Page 10 of Inescapable Ties
“There are no ‘expectations’ for what I have to do after. The agreement is I marry him.”
My father was fifty-one, but was still quick for his age. In an instant, one hand had me by the hair and his other arm pinned my hands to the table.
“Whatever that man wishes to do to you tomorrow night, you will say yes,” he hissed.
“I might let him slice me to bits first.”
He lifted his hand, as if to strike me, but pulled it back just as quickly.
“You can’t have bruises on your wedding day,” he stated.
My features contorted into a scowl as I glared at him. The very sight of him filled me with anger and disgust, for he was undoubtedly the worst parent in existence. Was it too much to ask for a little love and care from the person who’s supposed to be your protector? All he brought was disappointment and pain.
“Wives are nothing but a nuisance. Look at your mother, or Valentina Alto. They must be kept in line.”
My father’s words elicited a strong urge to laugh from me, as if it were the most absurd thing I had ever heard. The idea of a man controlling or “keeping me in line” was both comical and repulsive. I would rather meet my fate at the end of a blade than succumb to such a fate.
It was a possibility. “The Butcher” would be waiting for me at the end of the aisle tomorrow.
My father’s words echoed in my mind as I stormed out of his office, my blood boiling with anger. Every step I took felt like a hammer striking the ground, my pulse racing and my jaw clenched tight. As I made my way back to my room, tears of frustration and betrayal blurred my vision. I collapsed onto my bed in a fit of blind rage, emotions coursing through me like a raging river. My fists pounded against the pillows, releasing some of the tension that had built up inside me.
A sudden burst of light caught my attention, and I turned to see where it was coming from. My gaze landed on the wall, where the overhead lamp had cast a bright reflection of my engagement ring. The diamond sparkled and refracted into a dazzling display of prisms, dancing across the beige paint in a mesmerizing pattern.
It was a stupidly large ring. Emilio probably picked it based on diamond size - I didn’t know they made them in this many carats - and not a design I would actually like.
It felt more like a ball and chain than a symbol of love.
Chapter six
Luciana
Onmyweddingday,I was awoken by a text from an unknown number.
Don’t bite my lips off today.
I glared at my phone, annoyed that Emilio was the first person I had to speak to this morning. My nails clacked against the screen of my phone as I sent him a response.
I’ll keep one intact.
I sighed and tossed my phone onto the plush, satin-covered bedspread. A wedding was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but here I was, feeling like a prisoner.
That night, I had opted to stay at the hotel. My bridal suite was conveniently located downstairs. And I had needed a break from my father’s overbearing presence.
It was almost nine o’clock - I needed to head down and start getting ready. My stomach churned as I got out of bed and threw some clothes on. The gurgles only increased as I got closer to my bridal suite, and I swallowed the upcoming bile as I opened the door.
It was a sight to behold. The walls were adorned with shimmering tapestries, depicting scenes of blooming flowers and gentle butterflies dancing in the breeze. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, refracting light and creating a dazzling display of colors on the walls.
My wedding gown hung gracefully on a satin hanger. I had no interest in its appearance, just like everything else about this wedding. Martina had taken over and chose the gown for me.
It oozed her style. Lace, puff sleeves, a ball gown skirt. I looked like a princess wearing it.
And I was about to marry a beast.
As the hours slipped away and the sun shifted position in the sky, time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Hair and makeup artists bustled around me and my bridesmaids, ensuring every curl was perfectly placed and each speck of makeup was flawlessly applied.
Now we stood poised and ready. I was just moments away from gliding down the aisle towards my uncertain future.
“Well... good luck,” Martina said.
