“Why?”
“Because I just… knew. We weren’t the right fit.”
I cling to my fork as if that will somehow protect me. “But you’re going to marry me. How do you know we’re the right fit? You’re only marrying me to get back at my brother.”
“Because from the first second I saw you, I knew you had to be mine. So I will make us fit.”
Through force. Violence. This is the kind of man I will be married to. And there’s no stopping it.
Once we finish breakfast, Ian drives me to the church where I’ll get ready to be married. I’m led into a room off to the side of the main chapel where I can change into my dress. I’m all alone, for which I’m grateful.
The dress fits perfectly. No need for any modifications.
My hair on the other hand…
I notice a small vanity table with a brush on it. I try to make my hair look good – though why I’m not sure. It’s not like I care about today. In fact, I don’t want today to happen at all. But it is happening and for some reason, I want to look good. I want my hair to match my dress.
So, I style it in a simple updo. Nothing major. Classic and elegant to match the dress.
When I step back to look myself over, I’m amazed at how pretty I look. How womanly.
My chest pangs though at the idea that Dimitri won’t be here today. Won’t walk me down the aisle.
Which only leads to thoughts of my father, who will never walk me down the aisle – not that I would have wanted him to.
Panic rips its way right through me. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. Before I know it, I’m on my knees, sucking in air. The image of my father stabbing my mother still haunts me every day. Will it ever stop?
The door opens and in walks Nina and Susanna. At least it’s not Alek. I can’t deal with him right now.
“Seriously,” Susanna says, her voice dripping with revulsion, “what is wrong with you? You’re always freaking out.”
“I can’t,” I whisper. “I can’t do this”
“Alek is waiting in the church for you,” Nina says, her tone not as acidic at Susanna’s. “You’re just going to stand him up?”
“He’s making me do this. He kidnapped me.”
Susanna rolls her eyes. “This again. You really need to stop with this narrative. It’s getting ridiculous.”
“It really is,” Nina agrees.
“We all know that you’re a gold digging whore who’s marrying Alek for his money. You met him in a day and decided to make your move. You’ll get no sympathy from me.”
Susanna’s words cut me right to the core. Never in my life has anyone said anything so mean to me before. It makes me break down into tears.
“Get yourself together,” Nina says. “Alek is waiting for you. He sent us in here to get you. So come on.”
Susanna claps her hands together. “Chop, chop.”
They’re not going to leave. Alek will storm inside this room to get me if I don’t come out. So, I have no choice but to force my tears to stop and stand up.
Susanna eyes me over. “You know, I think you’re dress needs some fixing.”
“What do you mean?” I whisper.
Without a word, she grabs the off-the-shoulder strap and tears it right off, ripping part of the dress.
I stumble back with a gasp.
