”
“She comes too.”
“And the evidence?”
“We find another way.”
Elena looked at the guests.
Then at the ring.
Then at the chapel.
“No.”
Alessandro frowned.
“No?”
“We don’t run.”
“Elena.”
“We’ve been running from secrets for eight years.”
“This is different.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“What if we use the wedding?”
His eyes narrowed.
“How?”
“Vittorio expects me to choose him.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll make him believe I’m considering it.”
Alessandro stared at her.
“You want to deceive him?”
“Yes.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“You said that already.”
“Elena.”
“I’m not agreeing to marry you.”
His expression softened.
“Good.”
“But I will attend the ceremony.”
“Why?”
“To find out who is working with Vittorio.”
Matteo looked at her.
“He’ll be there.”
“Then we’ll watch him.”
Alessandro remained silent.
Finally, he nodded.
“Fine.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“Fine?”
“You’re becoming difficult.”
“I learned from you.”
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Alessandro’s face.
Then it disappeared.
“But there are rules.”
“Of course.”
“You stay beside me.”
“Not behind you.”
“Beside me.”
“And?”
“If anything goes wrong, we leave.”
“No arguments?”
“No arguments.”
Elena held out her hand.
“Deal?”
Alessandro looked at it.
Then shook her hand.
“Deal.”
An hour later, the villa had changed.
The main hall was decorated.
White flowers covered the tables.
Candles burned along the walls.
Music played quietly.
But Elena did not feel like a bride.
She felt like a person walking into a trap.
Her mother helped her prepare.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said.
“I know.”
“You can still leave.”
“I know.”
Her mother touched her face.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For leaving you.”
Elena looked at her.
“You were trying to protect me.”
“That doesn’t excuse it.”
“No.”
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“But I’m here now.”
Elena nodded.
“Yes.”
A knock sounded.
Alessandro entered.
He wore a black suit.
He looked calm.
But Elena knew him well enough to see the tension in his eyes.
“You’re ready,” he said.
“No.”
“Good.”
She frowned.
“Good?”
“People who think they’re ready usually aren’t.”
Elena almost laughed.
Then she looked at him.
“Are you afraid?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
His eyes met hers.
“A little.”
The answer surprised her.
“Of what?”
“Losing someone else.”
Elena became quiet.
She looked toward the chapel doors.
“Then don’t lose me.”
Alessandro stepped closer.
“I won’t.”
Before she could answer, Matteo entered.
“Vittorio is here.”
The room became silent.
Elena placed the ring on her finger.
The black rose reflected the candlelight.
She looked at Alessandro.
“Remember.”
“I know.”
“No one chooses for me.”
“No one.”
They walked toward the chapel.
The doors opened.
Every guest turned.
At the front stood Vittorio.
He wore a dark suit.
A silver rose was pinned to his jacket.
His smile was calm.
“Welcome, Elena.”
She walked forward.
Alessandro remained beside her.
Vittorio looked at him.
“Still protecting her?”
Alessandro’s voice was cold.
“Always.”
Vittorio laughed.
“We’ll see.”
The ceremony began.
An old council leader stepped forward.
“We are gathered to unite two families.”
Elena looked around.
Every face watched her.
Every secret waited.
Then the council leader asked:
“Elena Moretti, do you accept this marriage?”
The room became silent.
Alessandro looked at her.
He did not speak.
He did not pressure her.
He waited.
Elena took a breath.
Then she answered:
“I accept.”
Gasps filled the chapel.
Alessandro’s expression changed.
Vittorio smiled.
But Elena wasn’t finished.
She turned toward the council.
“I accept the right to choose.”
Vittorio’s smile disappeared.
Elena removed the engagement ring.
Then held it above the altar.
“The old contract is finished.”
She placed the ring on the table.
“No family owns my future.”
The room became silent.
Then Vittorio stepped forward.
“You’ve made a mistake.”
Elena looked at him.
“No.”
She pointed toward the guests.
“I’ve made a choice.”
Vittorio’s eyes became cold.
“Then the evidence will be released.”
“Do it.”
“You don’t know what it contains.”
“Maybe not.”
Elena looked at Alessandro.
“But I know the truth won’t stay hidden forever.”
Vittorio smiled.
“You still trust him?”
Elena turned toward Alessandro.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she answered:
“I’m learning.”
Suddenly, every light went out.
The chapel doors slammed shut.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
“Then learn this.”
A loud sound came from above.
The ceiling lights flashed.
And a large screen appeared behind the altar.
A recording began.
Elena’s father appeared.
He looked directly into the camera.
Then he spoke:
“If you are watching this, Elena… Alessandro betrayed us all.”
The room erupted.
Elena turned toward Alessandro.
His face had gone completely still.
And for the first time—
She didn’t know what to believe.
