Page 32 of His Cursed Heart

I will walk down the aisle with my father who will be so happy to give me away. I will marry the man who ruined everything.

I look at my final figure and my breath is gone. I look…not like me.

Some years ago, I was sure that I will never marry, and now I’m going to tie my life with my sister’s fiancé.

How many times have me and Keres talked about marriage? She was always so excited to be my maid of honor, to see me in a wedding dress and escape the home my father tried so hard to destroy.

“Are you ready, honey?” I hear Vivian’s soft voice.

No, but it’s not like it matters.

“Can I do something before?” I don’t need her permission, but she really tries to make me as comfortable as she can. She nods quickly and I bend to

take my dress in my hands so that I don’t trip while walking.

I exit my room and I’m heading towards the room that is forbidden to enter. The room that holds to many memories, a place that my father still can’t step in.

“Althea, wait!” I turn to see Venus running towards me. “I think you need this.” She holds a key out.

The key to her room.

“How did you know?”

“I know you better than anyone, and I had a feeling that you wanted to talk with her.” I nod slowly and rush to the room.

With trembling hands, I turn the key in the door and open it wide. Her familiar smell is invading my nose and I feel how my heart beats too hard.

I close the door and I look over her things. Everything looks clean, like she still lives here. The fake purple flowers that are standing right next to her bed, because everything I loved, she did the same. Her dresses are still in the closet.

Papa didn’t throw anything.

What steals my attention is the little altar with candles that sits right on her makeup table. The picture that holds her a prisoner there is a bit broken at the edges.

The black hair, brown eyes, her big full lips and brownish skin.

Gianna Marie Luciano.

My mother.

The only woman who had my father in a dog collar.

As much as I want her to be right next to me, I'm much happier that she had the chance to escape.

"Do you think Papa will let me stay home?" I ask Mamma while she waters her flowers.

Tomorrow is Papa's birthday and he's hosting a party in one of the most expensive restaurant in Italy. All of his friends are coming, and like in every year, they will get drunk and get aggressive.

"Your Papa wants you there with him, amor." I roll my eyes at Mamma's words. Papa probably wishes to get rid of me without hurting Mamma and Keres.

"But he let Keres stay." I say and I drop my head, looking at the green grass.

"Your sister is busy with her exams."

"Sure." Keres is in her last year of high school and she uses the exams as excuse every time there is an event.

I hear Mamma sigh and she comes besides me on the swing. She takes my hands in hers and makes me look at her.

She is so beautiful that even at her age, people are staring at her like she is an angel.

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