I move away from the window and head to find my mother.
I’m not even down the hallway when a staff member spots me and gestures wildly. “Miss Victoria, this way.”
“I don’t—wait—” My voice cracks as he shepherds me like a stray cat. “I don’t understand what is happening.”
He doesn’t answer. He just escorts me down the hall and pushes open the door to the study.
My mother is inside.
She looks like a mess, which doesn’t at all match her outfit of silk. Her hair is frizzy, her makeup is smudged, and her eyes are swollen.
Tired. She looks utterly exhausted.
“What—what is going on?” I blurt, stumbling backward.
“We’re preparing for a wedding, Victoria.”
The word punches me straight in the chest.
I stand there frozen, trying not to hyperventilate. “I-I didn’t approve any of this.”
Her eyebrows lift like she finds that adorable. Ice slides through my veins.
She presses her fingers to her temples, and I continue to stare at her.
“Mom.” My voice cracks. “Tell me you didn’t actually agree to this. I know the other day, Father said yes, but I thought—” What the hell did I think? I knew Lorenzo meant business. “I thought you would put him off, stretch it out until we could figure out another way.”
She stiffens, and my throat tightens. Her eyes close for a second and then reopen. “We had no choice.”
The words hit like a blade. This is really happening.
I step back. “There is always a choice.”
“Not anymore.” Her voice breaks. “Your father tried, but Lorenzo—he has everything. Believe me, your father was up all night. He’s tried everything. But Lorenzo didn’t leave us any other choice. If we don’t do this—”
“Ifwedon’t?” My breath catches. “Don’t you mean ifIdon’t?”
She flinches.
I want to scream. Or cry. Or tear wallpaper off the walls.
But instead, I inhale through my teeth and whisper, “You sold me off.”
She reaches for me, pretending like she cares, but I know it’s a lie. She just needs me to fall into line.
A knock interrupts us.
A middle-aged woman walks in, carrying a few dress bags.
She beams at me. “Hello, time for gown fittings.”
I want to vomit.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s make you a princess.”
I can’t move at first. Then I do.
I’m numb to the world and currently being dragged to God knows where to try on gowns.How is this my life?
