Page 195 of Beautifully Reckless

Maybe I have.

Or maybe… I’ve just stopped giving a fuck.

Every moment they force me to do something is another moment my sanity slips away.

When I see a little country chapel up ahead on the path, I know I’m right, but I’m not prepared for how many men are inside when I’m dragged through the doors. Or the sight of my dad, waiting at the end of the aisle, tears streaking down his face.

“Please stop this,” he begs, his voice cracking. “It has gone too far.”

No one listens. Not a single one of them is here for me.

They are here for the show. Eager to see this twisted ceremony finally unfold.

Daniel stands just behind my dad at the altar, his face red with anger, probably wishing he never went along with his parents’ madness in the first place.

As we get closer, my dad falls to his knees, hands clutched in front of him like he’s praying. “Please. Put a stop to this.Please.”

I frown at my dad, wondering why he doesn’t start swinging fists? Why doesn’t he fight for me with more than words? Why isn’t he the one that would burn the world down to protect me?

His voice. His words. Make me nothing but furious.

“Jesus, Dad, where are your balls?” I sneer as we pass him, curling my lip in disgust.

Instead of showing me hedoeshave the balls I need him to have, he leaps up and runs from the chapel like a coward.

My mum settles in the front pew, smug and composed, Maggie sliding in beside her like the loyal little traitor she is.

The two idiots escorting me, drag me to the altar, placing me in front of Daniel. But they don’t let go.

Daniel’s gaze flicks to their hands, still clamped tight on my arms, before his eyes shift to meet mine.

“Is this everything you imagined?” I sneer, but he doesn’t say anything.

The only reaction I get from him is the hard tick of his jaw.

“Thank you for joining us here today for the union of Abigail Eloise Delany,” Minister Banes announces, and a laugh bubbles from my throat.

Frowning, Minister Banes glares at me, clearly rattled by my behaviour, but he clears his throat like it’s going to reset the mood.

So, naturally, I laugh louder.

I throw my head back dramatically, giving them a good show, the anxious shifting on the pews from the men in attendance, fuelling my rebellion.

“Uhhh… is she right in the head?” someone in the congregation mutters, while thug one and thug two both shrug.

Stepping down off his righteous pedestal, Minister Banes stands before me, his eyes looking into mine like he’s checking to see if I’m all there.

The thugs holding me in place, release their hold, stepping aside, and I continue to laugh, letting this cult leader see my crazy.

“What do you find so funny?” Banes asks stiffly, and I clutch my middle, drawing out the drama as I blow out a breath like I’m struggling to compose myself.

“I’m sorry,” I say between fake gasps, waving my left hand in front of my face, wanting him to see the black wedding band on my finger. “I can’t wear Daniel’s ring.”

Daniel mutters something under his breath, while Banes crosses his arms over his chest.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man of God do that before. It’s such a closed off gesture.

“Of course you can wear his ring,” Banes says, voice clipped. “Youwillwear his ring.”

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