Chapter 9 But just as Marco opened his mouth to suggest skipping the formalities , the sound of a loud car engine echoed through the quiet ceremony space , shattering the stillness . Both Delilah and Marco turned their heads toward the entrance , confusion crossing their faces . Marco's brow furrowed as he exchanged a quick glance with the officiant , who seemed just as bewildered . Suddenly , the heavy doors to the church swung open , and a group of rugged men marched in . They moved with an air of purpose , their boots stomping against the stone floor , echoing through the sanctuary . The metallic glint of guns in their hands made Mary tremble , her fear evident in the way her face drained of color .. She clutched her hands together , looking between Marco and the men , her breaths quick and shallow . Gino and Marco exchanged brief looks of alarm . Neither of them had brought their guns ; they hadn't expected violence 0.00 % 13.050 1 Chapter 9 here in the sanctity of the church . Most especially when no one was aware of their wedding plans except Mary and his grandfather . Marco clenched his jaw , knowing they were at a disadvantage . He was helpless without his weapon , but his mind raced , trying to figure out who these men were and what they wanted . Delilah's heart raced in her chest , her hands trembling slightly as she instinctively took a step back . Marco squinted , his sharp eyes narrowing as he tried to make out the figure at the front of the group . The man in the center of the rugged men looked vaguely familiar . Marco squinted again , willing his memory to make sense of it . Then , one of the men stepped forward , taller and more imposing than the others . He collected a heavier gun from one of the other men , a gesture that signaled his authority . His posture , the way the others seemed to submit to him , made it clear he was their leader . As the man walked toward the front , Marco's jaw dropped in disbelief . It couldn't be ... " Vincent ? " Marco's voice cracked with shock . 10.59 % 13 05 Chapter 9 1 wk Houshets His cousin his elder cousin - had been presumed dead years ago in a car accident . Marco had mourned him , believed him lost . Yet here he was , very much alive and very much armed . Vincent let out a scoff , his face hardening into a fierce expression . Without a word , he lifted the gun and fired a shot into the air . The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the church , making Mary shriek and fall to her knees in terror . میر Delilah , who had been trying to remain composed , instinctively moved behind Marco . She'd thought maybe the man was a friend of Marco's , but the way Vincent wielded the gun like a toy unsettled her . Using Marco as a shield seemed like the safest option now . Despite her own interest in firearms , the sight of Vincent's reckless behavior left her shaken . } Marco , trying to ease the growing tension , stepped carefully away from the altar , his movements slow and deliberate as he approached Vincent . " Vincent , " Marco began , his voice low and measured , " whatever game you're playing , it needs to stop . This isn't the time for child's play . " 22.71 % 13.05 Chapter 9 1200 Vouchers Vincent's eyes gleamed dangerously as he leveled his gaze at Marco . " Child's play? " he repeated , his voice filled with mockery . Without hesitation , Vincent turned and fired a shot at Mary . The sound of the gunshot reverberated in the enclosed space as Mary collapsed onto the cold stone floor , her body limp . Marco stood frozen , the world around him moving in slow motion as dread seized his chest . Delilah screamed , the sound piercing the still air , her hands flying to her mouth in horror . The bullet had nearly grazed her before Vincent redirected it at Mary . The near miss sent her heart pounding in her throat . Delilah's vision blurred with terror as memories of her parents ' deaths flashed in her mind , the trauma of that day flooding back in an instant . Tears began to fall uncontrollably down her face as she dropped to her knees beside Mary , frantically trying to wake her . " Aunt ! Aunt , wake up ! " she cried , shaking her aunt's still body , but there was no response . Meanwhile , Vincent turned back to Marco , his expression darkening as he locked eyes with his cousin . " Does this still look like a child's play to you ? " he sneered , his voice laced with menace . 35.07 % 13 051 Chapter 9 25 che Marco clenched his fists , rage and helplessness warring inside him . He wanted to fight back , to make Vincent pay for what he'd just done , but he knew better than to act recklessly . Vincent took a step closer , the barrel of his gun now pressing against Marco's abdomen . " Be a good little mama's boy and don't cross your boundary , " Vincent hissed , his voice dripping with contempt . Marco raised his hands in surrender , his eyes never leaving Vincent's face . He could feel the impact of the situation crushing down on him . With a bitter swallow , he slowly backed up , returning to the altar as Vincent had commanded . Delilah was still sobbing over Mary , desperately trying to wake her , but it was no use . Her aunt lay unmoving , her breaths shallow and weak . Delilah's mind was racing , the horror of what had just happened overwhelming her . She pressed her hand against Mary's cheek , her voice hoarse as she whispered , " Please ... don't leave me . ' On the other hand , Marco and Gino had been forced into submission . Vincent's men stood firm , guns raised , watching them with cold , serious eyes . AB RAY 1305 Chapter 9 Marco and Gino's hands were cuffed behind their backs , leaving them helpless . Marco clenched his fists , trying to yank his wrists free , but the cuffs were too tight . His muscles strained against the cold metal , but it was no use . Marco's heart raced as he watched Vincent approach Delilah . Panic coursed through him , knowing full well what Vincent was capable of . He had to stop him . " What do you want , Vincent ? " Marco's voice was laced with desperation . " Is it money ? Drugs ? Guns ? Just tell me ! " He hoped the offer would catch Vincent's attention , anything to distract him from Delilah . Vincent , however , ignored Marco entirely . His eyes were fixed on Delilah , a smirk pulling at his lips as he sauntered towards her . Marco , frustrated and terrified , tried again to pull free from the cuffs . He could feel his pulse hammering in his ears . " I swear ... once I get my hands on my gun ... " Marco said bitterly . " Mark my words , Vincent . I'll ruin you . " The rugged man standing beside Marco jabbed him in the ribs with the barrel of his gun . " Shut up , " the man snarled . 61.15 % 13.05 Chapter 9 Marco gritted his teeth , his gaze burning with fury , but he knew better than to provoke them further . For now , he had no choice but to watch as Vincent closed in on Delilah . Vincent crouched in front of Delilah , his smirk deepening as he observed her tear - streaked face , her hands trembling as they rested on Mary's still body . Marco felt his heart sink . Guilt washed over him . " This is my fault , " he thought . " If only I'd brought my gun , if only I'd been prepared ... " His mind wandered for a moment , recalling the inappropriate thoughts he'd had about Delilah earlier - the way he had admired her curves , the fantasies that had consumed him . And now , all those thoughts seemed meaningless in the face of the real danger . She could die . Vincent could easily murder her , and there would be nothing he could do to stop it . Vincent glanced down at Mary , his expression one of fake , pity . He clicked his tongue , shaking his head slightly . " She won't make it , " he said coldly , devoid of any emotion . " Better focus on the wedding instead . " Delilah looked up at him , her red , tear - filled eyes brimming with a mix of anger and heartbreak . Her hands clenched into fists , her nails digging into her palms , but she knew she was powerless . 73.51 % 13 050 Chapter 9 11 Vincent chuckled darkly , sensing her frustration . " Oh , don't worry , " he said with a wicked gleam in his eye . " I still plan on you marrying into the Donato family . " He leaned closer , lowering his voice as he added , " Only this time ... you'll be marrying me instead . " Delilah's blood ran cold . Her breath hitched in her throat as her body tensed . What ? Marco , who had been watching intently , was equally stunned . His mind struggled to process what he had just heard . " What the hell are you talking about ? " he shouted , his voice filled with outrage . " She's my bride ! " Vincent smiled , standing up slowly and turning to face Marco . " That was before I walked in , " he said smoothly , a wicked glint in his eyes . He reached down , pulling Delilah to her feet with a rough grip . Marco's heart pounded as Vincent pressed the barrel of his gun to the side of Delilah's forehead . His breath caught in his throat , helpless to stop what was unfolding in front of him . Vincent tilted his head , looking at Marco with mock amusement . " Now , " he said , his voice dark and clear , " she's my bride . " 87.65 %