THE HARRINGTON CONTRACT

CHAPTER 4: GOODBYE, HOME

Sophia’s POV

“Stop moving.”

“I’m not moving.”

“You are.”

I rolled my eyes as Grace pulled at my hair.

“Grace, you're hurting me.”

“You’ll survive.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. Grace had been in my room for almost an hour, going through my clothes, my makeup and practically everything I owned. I didn’t have much but I was content.

I looked towards my wardrobe. The wedding gown was still there. Charles had brought it last night. He hadn’t said much when he came. He simply handed the dress to my father and left. I hadn’t even had the courage to open it up.

Grace caught me staring. “What?”

“Nothing.”

She turned back to my hair. “Good. Now stop moving.”

I forced a smile.

Grace finally stepped back from me.

“Okay, I’m done.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. For a moment, I just stared. My hair and makeup actually looked beautiful. I felt genuine happiness for the first time in months. I turned slightly, looking at myself from another angle.

“Wow.”

Grace smiled behind me. “See? I told you.”

“I actually look good.”

“You look amazing Sophia.”

I smiled at my reflection. For a few seconds, I forgot about everything else. Then I reached behind me to unbutton my top so I could put on my dress. I took off the clothes I had on and reached for my wedding dress when Grace suddenly stopped.

“Wait.”

I looked at her.

“What?”

She pointed towards my chest.

“What is that?”

My heart dropped. I instinctively looked down. The bite mark. I had completely forgotten about it. Or maybe I hadn’t. Maybe I had just gotten so overwhelmed with everything else that I hadn’t allowed myself to think about it.

Grace squinted at it. “Did you get into a fight?”

She laughed but I didn’t. My entire body went still. For a second, I was back there. Reliving the moment again. A shiver ran through me.

“Sophia?”

I blinked.

Grace was staring at me now. “You good?”

“Yeah.” My voice came out too quickly.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

I couldn’t get myself to speak about what happened that night. I’d thought about telling my brother. I’d thought about telling Grace. But everytime I tried, the words just wouldn’t come out.

There had been too much happening since then. My father. The marriage. Charles. It felt like every time I got close to processing one thing, something else happened and pushed it further into the back of my mind.

So I left it there. Buried. Atleast for now.

Grace turned toward me. “Okay, now we need to figure out what you’re wearing with the dress.”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“No.”

She stared at me.

“Sophia, today is your wedding.”

“I know.”

“And you hadn’t even thought about your shoes?”

“I’ve had other things to worry about.”

“Fine. Sit down.”

I wanted to tell her I was scared. I wanted to tell her I didn’t know what I was doing. But she seemed so excited and I didn’t want to ruin it.

So I just listened to her whenever she spoke and reacted whenever she wanted me to.

Grace eventually shoved a pair of shoes towards me.

“Put these on.”

I stared at them. “Those heels are ridiculously high.”

“They’re perfect.”

“I’m going to fall.”

“You’re not, stop being dramatic and put them on.”

I sighed and took them from her. Surprisingly, they weren’t hard to put on. A few minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself.

The dress fit perfectly, my hair was done. My makeup was done. The shoes matched my dress perfectly. I looked like a bride. I just didn’t feel like one. Grace came to stand beside me.

“You look so beautiful bestie.”

I smiled at my reflection. “Thanks.”

Then she grabbed her phone. “Okay, we’re taking pictures.”

I laughed.

“Grace, seriously?”

“Yes, I’m not letting you get married without pictures.”

And somehow, I found myself laughing with her.

She took one picture. Then another. Then another.

“Grace.”

“What?”

“You’ve taken like twenty pictures.”

“And?”

“I think that’s enough.”

She ignored me and took another one. “Turn around.”

“Why?”

“Quit asking so many questions and just do it.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Now look over your shoulder.”

“Grace, I’m not a model.”

“You could’ve fooled me.”

I laughed again, then Grace suddenly went quiet. I looked at her through the mirror. “What?”

She smiled. “I just can’t believe you’re getting married, I can’t wait to get married to a rich man too.”

I sighed. “Neither can I. Still feels like a dream.”

Grace walked around me, inspecting the dress from every angle. “I can’t believe your dad got this for you.”

I looked at her through the mirror.

“Charles bought it.”

She paused. “Oh.”

I nodded. “He came last night.”

She looked at me for a second before continuing.

“Did you guys hug or anything?”

“No. He gave it to my dad and left before I got out to see him.”

“Hmm, that’s odd but okay.”

I shrugged.

The door suddenly opened and my brother peeped in.

“Aren’t you two done already? You’ve taken over the room we’re supposed to be sharing.”

Grace immediately pointed her phone at him. “We’re taking pictures, we’d be out in a bit.”

He frowned.

“Why?”

“Because your sister is getting married.”

He looked at me. I could see in his eyes he didn’t want this, he looked defeated. Like he didn’t have any control over this.

“Sophia, you look beautiful.” He said.

I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Well, dad wants everyone downstairs.”

“Everyone?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

He slowly closed the door. “I’d be waiting downstairs.”

I stared at the door for a moment. Grace squeezed my hand.

“Come on, don’t get all nervous now. Let’s go.”

I picked up my purse and looked around my room one last time. Everything was exactly where I’d left it. My bed was made, everything looked normal even if it wasn’t.

I was leaving this room today. Leaving the life I had known. Grace touched my arm.

“Sophia?”

I blinked.

“Yeah?”

“Are you coming?”

I looked around the room one more time before nodding.

“Yeah.”

I followed Grace downstairs.

My father was sitting at the dining table, going through some papers. He looked up when we approached. His eyes moved briefly over my dress.

“Good. You’re ready.”

I nodded. He glanced at his watch.

“Charles will be here soon.”

My stomach tightened. Soon. I knew that. But hearing it out loud felt different. Grace squeezed my hand. My father returned to his papers as if he hadn’t just reminded me that my life was about to change.

“Okay, so…”

I turned to her.

“So what?”

“Where are we supposed to sit?”

Before I could answer, we heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. My stomach tightened. Charles had arrived. Everything after that happened so quickly.

He barely acknowledged me when he walked in. No smile. No congratulations. Nothing that made me feel like I was supposed to be his bride.

And I’m sure everyone noticed, I could tell from the way my brother and Grace looked at me. No one said anything, but I could feel it.

The wedding itself was brief. Quiet. Almost too quiet for something so significant in my life. I mean it’s about to change my entire life against my will. Before I knew it, it was over. I was married. And I still wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel.

My brother helped me carry the few boxes I had packed into the car. I hugged him tightly before stepping back.

“I’ll miss you. Take care of yourself, okay?”

He smiled. “You too. Don’t forget to call me.”

“I won’t.”

I looked at my father one last time. He barely said anything, just nodded. Charles shook his hand.

“We’ll talk later.” My father nodded.

I took one last look at my childhood home before getting into the car. Charles got in beside me. He glanced at me briefly.

“My new wife.” He said calmly. “Let’s go to your new home.”

The driver started the car. I turned towards the window as the house slowly disappeared behind us. The journey was quiet. I watched my street pass by, knowing that with every kilometer, I was getting further away from everything I knew.

After what felt like forever, the car slowed. I looked ahead. The gates opened and somehow, everyone seemed to be waiting. I frowned. Charles looked towards the house.

“Welcome home.”

I stepped out of the car. The driver began unloading my things while Charles walked towards the house. I followed slowly. Then someone stepped through the front door. I instantly froze. I knew him. I knew that face. It was the man who had hurt me.

The man I met at the party. Everything came rushing back at once. My hands started shaking, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even look away.

“Sophia?”

Charles’s voice sounded distant.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded, forcing myself to look away from the house.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Charles frowned. “Are you sure?”

I looked back at the house and saw he had disappeared. I was confused so I stalled before responding to Charles.

“Yeah, I thought I saw someone.”

“Oh.” Charles looked at me for another second before turning away.

I took a deep breath and followed him inside the house, but my eyes stayed on the doorway.