Tyler’s mouth opens and closes. He sighs and then looks down. He shakes his head, but he doesn’t deny it.
Something in me finally cracks. Like a snap, as if a taut wire is being cut. I’m vibrating with fury and it takes everything in me to remain seated, seeing this betrayal to the end.
“You were going to marry me today,” I say quietly.
He nods. “Yes.”
Unbelievable.
“And after today?” I ask, trying to understand. “Were you planning to stop sleeping with my sister?”
He hesitates. I knew it. I just wanted confirmation for closure.
I smooth my veil and straighten my shoulders.
I’m done.
And then my father appears in the doorway. “Everything okay in here?” He glances between the three of us and his eyes land back on me, searching for a clue as to why the tension is so thick in this room right now.
“I’m not getting married,” I say resolutely.
My father frowns, confusion marring his classically handsome face. “I don’t understand.”
“You do.” I lift my chin. “I’m not getting married.”
“Silvie, there are hundreds of people out there,” he hisses, shock mixed with panic transforming his features. He glances at the hallway and back at us. “We don’t have time for this nonsense.”
That’s exactly what this is.
Nonsense.
Our mother joins us. Her dress is almost as fancy as mine. In fact, as if coming out of a fog, I realize it’s awfully close to white in color.Well, it’s her day after all, I laugh to myself.
I can’t believe I let it all get this far.
There was something inside me screaming to make it stop and I let it go on.
No more.
She shakes her head disapprovingly. “It is almost time. What are you all doing in here? Why are they saying that you’re all arguing? We need to get ready.”
I meet her gaze and say calmly, “Tyler’s been sleeping with Belladonna.”
The room explodes at my words. Voices rise. My dad looks livid. My mother’s face tightens with calculation rather than concern. I watch her closely, and it dawns on me that she possibly might’ve have already known, judging by her reaction.
She’s not outraged. She’s doing damage control.
The betrayal cuts deeper.
Belladonna collapses into a chair, making a shrill, dramatic sound, reminding me of when she was a toddler. Tyler reaches for me, and I jerk my hand back.
“Don’t touch me,” I hiss and shudder, repulsed by him.
“Silvie,” my mother says sharply. “We can handle this later. The guests are all seated. We’re about to begin.”
I stare at her and can’t believe she has nothing else to say or to worry about besides the guests. That is her reaction to my sister and my fiancé having an affair. And the fact that she thinks we can ‘handle’ this laterafterwe’re married is insane. Literally insane.
This is the moment. The one I’ll think about for years to come. The one where I decide whether I stay exactly where I am and who I am,or change. And I’m choosing me this time. I won’t live like this, with these people. I realize everything I was working toward is no longer happening. The fog has lifted and I can finally see it for what it is.
