Page 1 of Shattered Vows

Chapter

One

RAPSODY

This is not how I imagined my wedding.

I thought I’d be marrying a man I loved. I would look at my reflection in the mirror, tearing up as I placed my veil on because it was the happiest day of my life. I wouldn’t hold any frayed nerves that needed calming because I was certain of my choice and ready to take the leap of faith to my happily ever after.

Instead, I’m completely alone in a dingy room in the church, staring at my reflection, struggling to pin my veil into place. It took me long enough to secure my long blond hair into an updo. I’m not undoing all that hard work.

Alistair may not be my soulmate, but I do love him as a person and a friend. Even if I’m not madly in love with him, he represents something I value more than love—freedom.

When he asked me to marry him, I was honest and told him that I wasn’t head over heels for him, but he insisted that was okay. He said that in time, I’d grow to love him, and I possessed qualities he wanted in a wife—respectful, supportive, and devoted.

If he knew the truth—that attending church was a way to force my mom to let me out of the apartment and have some semblance of a life—I’m not sure he’d feel that way. And if he ever knew the thoughts that race through my head late at night when I’m alone in bed, he definitely wouldn’t feel that way.

Which is why I might throw up all over the ordinary white gown. What if I’m not what he wants after we’re married? What if trying to conform to what he wants is more stifling than living under my mother’s oppressive reign?

I squeeze my eyes shut. I’m a terrible daughter for having these thoughts after everything she gave up for me. Sucking in a deep breath, I open my eyes.

No. I can’t think like that. It’s normal to be scared on your wedding day. Everyone talks about cold feet. It’s just that, what others experience before committing themselves to someone for the rest of their life.

Then why don’t I feel scared…

Nope.

That too is something I can’t think about. Not if I want to make it through today.

Today I’m going to marry an honest and righteous man who will never hurt me. Who will never lie to me. The life he’ll give me is more than I ever hoped for, and I should be grateful.

“Let me do it.”

I startle, glancing up through the mirror. My mother is at the door.

I turn to face her. The moment I do, the same guilt plagues me since I said yes to Alistair’s proposal.

Her dark-brown eyes gaze at me with reproach and a hint of disdain.

“Thank you,” I whisper, holding the veil out to her. I turn so my back is to her, watching in the mirror as she secures it in my hair.

“There’s still time to change your mind,” she says.

My shoulders slump. Not this again.

“Mom…” I face her and take her hands.

Tears build in her eyes as she looks at me with desperation.

“Alistair will be good to me. He’s a good man.”

Her sadness transforms into irritation, and she rolls her eyes. “You don’t have any idea what men are capable of. Look at what?—”

“I don’t want to talk about that. Not today.” I’m quick to cut her off, a rarity for me.

“Of course you don’t. Because then you’d have to consider that you don’t know everything and that you’ve put yourself in danger before.”

“Alistair is different. He’s?—”

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