Page 2 of All The Pretty Little Lies

I observe the exchange between them, feeling like a mere spectator in my own life. The weight of my family's expectations hangs heavy on my shoulders, suffocating any semblance of choice or autonomy. I steal a glance at Oscar, wondering what thoughts are running through his mind.

My father gestures for Oscar to take a seat once more, his piercing gaze never leaving him.

"Let's get straight to the point. Your uncle, Victor, and I have been working towards an agreement that would be mutually beneficial to both the Rossi’s and the Petrov’s.”

I feel a knot form in the pit of my stomach as I anticipate the direction this conversation is heading. My fate is slipping further out of my control with each passing moment. I struggle to keep my emotions in check, my heart racing as the weight of my father's words begin to crush me. If Oscar is here, it means only one thing. My Father has chosen a Petrov as my husband. Only one comes to mind, and the thought terrifies me.

Oscar's expression remains unreadable, his eyes briefly meet mine before returning to my father. His silence speaks volumes, a veil of mystery shrouding his thoughts and intentions.

"This arrangement will solidify the bond between our families for generations to come.”

Oscar nods in understanding, though a flicker of something unreadable crosses his eyes. “I am here to honor my family's commitments.” His voice is steady, betraying none of his thoughts swirling beneath the surface.

My father's gaze lingers on Oscar for a moment before he turns to me, a glint of expectation in his eyes. “And you, Vesper. Do you understand the significance of this union and what it means for our family?”

I swallow hard, steeling myself against the overwhelming tide of emotions threatening to consume me. “Yes, Father. I understand,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “I accept my duty.”

A heavy silence descends upon the room once more, punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock. The weight of my impending future hangs over me like a shroud, snuffing out any semblance of control I had over my life.

"Good,” he smiles. “With the Rossi’s and Petrovs in alliance, no one will be able to touch us. This alliance will solidify both sides of the world with a single vow.” My father nearly glows with his delight. Everything that he has wanted will be at his fingertips the second he binds me to the Petrovs. His dream becomes my nightmare.

“When is the wedding?” my mother asks from behind us. “Preparations will need to be made for the ceremony.”

“A week,” he answers flatly. “Out of respect for your education, your future father-in-law has allowed you until your graduation day to fulfill your obligation.”

A gasp escapes my lips. My father’s eyes narrow in the rare break of my calm outward demure. A break that I may pay for later.

A week? That’s all that I am allowed to come to terms with this arrangement. That’s all the time I’m given until my life as I know it ends.

The words hang heavy in the air, sealing my fate with an irrevocable finality that sends a chill down my spine. I glance at Oscar and catch a brief glimpse of the whirlwind of emotions raging behind his cool facade. His eyes meet mine for a fleeting moment, a silent understanding passing between us.

“A week isn’t much time,” my mother remarks. “There’s much to do.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he flatly answers.

“Father, am I permitted to ask a question?”

“Ask,” he declares.

“Why is Oscar here instead of Dmitri?”

“As Dmitri is still abroad, and will be until your wedding day, his father has appointed Oscar and his brother, Zaire, to be your guardians until you are handed off to your husband. They will also be joining your security detail at school.”

I steel myself against the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me, forcing a mask of stoicism over my features. With a barely perceptible nod, I acknowledge my father's decree, knowing that resistance would be futile. My destiny has been written in stone, and I am but a puppet.

VESPER

After my fatherescorts Oscar away to celebrate with a cigar, my mother immediately ushers me back into the confines of my room where I am to wait for further instructions. The door closes behind her with a resounding thud, and I slump against it, forcing back the tears until I can no longer hear my mother's heels echoing in the distance.

I can’t breathe.I can’t fucking breathe.

I force myself from the floor. Without a second thought, I rush towards my balcony door, throwing it open, and feel the cool night air kiss my skin. My lungs heave, as I rest my arms onthe balcony railing, gazing out into the darkness that surrounds the vast estate like a dense fog, desperately trying to focus on my breathing. The stars above me twinkle and mock my situation with their effortless beauty. They have no worries about where to go or what to wear, they simply shine day and night until their light eventually fades away in a dazzling finale. To be free like that, be able to glimmer in the night sky without a care in the world, seems like an impossible dream. Yet, it's one I would give anything to have at this moment.

Dmitri Petrov is not only dangerous, but he is also my future husband. Any morsel of hope I had that my own father would protect me has now dissipated like smoke in the wind. Of all the families to shackle me to, he picked the one person on the entire planet that absolutely terrifies me.

I’d seen him only a few times at the academy. Much like his cousin, Dmitri is tall. His muscled body a weapon. His face, while handsome, holds something more sinister behind the beautiful facade. Rumors follow him everywhere. The sons of rival families have a way of disappearing when he is present. That is, until Dmitri was sent back to Russia after our Freshman year. The reason was never leaked, but about the time he left, so did one of the female members of an Irish family. Like Dmitri, she never returned. Luca had his suspicions, but he, of course, never bothered to share those with me other than to tell me that Dmitri being abroad was safer for everyone, including myself. Now, it wouldn’t matter where he was because in a week, I would be by his side.

The thought of being tied to him makes my stomach churn, souring more with each passing moment. The heavy weight of tradition and duty crushes me. I’d been trained for this, to endure for the sake of my family. Endure a loveless, arranged marriage to a dangerous man in a foreign country, far away from any lifeline I might still have after I said my vows.

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