Page 124 of Poison Vows

Even Emmett wanted this result…

As the beginnings of panic trickle down my spine, the old man turns to look directly at me. “Ripley, escort the young miss to get ready for her wedding.”

“What?” I mutter, still in shock. Grandpa Armando smiles gently.

“I once read that young women such as you and my granddaughter here all take their wedding day seriously andprefer to look their best,” he says softly with a small smile. “Don’t you want that?”

I can feel every gaze in the room looking at me, but my head is starting to buzz with chaos.

I’m literally about to get married off!

“But—”

“Ivy, honey,” Senator Hughes steps in, smiling at me, but the hardness in his eyes is evident. "You told me you’re ready. We wouldn’t want the family to be delayed now, would we? There are people waiting for you to decide, honey.”

A chill grips my heart.

“I understand,” I mutter, my voice filled with fear.

“We’ve prepared everything for you. No need to worry,” Grandpa Armando says with a soft smile on his face.

What in the ever-lovingCinderellameetsThe Hunger Gamesis this?

I stare blankly at him. “Thank you,” I mumble, then I look at Vaughn.

He smiles encouragingly. Ripley comes to my side, then I’m led toward the doors.

“Scar, stay,” Grandpa Armando suddenly says.

I look back to see Scarlet is up, looking in my direction with narrowed eyes.

“Grandpa, maybe she needs help choosing the dress,” she says almost hurriedly.

“A decision is more profound when it’s made entirely by the individual without any outside influences,” the old man says seriously. His words make me shiver. “Besides, haven’t you always told me that fashion is personal? Stay with me and let’s go wait for the bride. Actually, let’s all go.”

As I listen to the finality in those words, Ripley waits patiently for me.

I glance at Ty, but he just looks at me without any expression on his face.

Is this really happening?

I’m led to a seriously stunning, spacious suite that’s designed as if it’s from a palace.

There’s a team of people all waiting for me in there, as well as a huge vanity filled with makeup, jewelry and perfumes.

A sense of déjà vu hits me again.

Emmett had Scarlet prepare a similar setup for me just two weeks ago.

In the space of those few days, Vaughn, his father, uncles, and grandfather, all moved against Emmett.

He’s likely gone… If not, then he’s in serious trouble.

Drowning in a cesspool of depression and fear, I stand there, not knowing what to say to all the overly polite and smiling people in the room, ready to beautify me like a prized calf.

A woman comes over to me with a flipbook full of wedding dresses.

“Please choose the one you’d like,” she says. “Mr. Vaughn said you can have anything you like.”

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