Page 75 of The Favorite Girl

FORTY-FOUR

The rest of the time spent at the bridal boutique was abnormally… normal. I tried on multiple veils, and Daphne let me choose the one I wanted. She said my jewelry would be gifted family heirlooms, and beyond that, I had nothing else to worry about since everything would be arranged. I was getting married. Out of everything I had endured at the Ivory house, getting married seemed like the least problematic.

I had come to a full circle of accepting that this was what I had to do. The options were clear, and if I wanted to live, then it meant living a life chosen for me.

We returned to the estate, but I didn’t take my eyes off the windows once. I loved watching the sunlight shimmer through the dense oak trees that lined the pathway to hell.

“Mrs—” I stared, but she quickly cut me off.

“Mother,” Mrs. Ivory filled in.

Clearing my throat, I relaxed my shoulders. “Mother, I was wondering if I could invite Raina and her family to the wedding.”

It pained me that Raina was in on this sickness. There was no coincidence she was driving around on the bad side of town, picking me up with her toddler son in the car.

“And her family?” Mrs. Ivory crossed her arms next to me as the driver pulled into the winding driveway.

“Yes, her husband Jax and her son Kai?” My eyebrows furrowed as she pinched her lips to the side.

“Oh, I thought someone had already told you now that you just… know all the family secrets.” She tugged out a tube of the nude lipstick that was the only shade we’d been allowed to wear.

Sliding it over her lips, she smacked them together. “Sure, we’ll invite them.” She smiled at me maliciously. The driver opened the door for us, and we headed back inside. I glanced over my shoulder, wondering how far I’d make it if I made a dash for it? How easily they’d capture me, and how quickly they’d throw me into the colorless, soundless, torture rooms they lovingly called cages?

Once inside, Mrs. Ivory directed me to head to my room and rest since the wedding was tomorrow evening.

“I thought it was Friday?” I looked at her stunned.

“No. Plans have changed. Your IUD will be removed today, and then tomorrow is the wedding. You and Conrad are set to leave for your honeymoon on Friday.”

My heart pounded as she watched me walk toward my room—well, Bradley’s old room.

I slid my card in front of the panel outside of Bradley’s room. It opened immediately, and I cautiously walked in. Blinking repeatedly, I flipped the light on and looked around. Not a trace of blood. Where did they put Becca’s body? The chill in the room hung over me as I unzipped the all-white jumpsuit and slid the flats off. It was the first time I hadn’t worn the ridiculous platform shoes.

Opening the closet, I squatted down and tugged out the box of Nike Air Jordans that Bradley got me. I missed him so much. Sliding my feet into them, I stood and put my hands on my hips and admired them.

The greatest part of this wedding was that I’d get to see Bradley. Yet, the worst thing was also that he was going to see me marry Conrad. I didn’t know much about healthy relationships; I didn’t know what love was since I’d clearly never experienced it. But the emotions I felt for Bradley were something unlike any others I’d experienced.

And now, I was going to marry a monster. A monster who raped a woman in front of me. A monster who was providing return receipts for human beings. A monster I’d have to pretend everything was okay with.

Peeling back the blankets, I climbed into the bed. Closing my eyes, a tear escaped as I remembered Bradley’s touch in this bed and suddenly, I realized I had to figure out a way to make myself bleed tomorrow night…

If I didn’t bleed on our wedding night, he’d cage me. He’d kill me. And worst of all, he’d kill Bradley.

I fell asleep with nothing but my bra, panties, and sneakers on. Some people struggled to sleep—it was an issue with control often times—but that wasn’t the case for me. In my entire life, the only place I could ever truly feel safe was in my sleep.

Cold fingers raked against my stomach, and I abruptly jerked upright, gasping into the darkness.

“Who’s there?” I swatted at the figure in front of me.

A small lighter flicked on between our faces.

Trembling and falling backward, I saw it was Ian Ivory. I grabbed the blanket around me, drawing it up higher to cover my body.

“Please leave,” I whimpered, hating the weakness my voice so easily depicted.

“Sweet daughter, I’m here to remove your IUD. Our in-house expert is off today. And tomorrow, my son must… well, soil such a perfect, pure flower.” He brushed his hand against my cheek as the flicker of the flame outlined his ominous sneer.

“No. You… Conrad wouldn’t want his dad to do that.” I swallowed and pushed back, but I could barely move since Ian was pressing his hands against my legs.

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