Page 21 of Biker Bride (Hell on Heelz MC)

Vivian took notice of my words and sat a bit straighter.

“A fern farm?” Melissa echoed, her tone mocking. “How quaint.”

Vince squeezed my hand under the table, a silent warning to keep my cool. “Sybil is quite the botanist,” he said smoothly. “She has a real talent for it.”

I nodded, grateful for his support.

Vivian spoke up, “This business with the wedding. Is it still on?”

Raising her drink to her lips, Claire muttered, “Or is it canceled like the last one?”

There were a couple of chuckles around the room. I looked to Vince, and his sister spoke. “Oh, does Sybil not know about all the others?”

Her husband, Richard, laughed. “Our boy Vince has tried to tie the knot a few times, since he’s the golden child. The one destined to become the head of the family according to dear ol’ granddad. Their grandfather has dementia, so he doesn’t know what a failure Vincent is when it comes to love.”

Claire was trying to stop her husband from saying anything more, but he went on. “I hope you know you are Vince’s ticket to having it all.”

Vince spoke up. “She knows.”

Harold spoke, his voice deep and resonating through the room. “Atta, boy. Told you to find someone who wanted a piece of the pie. Never marry for love.”

I opened my mouth to tell them all we were in love, but Vince stopped me.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of forced smiles and thinly veiled insults. By the time it was over, I was exhausted and ready to escape.

As we headed back to our room, Vince was quiet. Once inside, I kicked off my heels and let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that was fun.”

Vince didn’t respond, just started undressing for bed. I watched him, wondering what was going on in his mind. He seemed so different here, like the pressure of his family’s expectations was crushing him.

I changed into my nightgown and climbed into bed, striving to understand everything. This was going to be harder than I thought. Vince climbed in beside me, his back turned.

“Goodnight, Sybil,” he said quietly.

“Goodnight, Vince.”

As I lay there in the dark, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was in way over my head. But I was determined to play my part, no matter what.

Chapter 15

The week at Hartwood Manor felt like an eternity. Vince's family was a nightmare to deal with. His mother, Vivian, was cold and judgmental, always looking down her nose at me. Harold was no better, grunting disapproval at everything I did. Claire and Melissa, Vince's sister and her friend, were the worst, constantly making snide comments and treating me like dirt.

Vince barely spoke to me in private, and in public, he was just going through the motions. We put on a good show for his family, holding hands and sharing polite smiles, but behind closed doors, he was distant and cold. It was driving me insane. I needed an outlet for my frustration, and I found it in subtle acts of rebellion.

Every chance I got, I would sneak into different rooms and break their shit. Nothing too obvious at first. I'd smash a vase here, crack a picture frame there. It gave me a sick sense of satisfaction, knowing I was causing chaos in their perfect little world.

One night, after a particularly grueling dinner where Melissa had been especially vicious, I decided enough was enough. I waited until the house was quiet, everyone asleep, then I crept into Melissa's room. She was snoring softly, her perfect blonde hair splayed out on the pillow.

With a wicked grin, I pulled out a pair of scissors and started cutting. Chunk after chunk of her hair fell to the floor. I was almost done when she stirred, waking up with a start.

"What the hell?!" she screamed, grabbing at her head.

I stood over her, the scissors still in my hand. "Consider this payback, bitch," I snarled.

Melissa lunged at me, and we tumbled to the floor, clawing and hitting each other. “You jealous, bitch. Did you find out I’m the first one who left Vince at the altar? He only brings you dogs here to make me jealous.”

The noise brought Vince running. He burst into the room, his face a mask of shock and anger.

"Sybil, what the fuck are you doing?!" he shouted, pulling me off Melissa.

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