Page 62 of Something Borrowed

“How dare you do this to me? How dare you do this to our family? You have tainted our family name by marrying that scum. You will pay for this. I will tear them apart. I will destroy everything they have ever loved.”

“What about what I love, dad? What about what makes me happy? Do you even care? Are you so blinded by your own selfish demands that you can’t see that I have a right to choose?” I snap, heating with anger.

“You have no rights. You aremydaughter until the day I die. I choose for you.”

I sigh.

“Not anymore, dad. My husband overrules your choices now. My life is with him.”

My father laughs, and it sends an icy shiver up my spine. I shudder and swallow hard, trying to shake off the horrible sensation.

“You will regret this, Verity. When your husband sees what I have in store for him, he will beg me to take you away.”

Rufino shakes his head. “It will never happen, Luca. She has made her choice. Be man enough to respect that.”

“Man enough? You fucking fool. I am going to kill you. I’m going to burn you to the ground.“

Rufino clicks the red button, and the line goes silent.

I want to throw up.

My stomach is churning like a washing machine and my legs are shaking I think I might collapse.

I stumble, grabbing the arm of the nearest chair I sit down.

Tears threaten to spill from my eyes again and I fight against them.

Crying won’t help you now, Verity.

The rollercoaster of emotions I’ve been on, in such a short time during that conversation are now in one single channel. Fear.

You wanted to go against your father - well - good job because now you’ve provoked him to where he wants to kill the man you love and it’s your fault.

My breathing becomes faster and heavier as panic sets in.

Rufino strides towards me. “Hey, breathe Verity, breathe.” He grabs me into his arms and holds me tight. “Just breathe. You don’t have to be worried about him. He can’t touch me.”

“He can.” I shout, pushing him away. “He can and he will. Itoldyou - you don’t know what he’s capable of. Do you think I want to see you hurt? I can’t - Rufino - I can’t handle the idea of losing you.” I’m sobbing now, my words muffled by the thick lump in my throat and my eyes are blurry with salty streams of tears.

“Stop that.” He grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “Nothing is going to happen to me. And nothing is going to happen to you either. Your father has no power over you, Verity.”

He sounds so sure of himself. I wish I could be as confident, but I’m not.

Standing up I know I have to move. I have to walk or run or scream. The build up inside me is too much. I have to let it out.

Anything to release the growing fear.

I take a step away from Rufino.

“Come on, my love, talk to me.” He begs.

I shake my head. “No, I need space.”

He sighs when I walk away, but I can’t focus on that now.

I have to figure out a way to fix what I’ve done.

I’ve made a mistake by defying my father like this.

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