CHAPTER THREE
1444 Words
“I'm going to marry him. You can let mom go now.“ Tears streamed down her face.
“Of course.“ He unceremoniously let his wife go, making her fall since she had lost all the feelings in her leg. Albert stepped over her to reach his sobbing daughter on the floor.
He knelt so he was on her level. “That was not so hard, yes, Verna? I'm so proud of you.“ He cooed. “I knew you would come around. You're my good girl after all.“
Verna had never hated anyone the way she hated her sperm donor in this moment. She could only sob in response.
“And, I expect you ladies to prepare for the wedding. Buy some clothes and whatever will be needed. It's in three days. At the City Cathedral.“
“Three days?“ Both women exclaimed in unison.
“Surely, whoever I'm marrying can give me enough time to prepare.“ Verna protested.
“There's no time like the present, daughter.“
“Albert, have you ever seen anyone use three days to prepare a wedding?“
“We can be the first. She is marrying into the wealthiest family in Denmark. Invite some of my family members and yours too. It is a joyous occasion after all. Look happy, ladies.“
“Dad…”
“Don't test me, ladies. You know what I'm capable of.“ He smirked at them before strolling out, whistling.
“I'm sorry, mum.“ Verna crawled to where her mother was sprawled out on the floor. “I'm sorry he hurt you on my account.“
“You have nothing to be sorry for, my daughter. It is my own fault for not taking care of you properly. For not standing up for you and myself. I should have protected you from that monster. I even dragged you back after you had escaped him. Can you ever forgive me, Verna?“
“Oh, mom.“ She cried and hugged her mother. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault you married a monster. And I forgive you mom.“
“Thank you, Verna. Stop crying.“ She wiped her daughter's tears.
“Here.“ Verna sniffed to show that she was no longer crying. “Let me clean that up for you.“
While the mother daughter duo tried to clean up blood, the Shanks got ready to spill it.
“I swear on everything I have, Mr Shanks, I have nothing to do with the embezzlement. I would never do that to the company.“
“Is that right, Edgar?“
“You have to believe me, sir.“
“Of course.“ The older Mr Shanks sat on his high chair and regarded the men kneeling before him. All four of them were like pests to him. Annoying him with their whines of innocence.
“Edgar and I had no idea it was going on. Even though we were in charge of it, we didn't know we were being played.“ Another one pleaded.
“Don't kill us, sir.“
“Another chance, please, sir. We promise to find the culprit.“
“I want them beheaded.“ The older Shanks ordered his bodyguards.
"Yes, boss."
“Beheaded?“ Edgar mouthed. He screamed when he found out that Mr. Shanks was very serious. He took off but he was soon restrained by the hefty guards.
“Do it.“ A sword was immediately produced by one of the guards. The ray of sunlight was the last thing Edgar saw.“
“Mr Shanks, no, please. I'll confess, please.“ His fervent plea was met with him simply sipping his juice.
“Too late. Kill him.“ Swiftly, all four of them were beheaded. The room reeked of blood. He looked at the headless men and smiled in satisfaction.
“Get this place cleaned up.“ He ordered his men.
“Yes, sir.“
*********
Saturday finally came, much to the delight of Albert. He had been stopping by his daughter's room periodically to make sure there was no changing of mind.
“It's your wedding day, daughter.“ He beamed at her like a proud father would.
Verna got dressed with her mother's help. She wore her mother's wedding dress and little makeup.
“My strong girl.“ Evelyn sighed. She stared at her daughter's reflection in the mirror.
“Mom…” tears welled up in her eyes.
“Don't cry, pretty girl.“
“It's just too hard for me to take in. I don't even know him.“
“I'm sure he'll love you. There's no man on earth that wouldn't love you. Unless he's a stupid man.“ Evelyn assured her daughter. “Now, let's go.“
Contrary to what Evelyn said, Arthur didn't even deem it fit to look at his bride. He neither looked at her, nor did she. They stood opposite each other in silence while the priest did his thing.
“Is there anyone present who doesn't want this wedding to go on?“ The priest asked. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.“
Immediately, the sound of multiple guns being c****d filled the church. It was Arthur's men. Silently daring anyone to oppose. The reaction was instant. Arthur's parents nodded satisfactorily. Albert looked on with a smug smile.
The silence in the church could be sliced. Nobody in the crowd dared to murmur. The priest clutched his robe tighter and wished the time would pass faster.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.“ The priest jumped to the end.
Neither of them made a move to near each other. “I don't have to kiss her now, Father. What will go on later at night will cover it all.“ He smirked at the priest.
“Of course.“ He nodded, understandingly.
The wedding ceremony came to an end. Verna was escorted to one of the cars outside. She took a last look at her parents. She knew her life would never remain the same.
“As promised, I signed over the properties.“ Arthur said, as he stood before Mr. Ross.
“Wonderful. Thank you, Mr Shanks.“ Albert smiled in complete satisfaction. He was a rich man now. He didn't even feel the burning glare of his daughter's rage.
Evelyn came to hug her daughter one last time but was quickly pulled away by the guards, on the commands of Arthur's mother.
“I just want to hold my daughter.“ Evelyn struggled against the men that held her back.
“We don't need the waterworks. She's ours now.“ Arthur's mom's tone was as arrogant as it was cold.
“I'll miss you, mom.“
“I love you, Verna.“ Evelyn stayed strong, refusing to let her tears pour in front of Verna's emotionless in-law.
“Me too, mom.“
“Let's go.“ Arthur's mother ordered the driver.
Verna was not a child. She knew what went on after wedding day. She washed and prepped herself for her husband. There was no escaping consummation of marriage.
Her husband came in and turned off the light. He was prepared to consummate their marriage too. They didn't speak to each other throughout the whole act. Arthur finished inside her and turned on the light again.
He saw no traces of blood on the bed or on her clothes. He thought to himself that maybe she just didn't bleed. Some women were like that anyway. She might have lost her hymen to strenuous activities over the years.
“You're a virgin, aren't you?“ Was the first thing he asked her. Verna was in a daze. The first thing her husband said to her and it was to ask if she was a virgin? Couldn't he tell?
“Why would you ask that type of question?“ was her smart response. Verna thought it was his way of making conversation that he was joking.
“Answer me. You're a virgin, right? You were a virgin, right? I'm the first man to be inside you, aren't I?“
Verna was confused. “What are you talking about?“ She sat up on the bed and made herself decent.
“Answer me this minute before I lay my hands on you.“ Now she knows he was not joking.
“No.“ She was suddenly very scared of the man that stopped abruptly in front of her.
“No? Were you a virgin or not?“ He thundered.
“I'm not a virgin!“
- Writer
