Chapter 3
2424 Words
A bitter chemical smell filled my lungs before I could open my eyes.
My throat felt like it was lined with glass, something cold pressed against the back of my hand.
A sharp pain suddenly hurt behind my eyes. I forced them open against the harsh white light.
Dominic sat on the wooden chair near the bed. He stared at the wall as he gently rested his elbow on his knee.
The pride he usually carried in his shoulders had vanished.
His hands began to shake but he rubbed his hands together.
The sheet rustled as I shifted slightly.
Dominic turned towards me. His eyes widened for a second, and he gripped the edge of the bed.
“How did you feel?” His voice sounded thin. He didn't look at my forehead where the bandage sat, instead he looked at my hands.
“I'm fine,” I lied.
My hand twitched under the blanke. I wanted to hold his hand but I kept my hands at my side.
Elena's voice echoed in my head.
“You stole my life.” Her voice wouldn't leave my head. I pressed my hand against my head trying to suppress the pain.
Dominic stood up and walked to the window, keeping his back to me.
“Elena told me what happened,” he said, stopping to watch the car in the street below.
“She said you slipped,” he continued.
I carefully watched his reflection in the window. He knew the whole story, but he decided to chose to say nothing.
“I didn't slip,” I whispered.
He didn't turn around, he pulled his jacket tighter and his breath went heavy.
He turned his head slightly. “Yulia, please, we need peace right now, Nikolai is coming. If he hears about the fight it will ruin us.”
I couldn't ignore his pleading eyes.
“Where is she?” I asked.
Dominic walked to sit on the chair, he stretched his hands to touch mine.
“She is in the hallway, worried about you,” he pulled his hands back and wiped them on his pants.
Worried? I muttered.
We both knew he lied. Elena didn't feel sorry for what she did.
I closed my eyes, I saw the way she called me a loser, she called me a girl with no home.
I wanted to scream but what came out was:
“I'm tired,” I said.
Dominic quickly dragged himself to stand on his feet. He walked towards the door, and paused for a while as his hands barely twisted the knob before he opened the door widely.
“Rest, I'll tell Nikolai you are sleeping.” The door clicked shut.
I gently touched the bandage on my head, it felt thick and sticky.
The handle softly turned with a soft click, and the door slowly moved inward. It wasn't Dominic, Elena stepped inside, she stood beside a flower vase.
“You are awake,”she said.
I couldn't take my eyes off her. My nails dug into the bedsheets as my palm pressed against the mattress.
I wanted to jump on her, but my hands twitched at my side itching to push her away.
“I didn't slip,” I told her.
Her lips gently curved. She lowered her back to lean over the bed rail.
“It doesn't matter what you say, no one will support you. Look at Dominic, he chose to believe what I said, so you don't belong here.”
Those words settled in my head like a stone in the water, I had the same dream repeatedly since the day of the incident.
Now it had been a week since I accepted to marry Nikolai, and today is my wedding day.
A single knock sounded at the door, that must be the delivery guy.
I forced myself on my feet after I successfully applied my lip gloss and headed towards the door.
The door moved inward as I pushed it. My eyes landed on mom, her lipstick shone bright red and her eyes didn't smile.
“Why aren't you dressed for the wedding?”
“Cheer up, your husband is waiting for you.”
Husband?.
Her smile stretched wider and my heart began to pound.
I tried to stay calm but my voice cracked.
“I'm getting ready,” I said.
She scanned my face as if she saw a secret, I gave her none, she turned and left.
The hallway smelled like fresh lilies, those flowers filled every corner of the house.
I remembered a night, a few days before my wedding. Voices quietly came out from their room, I stood barefoot outside their door holding a glass of water.
“Darling, how was the meeting with the Romano's family?” Mother asked.
I heard fabric rustle as father removed his jacket.
He sighed.
“It didn't go well, I think if our children should marry we can now secure the business.”
“And that girl is being stubborn, I hope she didn't run away before the day.”
My hands tightened around the glass as I leaned closer to the door.
My lips curved into a small smile in the dark hallway as I headed towards the kitchen.
Back in my room, I opened my closet. The wedding dress hung like a silent witness, white silk, long sleeve, lace around the neck.
I touched the smooth, cold fabric.
“Currency,” I murmured.
I slipped into the dress, each layer felt heavier than the last and zipped the back myself.
The mirror showed me as a calm bride. I lifted my lips into a smile.
“They have no idea,” I whispered.
My plans followed me like a shadow. whispering that I would win, promising I would never kneel.
The driver arrived earlier than I expected. He didn't step out, he just watched so I walked downstairs.
My father waited near the door for me, he offered his arm with his perfect looking suit.
Mother stood beside him, smiling like a queen presenting her finest treasure.
She looked at me from my head to my toe slowly and deliberately. She gave a small nod of approval.
Outside, cameras flashed, reporters called my name. The world watched, we moved into the car.
Inside, no one spoke, Father looked straight ahead. I studied his profile, strong jaw, firm mouth. A man who valued deals more than his own daughter.
“You will behave,” he said without looking at me.
I nodded once.
The hall shone gently with gold lights and guests filled every seat.
Music floated in the air as I stepped out of the car and placed my hand on Father’s arm again. Cameras flashed brighter.
Each step toward the altar felt slow, my heartbeat echoed in my ears.
I spotted Elena, smirking at me. She sat in the front row wearing my precious silver bracelet.
At the end of the aisle stood Nikolai Romano, tall, calm and watching.
Our eyes met for a brief second and he stared at me, I quickly lowered my head.
My father placed my hand in Nikolai’s, his grip felt warm and firm.
“I trust this union brings honor,” my father said.
He stepped away.
My fingers shook slightly inside Nikolai’s hold. I tried to hold tight but he leaned closer.
“Darling, why are you shaking?” he whispered.
I couldn't speak, did he sense anything?
Did he know?
“I had cold feet,” I said softly.
He smiled.
The priest spoke, words about love, words about loyalty, words about forever.
Forever sounded like a locked room.
My mind raced.
What if he found out?
Fear pressed against pride, pride fought back.
“I do,” Nikolai said.
All eyes shifted to me.
My tongue felt heavy, my heart pounded so hard I thought guests might hear.
“I do,” I replied.
Applause erupted. The priest announced the husband and wife. Cheers filled the hall.
Nikolai placed his hand on my back and guided me down the aisle.
My veil covered my face, my world turned white and blurred.
Outside, the car waited. He helped me inside,I threw the bouquet behind me without looking, more cheers.
The car door shut, noise faded.
I kept my eyes down, my hands rested on my lap, sweat began to gather along my spine.
“My wife,” he said softly.
“You must have been stressed. Why not rest on my shoulder?”
Huh, Wife.
I swallowed hard, and my body remained stiff.
He leaned closer. “You are mine now, Elena don’t look miserable so about it”
His hand brushed my arm, my skin suddenly moved before I could control it.
“Why are you sweating? Is the AC not on?” He called the driver.
The driver adjusted something in front.
“Remove your veil so you feel the air,” Nikolai said.
I inhaled sharply.
Remove?
No,
Not now,
My teeth pressed against my lower lip.
If he saw my face clearly, he would know I wasn't her. My eyes always betrayed me. Father used to say my eyes screamed secrets.
I grabbed his hand. “I’m fine,” I said.
“Let’s reach home so I can rest.”
He frowned. “Are you sick?”
His palm touched my forehead, fingers slid toward the edge of the veil.
My heart started beating faster.
If he lifted that veil, he might see the truth behind my calm.
His hands gently lifted my veil.
No, No, No,
- Writer
