Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 58: Sexy ever after

The bells of the Chiesa di San Lorenzo rang faintly in the distance, a soft melody carried by the warm breeze that swept through the Italian countryside. Clara stood in the small room of the church, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her hand trembled as she adjusted the delicate lace veil, trying to steady her breath. The white silk dress clung loosely to her, hiding the secret growing inside her belly, but it did nothing to ease the nervous weight pressing on her chest. She was getting married today. To Adrian.

The thought sent a rush of anxiety through her. She had spent so long dreaming of this moment, imagining it filled with love, joy, and warmth. Yet here she was, alone in a room, her stomach knotted with fear. Adrian's coldness over the past few weeks had shaken her deeply. They barely spoke, and when they did, his responses were clipped, distant. She had convinced herself that once they were married, things would be different. He would come back to her, wouldn't he? Her heart ached as she remembered the Adrian she had fallen in love with the one who made her laugh, who held her as if she was the most precious thing in his life. But now, she could barely recognize the man he had become. He was colder than ever, his stern demeanor a wall she couldn't penetrate.

"Mrs. Belfort,” she whispered to herself, testing the name on her lips. It felt foreign, heavy. She wondered if it would ever feel real.

A knock on the door startled her. It was Adrian's assistant, neatly dressed, expression neutral. "Miss Miller, it's time," he said.

Clara nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She grabbed her bouquet of white roses, took one last glance at herself in the mirror, and stepped out into the hall. There was no one waiting for her, no one to give her away. The emptiness of the moment hit her hard, but she forced herself to keep moving, her legs shaky as she walked toward the chapel.

The small church was nearly empty, save for Adrian and a priest waiting at the altar. Adrian stood tall, his back rigid, his gaze fixed straight ahead. He didn't look at her as she made her way down the aisle. Her heart sank, but she kept walking, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When she reached him, Adrian finally glanced at her. His eyes were unreadable, a mix of sternness and something else something she couldn't quite decipher. Was it regret? Or maybe obligation?

The ceremony began, the priest's voice echoing through the church, but Clara could barely focus. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her chest tightening with every second that passed. She glanced at Adrian, hoping for some sign, some flicker of warmth or emotion. But there was nothing. He stood still, his expression blank, answering the priest's questions with a calm, detached voice.

When the vows were exchanged, Clara's voice shook as she promised to love, honor, and cherish him. Adrian's voice was steady, almost mechanical. There was no love, no tenderness in his words, and it shattered something inside her. By the time the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Clara felt numb.

As Clara stood in front of Adrian, her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. When he opened it, she caught her breath. Inside was a stunning ring-two diamonds, one a delicate pear shape, the other a square-cut stone, nestled side by side in perfect contrast. It was bold, unconventional, yet undeniably beautiful, much like her tumultuous relationship with him. The ring sparkled under the soft light of the church, accompanied by a simple but elegant wedding band. Adrian took her trembling hand, sliding the ring onto her finger with a calm precision that made her feel distant from the moment. She followed suit, slipping his band onto his finger with shaky fingers, her eyes searching his face for a glimmer of the intimacy they once shared.

Adrian leaned in to kiss her, his lips brushing hers in a cold, brief gesture. It was nothing like the kisses they used to share, and it left her feeling more confused than ever.

They left the church in silence, Clara's heart heavy as they got into the car that would take them to the luxury hotel where they would spend their wedding night. The ride was quiet, tense. Adrian stared out the window, lost in thought, while Clara sat beside him, her hands trembling in her lap. She tried to tell herself that things would get better, that maybe this was just his way of dealing with everything. But deep down, she wasn't so sure.

When they arrived at the hotel, Adrian led her to their suite, a lavish room with a stunning view of Lake Como. Clara's eyes wandered over the luxurious furnishings, but none of it registered. The beauty of the place felt hollow. She turned to Adrian, who was standing by the window, his posture stiff.

"Adrian," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happens now?"

He didn't turn to look at her. "We'll leave for Greece tomorrow. I have a plane ready."

Clara blinked, surprised. "Greece?"

"We'll stay there for a while. Just until I can set up something more permanent." His voice was flat, emotionless.

She hesitated, trying to make sense of his words. "Is that... Is that going to be our honeymoon?"

Adrian's eyes flicked toward her, a hint of disdain flashing in them. "Sure," he said, the word dripping with disinterest.

Clara's heart sank, breaking a little more. She had hoped-desperately that maybe, just maybe, this would be the moment where things would turn around. But his indifference cut deep, a painful reminder of how far they had drifted from the love they once shared.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I see."

Clara stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, her wedding dress now a heap of silk at her feet. The weight of the day pressed on her chest as she ran her hands over the delicate fabric of her bridal lingerie, a custom-made La Perla set, the white lace clung to her skin, the champagne silk cool against her body... It was the most beautiful lingerie set she had ever seen in her life, something that would belong to a movie or even a dream.

She took a deep breath, realizing that the girl she once was the naive schoolgirl who had fallen hopelessly in love with her older, hot step-uncle was gone. In her place stood a wife, and soon, a mother. Married to one of the richest men in the world, she couldn't afford to crumble under the weight of her emotions anymore. There was no room for the scared little girl who wanted to run and cry. She needed to be strong, to act like the woman she was now expected to be. Clara adjusted her diamond earrings and smoothed her hair one last time before stepping out of the bathroom. The cool air of the bedroom brushed against her bare skin as she entered, wearing nothing but her lingerie and jewelry. She caught a glimpse of him, sitting on the edge of the bed, and squared her shoulders, determined to meet him not as the fragile bride she had felt like earlier, but as the wife she wished to be.