Page 140 of Ruined Vows

A knock at the door has me turning away to answer it. Anything to escape Carol.

I barely survived the rehearsal dinner last night. And now, Carol’s had me captive in this room with her all morning as she points out everything she thinks is wrong with me.

I yank the door open.

It’s Drew.

Fuck. My stomach clenches like it does every time I see Drew’s face. If there’s one person I want to see less than my mother, it’s him. But I guess sometimes, it’s necessary to handle poisonous snakes.

“It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding,” Carol simpers behind me.

“It’s fine, Mom.” I wave for Drew to come through the door. I texted him to come, actually. I just wasn’t sure he would. He’s in a white tux and is perfectly coiffed, like always. What a fucking façade. As if he’s anybody’s white knight.

“Did the money go through for his bail?” I ask, tugging Drew into the corner and away from everyone else in the room. The make-up and hair people are still packing up their things.

Drew’s face immediately darkens. “That’s your first question to me on our wedding day?”

“It wouldn’t have been if you’d done it sooner,” I snap back.

His eyes get dangerous, narrowing, and his hand whips out to snatch my wrist. His grip is punishing as he squeezes.

“Ow!” I whisper. “Drew, you’re hurting me.”

I’m biting back tears as I look up into his eyes, but it hurtssobad.

These are the eyes of the man I once loved. But no. I never lovedhim. I only loved who I thought he was. A story I made up in my head.

But this violent stranger? I just fucking hate him.

Especially remembering that Drew told me his dad hit his mom when we were teenagers.

Is that what’s in store for me?

I realize in this moment, there’s no way I can actually do what I said I’d do.

I can’t stay with this man. Eventually, he’ll turn his violence on me and god forbid we ever have any children. I shudder at the thought.

I’ll never be safe with him.

“You keep your vow,” Drew whispers, squeezing my wrist so hard my bones are near to cracking. “I’ll keep mine.”

“I’m here. I’m marrying you.” I only feel frightened as I look up at him. Is that what he wants? “What more do you want from me?”

He grips my wrist even tighter, and I let out another cry of pain. “I expect my wife to look happy on her wedding day. I expect every picture to show you completely in love with me.”

“Then maybe you should let go of my wrist so I’m not grimacing in pain the whole time.”

He leans his face down. “Tell me you love me.”

I’m more glad than ever that I’ve been practicing my poker face. I look up into his eyes and say exactly what his ego wants to hear. “I love you. You’re the only man I could ever love.”

He grins down at me and slaps my ass through all the gauzy wedding dress fabric. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”

Oh god. I hadn’t even thought about?—

He whistles as he walks out.

I rush for the bathroom, and the attendants my mother arranged from church hurry to hold back my veil as I violently throw up.

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