Chapter 30
30
Victoria
I’m still half asleep when my peaceful morning comes to a screeching halt when a vision of Lorenzo plays behind my lids.
Shit.
I hate the man, yet he still haunts my dreams. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, but he’s only gotten more beautiful.
Life is truly unfair, and it’s especially cruel how devastatingly handsome he’s become.
I roll over in bed, hair shoved across my face, reach blindly for my phone on the nightstand, and check the time.
Instead, I see a text.
I freeze so hard my breath cuts out.
Lorenzo: Hope you slept well. You have a long day ahead of you.
My hand goes numb, and my phone almost slips through my fingers.
How does he have my number, but worse… how is his number programmed into my phone?
I sit up so fast the duvet tangles around my legs, all while my heart slams into my ribs like it’s trying to break out of me.
I stare at the words again, like maybe they’ll rearrange into something sane.
But they don’t. They sharpen.
What does he think I’m doing today?
“Oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening,” I whisper into my empty room, voice cracking.
My palms begin to sweat, and my stomach churns.
I hit the call button for my mother.
She answers in one second—too fast, like she’s been pacing the phone for hours.
“Victoria… we have a long day. I need you ready p>
I stand, pacing the edge of my room with the phone pressed to my ear. “I know, Mother. Don’t you think this is crazy? I can’t do it. Don’t make me… ”
I stop mid-step when she doesn’t say anything. Did she hang up? “Mom p>
Her exhale comes out broken. “Come downstairs p>
“Mom p>
“Come now.” She hangs up.
My legs nearly give out. She dismissed me without an explanation. Why should this be surprising? It’s basically the story of my life.
Do this, Victoria.
We expect this, Victoria.
For my whole life, I’ve been bossed around and moved around like a pawn. Why should this be any different?
I throw on the first clothes I find in my old closet, a sweater with a stretched neckline and jeans that don’t fit right. I shove my hair into a claw clip with shaking hands.
My mother will loooove my appearance…
Within a few minutes, I know today is going to suck. Because before I leave the room, I step toward a window and see the staff rushing across the back lawn carrying white roses and a giant arch made of more flowers.
What the hell is happening?
I move away from the window and head to find my mother.
I’m not even down the hallway when a staff member spots me and gestures wildly. “Miss Victoria, this way p>
“I don’t—wait—” My voice cracks as he shepherds me like a stray cat. “I don’t understand what is happening p>
He doesn’t answer. He just escorts me down the hall and pushes open the door to the study.
My mother is inside.
She looks like a mess, which doesn’t at all match her outfit of silk. Her hair is frizzy, her makeup is smudged, and her eyes are swollen.
Tired. She looks utterly exhausted.
“What—what is going on?” I blurt, stumbling backward.
“We’re preparing for a wedding, Victoria p>
The word punches me straight in the chest.
I stand there frozen, trying not to hyperventilate. “I-I didn’t approve any of this p>
Her eyebrows lift like she finds that adorable. Ice slides through my veins.
She presses her fingers to her temples, and I continue to stare at her.
“Mom.” My voice cracks. “Tell me you didn’t actually agree to this. I know the other day, Father said yes, but I thought—” What the hell did I think? I knew Lorenzo meant business. “I thought you would put him off, stretch it out until we could figure out another way p>
She stiffens, and my throat tightens. Her eyes close for a second and then reopen. “We had no choice p>
The words hit like a blade. This is really happening.
I step back. “There is always a choice p>
“Not anymore.” Her voice breaks. “Your father tried, but Lorenzo—he has everything. Believe me, your father was up all night. He’s tried everything. But Lorenzo didn’t leave us any other choice. If we don’t do this p>
“If we don’t?” My breath catches. “Don’t you mean if I don’t p>
She flinches.
I want to scream. Or cry. Or tear wallpaper off the walls.
But instead, I inhale through my teeth and whisper, “You sold me off p>
She reaches for me, pretending like she cares, but I know it’s a lie. She just needs me to fall into line.
A knock interrupts us.
A middle-aged woman walks in, carrying a few dress bags.
She beams at me. “Hello, time for gown fittings p>
I want to vomit.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s make you a princess p>
I can’t move at first. Then I do.
I’m numb to the world and currently being dragged to God knows where to try on gowns. How is this my life?
I follow her to a parlor room converted into an impromptu fitting room.
She unzips bag after bag.
Lace, satin, silk, beading, tulle, column gowns, ball gowns, mermaid cuts.
I can’t even keep up.
Fabric is everywhere.
My heart hammers, throat raw.
“I don’t—” My voice breaks. “I don’t even know what I’m doing p>
The woman gives me a small, sympathetic smile as she helps me step into a gown. “You’re finding the perfect dress p>
“I don’t want to p>
Her expression dims. “Some weddings aren’t about want, honey. They’re about need p>
The room tilts.
I think I might pass out.
A mirror sits in front of me, and I find myself staring at my reflection.
White lace hugs my body, but my face is pale. I look like a ghost.
More like a sacrifice.
“I can’t do this,” I whisper.
In the blink of an eye, I’m naked again, and then it’s a different dress, and another fitting. Another reflection I don’t recognize.
My mother appears behind me. “This will do p>
I glare at her through the mirror.
Her jaw tightens. “You have to do this p>
“No.” My voice trembles. “I don’t p>
“Yes. You do p>
I turn to face her fully, ready to scream, to unleash everything I’m holding inside…
“Breathe p>
I try.
I fail.
But I follow her out anyway, because everything is moving whether I want it to or not.
Because the wedding is happening. This engagement is real.
And somehow, I’m yet again the pawn.