Page 98 of Original Sins (Dark Odyssey 6)

“Of course. I’ll miss you too.”

He walks over to me and sets his hands on my shoulders. “You look just like her, your beautiful mother. Just like her, even when you're mad at me.”

I search his eyes, knowing he’d be furious if he ever found out what I did. But he pushed me and nearly pushed me over the edge. Still, if I hadn’t done the auction, I would never have met Georgiou or Henry.

“I’m tired,” I tell him because it’s best we don’t talk. Best we don’t say any more than we have.

“Alright, Bellezza. I love you.”

He never says that as much as he used to. Now I can’t help but think he’s saying it as a form of goodbye because of what’s to come.

Nevertheless, and despite everything, I do love my father.

“I love you too.”

He dips his head to give me a kiss on my forehead, and then he leaves.

I shower and change for bed, but I don’t sleep at all.

Tomorrow night is on my mind, and I just want to get it over and done with.

I go through the motions the next day.

All the women in the family join me as I get ready at five for the engagement party I want to run away from.

I smile when my aunts come to the house and tell me how beautiful I look and how I look like my mother.

It’s Aunt Francine who says that, and since she was the one I heard called my mother a gold-digger, I don’t even answer her.

Usually, I would humor her with a fake smile, but I’m going with the change I had since meeting the guys and decided to ignore her fake bitch ass.

Cordelia’s mother, Helen, is my favorite aunt. She flew over from Scotland with her husband for the occasion. I stayed close to her and Cordelia until the event started.

“Just breathe,” Cordelia whispers to me as we walk through the doors of Rochester Hall.

It’s stunning and completely breathtaking. It’s the type of dream location for a wedding that’s booked out years in advance but available to a man like my father whenever he wants, especially when he booked it for both my engagement party and for the wedding.

I just wish I were here under better circumstances.

“I’m trying,” I reply, and she gives my arm a gentle squeeze.

Peter is waiting by the door and the entrance of the function hall. We’re supposed to walk in as a couple.

As he makes his way over to me, I glance back at Cordelia.

“Just breathe.” She nods. “It will be over soon.”

I tear my eyes away from my cousin as Peter gets to us, and when Cordelia leaves my side to join her mother, it feels like my safety net is gone.

Peter reaches for my hand, and I give it to him because I can’t act up and displease him in any way.

He kisses my knuckles and gives me a lascivious smile.

“You look beautiful, Bellezza.”

“Don’t call me that,” I mutter keeping my voice low.

He straightens up and moves to my ear. “Behave yourself. Remember my warning. Your father is inside. If you piss me off, I’ll tell him he should check to see what his little girl has been up to.”

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