Chapter 1: Till Death Do Us Part

Ava's POV

Chicago~

It was my wedding day.

A small gasp escaped my lips as I stood before the trenched mirror, trailing my fingers down my wedding dress in awe. The sight set before me was nothing short of elegant, and I could already imagine Fernando's gaze fixing on me—the way his eyes would light up.

He would be breathless.

I was sure of it. The simple thought of that made me even more eager now, and a blush crept up my cheeks.

I took a more detailed look at my dress, unable to take my eyes off it.

Gosh, it was perfect.

The fabric was a blend of satin and lace with nude net sleeves, which covered the entirety of my arm with sheer elegance and beauty. The dress was firm and fitted, hugging its way down to my hips pleasantly before releasing its hold and easing its way down my heels.

I twirled before the mirror over and over again, raising my dress. I ignored the gentle giggles of my dresser and make-up artist, who were standing behind me, gazing at me.

The door clicked open a second later, and I instantly swirled my head to the side to see who had come in.

"Aunt Mary," I called as she walked into the room, grinning. "You made it."

Aunt Mary stopped in her tracks the minute her gaze fell on me, and her jaw dropped open, "OH MY!" She exclaimed, coming closer with wide eyes. "Ava, my gosh. You look…." she trailed off, her eyes glittering.

"You look perfect, Ava," she continued, reaching a palm to my cheek as she stood before me.

Her eyes had begun to water already, "You're the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Fernando won't know what hit him today."

I laughed, "Thanks, Aunt Mary," I mumbled, grinning broadly. "I'm so glad you made it."

"Of course I did. I wouldn't miss your wedding for anything. In fact, I told my boss that I'd quit if he didn't give me a leave of absence today."

"No, you didn't," I shook my head.

"Oh, trust me, honey, I did. I wasn't about to let anything keep me from attending."

"Oh! Aunt Mary. I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too," she glared. "You're so pretty, Ava. Seeing in this dress just…." she cupped my cheeks, a tear rolling down her face, "I wish your parents could see you right now."

Aunt Mary had raised me on her own after the death of my parents. She was all the family I had in this world, and she meant the world to me.

"My sister would have been so proud," she added with a sniff, and I could feel the sting in the back of my eyes at the mention of my parents.

I didn't want to cry.

I had spent a huge amount of my childhood doing that, and growing up, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't do that anymore.

Especially not today.

Today was the happiest day of my life. So, no crying. I wasn't going to let anything ruin today for me.

It had to be perfect.

"Oh, come on, Aunt Mary. No crying at my wedding, please. You don't want me to ruin my makeup and look like a ghost at the altar, do you?" I joked, forcing a laugh. "Mom wouldn't like that," I said, widening my gaze to prevent a tear from slipping out.

She sniffed, wiping the tears from her face and hugging me. "I'm sorry," she mumbled and released me from her grip almost instantly, "You're just so beautiful," she grinned, "I'm so proud of you, Ava."

"Thanks, Aunt. It means a lot to hear you say that."

The door clicked open again, and Sophie, my maid of honor and best friend, walked into the room, wearing a huge grin as her eyes fell on me.

"Wow!" she exclaimed, "You look amazing," she complimented.

"Thanks, Soph," I said dramatically, beaming at the sight of her.

"It's time. Are you ready to go?" she asked, and I turned to my Aunt Mary, suddenly feeling a stir in my stomach. I was nervous.

She seemed to sense my anxiety as she smiled and said, "It's normal to get a little anxious before the wedding. You'll be okay," she placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'll be out there."

I exhaled with a nod, "I'll see you after," I replied as she left the room.

I grabbed the bouquet from the table and took one last look in the mirror before leaving the room. My heart thumped in my chest—a blend of excitement and anxiety tangled up in my stomach.

We got to the entrance of the hall in no time, and I took a long, deep breath, moving more slowly now.

The scent of flowers filled the grand hall as I walked. Its high ceilings were embellished with chandeliers that cast a warm, soft glow over the room.

The walls were draped in sheer ivory fabric, and rows of polished wooden chairs were neatly arranged, facing an intricately designed altar.

The gazes of familiar and unfamiliar faces fell on me, and the soft, harmonious music echoed in the background, aligning with each step I took.

The path to the altar was lined with red roses leading all the way to him—Fernando, the love of my life.

His eyes twinkled as they fixed on me, and I could see the delight on his face.

This moment was perfect, just like I had always imagined, and after tonight, I would be his forever.

The distance closed, and finally, I stood before him.

"You look stunning," he said, sounding almost as breathless as I imagined. "I think I might want to marry you more than once," he said, and I blushed.

"You're silly," I mouthed, feeling slightly shy before him.

He rolled his eyes, "I'm anything for you, Ava. Anything," he emphasized, stepping closer to me.

That was Fernando. He was charming as always, and no one in the world made me happier than him.

"Me too," I mumbled with a smile.

"Beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union…" the priest started as he stepped closer to us, and my heart thumped more steadily now. Fernando didn't take his eyes off me the entire time, and neither did I.

"Avaline Richards, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the priest asked, and Fernando's grin widened.

I looked at my Aunt in the front row, grinning at me proudly. Everyone looked so joyful.

I swirled my head back to Fernando, nodding, I opened my mouth to speak, "I—"

Before the words could leave my lips, the deafening sound of a gunshot went off, then multiple shots, causing an immediate uproar as screams echoed through the room.

Fernando fell to the floor first, taking a straight hit, and the bouquet in my hand slipped from my grasp to the floor.

"Fernando," I screamed, shock holding me to the spot.

The sudden chaos and fear gripped the room as people screamed and scrambled for cover as the shot continued to echo across the room.

I instinctively dove to the ground, my heart pounding in my chest.

The sight of Fernando on the floor, bleeding out, filled me with shock and dread.

My eyes darted to the congregation, and the gruesome sight of bodies on the ground filled me with horrors.

My heart thumped aggressively.

"Ava!" Aunt Mary yelled, running toward me when another shot echoed through the hall, and her body dropped to the floor instantly.

"No! Aunt Mary!" I yelled, tears pooling down my face as I watched her body lay lifeless on the floor.

I couldn't move a muscle. Fear had me pinned to the floor like a rock holding down a helpless piece of paper.

The tears were never-ending as they streamed down my face, and my chest constricted with so much pain.

The wails of despair filled the air, thick like a fog. Amidst the chaos, a muscular figure marched down to me with a pistol clutched in his grasp.

The closer he got to me, the more aggressively my body trembled.

His presence was something almost demonic. His eyes were ice cold.

His feet stopped dead before me, and he stretched down the gun to me, his gaze fixed on me relentlessly.

This was it. My end.

He lowered the pistol. "It would be a waste to kill a beauty such as you. I think I have better plans for you," he said in a cold, gruff voice that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Niko," someone called from behind him. "The cops are getting closer. We have to go now."

"I am not leaving without this beauty," he whispered and I felt my blood run dry.

He turned to me and slammed the back of the pistol against my head.

Everything turned dark.