"A person's rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use." - Pope John Paul II

Unedited

[Yvonne's POV]

No matter how you hide the truth, it will and always will come out, one way or another.

Today we are going to hear the verdict.

Lucio stood as the witness and confessed that he had seen Flavio De Rossi intentionally pushed Lucas De Rossi off the twenty floor building after a heated argument. And then he came to threatened him and his family if he appeared to witness.

Flavio never said anything against it. He admitted he did and the whole trial process was all too easy.

On the other row, stood Amelia and her two daughters Vanessa and Karina.

Mom, Gabriela, Demetrio and I was seating on the other row, anxiously waiting for the jury to read the verdict.

The jury deliberated the verdict for almost fifteen hours.

I was holding mom's hand for support. My heart was pounding loudly for I've been waiting for this day to come.

When we reopened the case and the court accepted it, Demetrio surprised me by picking up my family and brought it here in Brazil. The whole time of the trial, mom hasn't stop crying.

I haven't seen avo the whole time I was in Brazil. He never showed up and I was wondering now why? I hated him, but I'm still wondering why his favorite son whom I knew he adored, he never showed up for support.

The Jury foreperson stood before us and started reading the verdict.

My eyes was starting to welled as the the words slowly sinking in my head. Flavio was found guilty of first-degree murder, with the first-degree murder conviction carries a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

When the verdict was read a gasp in the courtroom was heard as Vanessa and Karina covered their faces and cried. Amelia's face was hard to read.

Flavio was looking zoned out and he was staring at Amelia with fondness and at the same time, bitterness.. A lot of emotions swirling around him.

Mom and Gabriela silently shed tears and I wipe my eyes holding back the tears. My heart was too heavy with all this emotions flooding me.

Just as the police handcuffs uncle Flavio, a thundering voice walked into the court room. Everyone gasp and looked on the direction, where my grandfather walked in looking better than I first saw him. He was wearing his cane, but he looks stronger than before.

"Why are you doing this son? Why are you taking the blame and trying to cover all this unlawful actions of your wife? Amelia did it! Why don't you tell them that your wicked wife killed your brother. Amelia also tried to slowly poisoned me. I didn't tell you, because I was waiting for the right time. And, I've waited enough." Avo proclaimed in pure distaste as he looked at Amelia's direction with scornful eyes.

"He's insane. He's sick!" Amelia pointed to Avo's direction. Mom, I and Gabriela was frozen and couldn't believe what we just heard.

The people and jury gasped and Amelia started to yell and screamed, acting like a sick woman. The police restrained her when she tried to leave the courtroom and dragged her back inside.

Avo motioned one of his securities and we just realized, Joselito was holding a bag.

When the police officer dumped the bag, it was the clothes of the man who pushed my dad off the building, and wig and some other accessories.

"That is the clothes I found in her closet the next day my son died." Just as Amelia saw the proof, she screamed and admitted the crime. Telling that she hated Lucas and his family, that her husband is a stupid to let his brother shared half of the company if he could have the whole company for himself, so she planned it, killing Lucas, making it like an accident.

The whole crowd gasped and the police officer released Flavio who was still looking not himself and they took Amelia, still hysterical and fighting with the police officers.

Mom was trembling, but she managed to walked closer to avo.

Gabriela was holding mom and Demetrio was holding me supporting me the whole time. Vanessa and Karina left their dad, shooting us a vindictive glare.

"I'm sorry. I should have done this before, but Amelia is a sly woman. Everything went wrong. I wouldn't have lost my son.. Amelia slowly poisoned me and thanks God, I was transferred to a nursing home and I slowly recuperated and the doctor who had been attending me was very honest and caring. For two longs years, I gained back my health." Avo cried and pulled mom for a hug, then we all hug him.

----

[Demetrio's POV]

The drama in the courtroom gained attention to the whole Brasilia. When we all walked out the court, a bunch of reporters swarmed around the exit of the building waiting for us. My securities blocked them as we were all escorted to the awaiting limo.

Yvonne was very quiet the whole time, while Gabriela and her mom was very emotional. It was heartbreaking.

Flavio was still held in the prison for a two years sentence for threatening Lucio's life and as accessories to Amelia.

The limo slowly move and blend with the other traffic.

"Thank you." Yvonne murmured and I just smiled and pulled her head to my chest and pressed my lips to her head tenderly.

I'll do anything for her.

"I love you!" I murmured back and she looked up.

"I love you too." She replied cracking a half-smile. I kissed her lips briefly.

Yvonne's grandpa made a fake couch which made us looked at him in confusion.

He glared at me and my eyebrows furrowed.

"I know we owned a lot from you, Mr. Pallos, but that doesn't mean I have to let you get your way with my grand daughter." he raised his eyebrow and stared at me deeply.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I-"

"Call me avo. You are going to marry my grandchild, isn't it Mr. Pallos?" he stated bluntly, with his not leaving me.

I was never intimidated with someone, but with Yvonne's granddad, I felt intimidated. The old man stared at me like a prey.

"Avo!" Yvonne glared at him but the old man just chuckled.

"Yes, avo. I just proposed to her and we were planning to prepare the wedding soon, since the trial is over." I explained briefly as I looked at Yvonne and her eyes was wide.

"Great. I want the wedding in my mansion. I would pay everything, I just want my granddaughter wedding in my place." he negotiated. His eyes was shining with happiness.

"Then, the wedding will be held in your mansion, avo." I agreed. Yvonne just nod at me and smiled as he mouth thank you.

---

[Yvonne's POV]

Two days after the trials the wedding was set in two months, after avo learned that I'm pregnant. He wanted the wedding soon before my belly grew bigger.

Everybody was scrambling to get everything ready. The flowers, the arrangement in the garden since it's going to be a garden wedding, the food, the band, the presider, the bridesmaids.

Shelly with her daughter Shaina, and Demetrio's parents Shanti and Antoniou was there too. Shelly helped me with choosing my wedding dress.

The whole time she was with me she was very thoughtful and sweet.

Some of Demetrio's relatives was present too and happy that finally Demetrio is settling down.

Today, everyone was happy that everything is all ready for tomorrow's wedding.

Demetrio is with his family in one of their hotels not farther from the estate.

Vanessa and Karina after a month, they apologized and we forgave them. They didn't do anything and they still our cousin.

Vanessa was only here for the wedding and she will be moving to London and face her career. Karina was also moving to New York to start her new life.

The whole time, nobody talk about the death of my father and about Flavio and Amelia. Obviously, everyone is avoiding the topic.

Avo looks stronger each day. The cane he was using was gone and now looking more energetic than before.

He admitted to us that he's dating his doctor, doctor Scarlett who was sixty five years old. Grandpa was in his mid seventies.

After dinner, everyone settled in the big balcony as we all enjoyed our wines.

Mom is sitting beside Gabriela. I was seated beside Karina and Vanessa beside Karina. Avo was sitting beside Scarlett.

We watch the night as we all chatted about anything.

"Have you and Demetrio decided where to go on honeymoon after the wedding?" Scarlett asked looking at me with twinkling eyes.

"Not really. I don't know what his plan yet." I replied truthfully. The thought of honeymoon made my whole body flustered. I held the flush that's creeping up over my cheeks.

"Oh.. You two will make a really cute babies." Scarlett chucked as she sip her wine.

"Oh they will do." Avo agreed.

The flush finally made it's way to my cheeks, feeling burned from the embarrassment I felt.

"So what's your plan in New York, Karina?" Avo asked Karina. She looks unsure.

"Look for a job, avo." she replied warily.

"Just let me know if you need a help." avo nodded his head and place his wine on his lips and sipped. Karina just nodded and forced a smile.

"When are you going to settle down too, Vanessa?" avo asked nonchalantly, swirling his glass gently.

"I'm not ready for marriage yet, avo." she replied tersely, avoiding avo's eyes. Avo nodded.

Avo's eyes shifted to mom. Mom was fiddling with the stem of her wineglass. She looks a little better now and contented.

"Alexia and Gabriela, I want you to come and live with me here. This place is too big for only me to live." avo's eyes softened, begging for mom and my sister.

"I would love too, papa. But, mom and dad is getting weaker each day." mom replied in an apologetic voice.

"You can ask them to live with us. The more the merrier." avo commented smiling brightly.

"That's a great idea." Scarlett concurred nodding her head in agreement.

"I'll talk to them first, papa." mom bobbed her head, and she smiled.

The night went by smoothly, and Scarlett left. Everyone made their way to their own room and mom slept with me. She was very emotional before she finally went to bed. It was almost ten-thirty.

I took my phone and tiptoed out of my room, pacing to the hallway silently as I dialled Demetrio's number. I didn't see him today and most of the time we are preparing for this wedding.

I wanted to hear his voice before I will go to bed.

After a couple of rings, the call connected.

"Hi." I began as my heart pounding loudly. I missed him terribly.

"Hi. How was your day?" he asked in his sad tone.

"Fine. I missed you." I blurted out. I could feel my heart hammering loudly and I'm close to tears. The days we haven't seen each other feels like years to me and my heart grew heavy each time I thought about him.

"I missed you too. I was thinking to sneak out and see you. Meet me outside the gate of the estate. I'll come and see you." Demetrio's whispered excitedly.

"Ok." I replied. Excitement flooded within me. I ended the call and I didn't bother to change. I was wearing a thin silk nightgown. I just went back to my room to grab a robe.

Not long, I was sneaking out of the door. I walked with a spring under my sole to the gate. The anticipation to see him is getting more exciting each second.

"Por que ainda está acordada Ms Yvonne?" (Why are you still up, Ms. Yvonne?) Joselito came out from the guard house and approach me with curiosity and confusion. He looks surprised to see me walking at night with just my flip flops and robe.

"Demetrio esqueceu de me dar algo . Ele vai cair rapidamente. Eu não quero acordar todos na mansão , então eu vou encontrá-lo fora . Vai ser rápido." (Demetrio forgot to give me something. He will drop it quickly. I don't want to wake up everyone in the mansion so I'll meet him outside. It will be quick.) I replied hoping he'll buy it.

Joselito looks unconvinced but he just nodded his head anyways. He opened the gate and I walked out, after I told him that I will come back in a bit.

He just nods and went back to his position, leaving the gate open.

I quickly walked out the ironworks gate and didn't see Demi's car.

After a while, when I almost gave up, I saw his limo slowly moving to the side of the empty road and I suddenly felt exuberant. I clutch my robe as I felt the chilly breeze whipping onto my exposed skin as I strutted to the limo's direction a bit farther from the gate.

The door quickly opened and Demetrio climbed out swiftly and he pulled me to his chest and swept me off my feet and spun me around.

I squealed softly and I giggled.

"God, I missed you!" he uttered deeply, as he put me back down on my feet. My hands is clinging around his neck like a vine.

"You don't have any idea how I missed you everyday." I said as I pouted.

"If I knew we had to suffer this much, I would have just marry you in Las Vegas. Less stress and I don't have to get tortured." he whined.

I chuckled.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow will be the last day to be away from you. From then on, we will be together always." I smiled and I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him boldly.

He groaned and before I knew it, we were inside the limo cuddling and making out. The partition closed and we took our time, kissing and familiarizing ourselves again with our bodies.

"I'd love to take you here, moro mou, but it will take us time. Besides you need to have a good sleep, for tomorrow night, you will not going to sleep..." Demetrio grinned mischievously as he run his hands on my back to my thighs. I could feel his erection but he was holding it.

I grinned.

"Ok."

"I love you, babe." I uttered passionately as I kissed him again.

"I love you more, moro mou! I can't wait for tomorrow. You will be Mrs. Pallos." he grinned boyishly as he gave me a lopsided grin.

"I can't wait either." I grinned.

"Ok. I'll go before mom realized I'm not in bed." I said and gave him another lingering kiss before climbing out of the limo. Joselito probably be wondering what took me so long.

Demetrio groaned before he lets me go.

After another kiss, finally I was off his hold and I walk back to the gate. Joselito didn't say anything as I strode back to the mansion, feeling happy.

The day had arrived.

"Relax sweetheart. You look absolutely stunning.." Mom murmured and I smiled.

The dress I and Shelly picked was definitely an eye catcher.

A strapless organza wedding dress with chapel train, that floated down the white carpeted aisle in captivating strapless fantasy organza and lace, with a modified A-line gown. Sparkling crystal hand-beading, trims the draped organza architectural sweetheart bust line. The lace appliqués, adorned the dropped waist bodice, spilling onto the softly pleated skirt, highlighted by a gentle scattering of sequins and crystals.

I unconsciously smiled as the thought Shelly squealed in excitement when she saw this dress wore by the mannequins. We both instantly fell in love.

My zoned out thoughts was dragged back to reality when the music started and I was starting to break out cold sweats. My heart is racing rapidly.

My bridesmaids marched next and I waited until I was next.

I can't see Demetrio from where I'm standing since I was between a big two bushes. The path was curvy before I could reach where Demetrio is standing.

Mom and Avo was smiling at me sweetly. Mom's eyes was already bloodshot from crying since last night. She was very emotional.

"Let's go, neta." avo smiled and we started marching slowly. Not long, I saw Demetrio looking so perfect, and ever handsome in his white tuxedo and white shoes. With his signature tousled hair, he looks magnificent and sexy.

I'm marrying a greek-god. I grinned inwardly.

As I marched through the white carpet covered with petals, the guest on my peripheral vision just dissipated and all I could see at the moment was Demetrio smiling widely, with his eyes staring at me with adoration and full of love.

Avo and mom gave my hand to him, then congratulated him and they all shook hands.. Everything went so fast, or I was just too zoned out the whole time since my eyes and head was blur and was clouded with the thoughts of me and Demetrio together.

The presider kept rambling on and on until we had our vows.

When Demetrio's vows comes, everyone listened intently with their faces full of smiles.

"I Demetrio Pallos, will take you Athena Yvonne De Rossi as my wife. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, you had claimed my heart. We had been into many trials and we had succeeded it. I knew I had found my match, my partner in crime, my friend, the mother of my children and my love, through thick and thin, I will forever give you my heart and rest assured to love you until my last breath." he declared as he stared into my eyes deeply. I felt all that emotions as he uttered those vows and my heart fluttered with proud. He slid the ring onto my finger and I said my vows next.

I was staring at him the whole time, pouring all my emotions onto it as I said my vows. " I promised to stand firm beside you, .... because I believe we are stronger together than we are apart that we can grow more with our intellect, our compassion, and in our faith together than we are alone. ....I promise to be a faithful wife to you and to cherish you and give you all my heart and love you to all eternity."

A lone tear escape my eyes as I slid the ring onto his finger. Everyone applause after the declaration of vows.

The presider smiled and he shifted his eyes on both of us.

"By the power vested on my, I declared you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The presider declared and Demetrio grinned broadly and he quickly swept me off my feet and kissed me feverishly, ignoring the hoots and cheers of the crowds.

"You look so stunning Mrs. Pallos. I'm so lucky to finally call you mine completely. I love you!" Demetrio grinned wolfishly. I could see lust and love in his eyes, matching mine.

"I felt the same, Mr. Pallos. Now, it's going to be only me!" I said sweetly with a warning.

He grinned. "Yes, master!"

I kissed him once more, before we are swept over to the reception hall.

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A/N: Sorry, I was called to work today. So, the update is late.

I'll write the epilogue tomorrow after work..

Thank you for the constant support.

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