Page 9 of The Sound in Silence

“Or not. Maybe she’s simply loyal as fuck, and we could benefit from having that on our side.”

Father’s eyes roll and he reluctantly re-places the image of Vanessa back into the drawer. “Loyal or stupid. Something feels off about this, Erico.”

“Then I’ll figure it out,” I promise. After the wedding.

He levels his stare. “If you’re certain about your decision, you’ll be the one telling your mother the wedding she’s in the thick of planning for you and Aurora needs to be cancelled.”

He tosses his head back because we both know how that conversation will go.

* * *

After an annoying meeting with my mother, a meeting with Ariella’s future bodyguard, and then a phone call with the mansion’s housekeeper, I head from my condo down to the private garage for only Caladin and me, since he lives on the level beneath me. Instead of bed, which is the only place I should be headed after the gruelling day of flying from Montreal to New York, I slide into the front seat of my favourite car, my custom-painted matte black Porsche 918 Spyder.

There’s nothing better than the feel of the leather wheel, the rumble of speed as the thin tires fly me over the cement and down the connecting roads, the pure power as everything around me blurs while I speed toward Brooklyn.

Father would kill me if he knew my extra-curricular activities.

Watch me care.

Ariella

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of this.

Well, notthisexactly.

I imagined standing in front of a mirror with Della by my side and our mother on my other as they fussed over me. I’d be wearing a large, white wedding dress with a long train. They’d hand me the bouquet of red roses before walking me out to my chosen groom.

Instead, I get the bleaker, modified version of that dream, but really, after the disappointment that my life has become the past few years, this outcome is almost expectant.

Della’s arms weave around my shoulders, hugging me from behind. In our reflection, her eyes dim, matching her frown. “Smile, Ariella. Please. A single smile so I’m able to let you go today.”

For her, anything. My lips curl up and I search for something cheery to cling to, to force happiness into my heart. “You chose well,” I compliment, gesturing to the white dress I’m donned in.

Nico and Erico had agreed to a small ceremony, which I’m thankful about, though annoyed neither asked me what I wanted. Either way, my decisions would have been the same, so at least Erico and I are on the same page. My plan was to wear whatever semi-decent thing I found in my closet, but at Della’s insistence, I found myself dress shopping. She was the one fighting the hardest to get me out of the union, but she begrudgingly accepted it and has instead tried to make me content in any miniscule way she can.

Is happiness even in the cards for me? Truly.

Dress shopping provided a sense of normality I appreciated. Even Aurora accompanied us, showering me with constant apologies. She’s the one who refused to wed Erico and she’s taking all the blame on my offer, even if it’s misplaced.

The dress Della picked out is lovely. A soft, white silk going to my knees and leaving my shoulders bare. My hair’s been left down and loose, and my makeup simple. Today’s a formality and nothing more.

Della releases me after a final peck on the cheek. “Well, I should go downstairs and let everyone know you’re ready. Come down whenever, although I recommend sooner rather than later or else Erico might come hunting for you.”

Unlikely.

Either way, I wave as she exits my bedroom and leaves me alone for the last time.

I study the room that’s been home for a short time. Since Erico’s insisting on leaving for New York right away, I’m already packed and my bags were brought down earlier, returning this room to being the guest room it once was.

When I leave the room, it’s with a tug on my heart. This will be the final time I walk from this doorway, walk the halls, descend the staircase. By tonight, it’ll be a different staircase, different hallways, and another bedroom doorway.

By the time I reach downstairs, it’ll be the beginning of the end. Of nothing. Of losing any meagre chance Imighthave once had for a natural happy ever after as I chase my designed one.

Erico arrived over an hour ago, but I haven’t seen him yet. Della said his parents didn’t join him, which makes me both terrified and pleased. Terrified because if not today, there will come a time I’ll have to meet them. But pleased, I won’t have to interact with them quite yet. His cousin, a man no one here has met before, came too.

At the base of the stairs, I study the house, knowing it’s one more hallway until the ballroom, where everyone waits. The very room that began all of this. The space Della’s engagement party was held in and what initiated Erico and me meeting.

A short walk. A few dozen steps and I’m right there. The arched entranceway showing the makeshift aisle the people in attendance created.

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