Betrayed Before “I DO”

Chapter 12

I did not look back when we left Victoria’s house. Not even when the cold air hit my face or when the door clicked shut behind us. I was scared that if I did, I might hesitate. The doubts would creep in, and I would go back home and pretend none of this was real.

How could it be real?

My father was a liar, a stranger to me. He didn't care about my mother or me.

He was greedy, a monster that I didn't know. Not really.

Just like my evil stepsister and stepmother.

None of them gave a damn about me. They had treated me like rubbish, like a servant who was worthless to them. They hated to see me with anything good; they wanted what was supposed to be mine.

Victoria walked a few feet in front of me with such certainty and confidence. She was the only person that I could really trust.

She stopped in front of a waiting car, and I froze.

What was happening?

“Come on, in you get. It's safe. I'm with you.”Victoria turned to me and gestured to the waiting car. I swallowed hard and nodded without asking any questions, even though my mind was a whirl of chaos and curiosity.

I opened the door and slid across the warm leather seats. I rested my bag on my lap and let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

Victoria got in beside me, and the car pulled away immediately.

“Everything will be fine, you are safe,” Victoria assured me, but I didn't reply at first. Instead, I let my eyes rest on the window. That gave me a sense of warmth and security.

“I know, I just have no idea what I am supposed to think about this. My mother, she's really alive all this time?” I shook my head and refused to let any tears fall.

Victoria took my hand and squeezed it gently.

“I know, but it was for the best. You will understand in time,” she said.

I frowned.

The car slowed slightly.

“So, where are we going?” I asked.

“Somewhere safe,” Victoria answered me straight away.

That was not an answer, but I did not push her further.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the car pulled into a gated area, a secure and hidden place that had bright flood lights on either side of the gate.

The gates closed the moment that we entered.

I gasped at the sight of the building in front of us.

It was huge, a mansion.

The car stopped outside the main doors.

“Is she here? In there?” I swallowed hard and dared to look at the woman who was my mother's best friend.

Victoria shook her head. “No, but this is where we will stay tonight. It's one of her places. It's completely safe here, and nobody knows you are here.”

One of my mother's places?

My eyes widened as I stepped out of the car.

“Wow.” I whistled quietly.

The driver of the car had not said a word the whole journey, and I was curious what they knew about my mother. I watched as the car pulled away, leaving Victoria and me on the stony driveway.

“So, what now?” I shrugged, confused. If my mother wasn't here, then where was she?

My grip tightened on my bag, and I felt my heart hammer in my chest.

“I hope they don't find me. I can't go back to that life. Daniel will go crazy when he realises I've left him.” A breath hitched in my throat, and I felt sick at the pit of my stomach.

“No, they will not find you.” Victoria grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look straight at her.

“But what..” I started to say, but she stopped me.

“Not another word, you are safe. Now let's get inside before the rain starts. We have an early start, and it's already late,” she held my gaze and gestured to the front door.

As soon as we entered, I felt a strange connection to the place, my mother had been here. She had walked these halls, sat in the chairs around the huge dining table and drank from the glasses that were neatly stacked on the shelves.

Victoria watched me carefully. “Your bedroom is upstairs, first on the left. Get some sleep. I am down the hall on the right if you need anything, okay?” She touched my arm and smiled.

I nodded and forced a smile.

I was grateful for her help and guidance. She made her way up to her own bedroom, and I made my way to mine.

I walked into th room and switched on the light. The bedroom was huge, with a red carpet and a four-poster bed. A 50-inch TV hung on the wall, and there was even an en suite. I perched on the edge of the bed and slipped off my shoes.

Everything replayed in my head, and I wanted to shut it all out. Tomorrow was supposed to be my wedding day, the one I had dreamt of for so long, and it had been stolen from me. I curled my hands into fists and allowed myself to lie back on the bed even though I knew that sleep was not going to come to me anytime soon.

Daniel’s face popped into my head, and then Amelia’s. They had been playing me for goodness knows how long. She wanted everything that was supposed to be mine. My father didn't give a damn about how any of that would make me feel; I was his daughter. His own flesh and blood, and yet he did nothing to make me feel protected.

“You aren't going to take anything else from me, you will all pay for what you have done to me.” I muttered to myself.