Chapter 17 #2
But it’s different for her. Even after everything, she chose to stay. And Konstantin never hated her the way Aleksei despises me. He’s going to make sure I suffer.
A knock hits the door before I can spiral any further. Setting the mug down on the counter, I move reluctantly, knowing it must be the dress. When I open the door, I don’t expect it to be two women who look like they’ve stepped out of a Vogue shoot.
“Mrs. Marinova?” The taller one beams, knowing full well that’s not my damn name. Not yet, anyway.
Ugh. The thought makes me want to vomit.
“I’m Claire, and this is Kelly. Mr. Marinov said you knew to expect us.”
I catch the black Ralph Lauren garment bags and the red Cartier and Chanel bags.
Well, if I have to marry the devil, I might as well look pretty doing it.
“Right. Yeah.” I open the door wider, stepping aside so they can glide in with the dresses and whatever else they’ve got.
They remove their shoes by the foyer, and I lead them to the bedroom, where they lay everything on the bed.
“Mr. Marinov was very specific. Lace, thin straps, sweetheart neckline, mermaid silhouette, flared tulle, and small beaded diamonds along the floral appliqué near the hem,” Claire says, unzipping the first bag.
“He said all that?”
“He had notes,” Kelly adds cheerfully. “He really cared about getting your dream wedding dress right. As a surprise, he said.”
Color me fucking shocked.
When they unzip it, my eyes grow. The dress is stunning.
Too stunning. The kind of gown you picture in fairy tales…
if the fairy tale was written by someone who enjoys psychological manipulation and brutal dominance.
And if I’m being honest, if I was ever going to get married for real, it would be in something just like this.
I’ve never imagined my own wedding. I was never the type of girl who stared at dresses and rings and wondered what her future husband would look like or be like.
And I definitely never pictured myself getting married to a Russian mobster.
My eyes catch on the delicate straps and the shimmer of the beadwork near the train. The way the lace flutters at the bottom. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and it makes me want to hurl my mug through the nearest window.
“Would you like to try it on?” Kelly asks.
No. Yes. Can I keep the dress, but not the fiancé?
I nod stiffly, not trusting my own mouth.
“The designer wanted to make sure Mr. Marinov was satisfied, so the gown was created in two sizes.” She clears her throat.
“And your satisfaction is important too, of course,” Claire adds quickly, realizing how that sounded.
Right. Of course. This is all about me.
“We’ll step out to give you some privacy,” Claire goes on. “When you’re ready, just let us know.”
“Okay.”
As soon as they leave and close the door, I take the first gown and place it on the carpet, stepping into it.
When I pull it up, it’s surreal, like I’m putting on someone else’s life. Someone who doesn’t know what it feels like to be backed into a corner by a man with eyes like weapons and threats laced in every smile.
I call them in, and they start squeezing me into the corset. Once they’re done, they stare at me like I’m a doll on display.
“You look so beautiful!” Kelly gushes, while I want to roll my eyes until they fall out.
“Here, let’s get you into the shoes he chose.” She grabs a pair of silver heeled sandals that look like they cost more than my monthly salary. “He included your sizes for everything, so these should fit. You must be so excited!”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Ecstatic.”
They laugh like I’m joking.
Claire fastens the earrings next. Diamond studs so bright, I swear I see into the future.
She grins as she takes a step back. “Perfect.”
“Let’s get you to a mirror.” Kelly guides me toward the long one in my room.
And when I see myself, I stop short. Because I look…beautiful.
“How much is this dress?” My palms glide down the soft fabric, knowing it must be thousands, easily.
They exchange a look.
“That’s not important, now, is it?” Kelly says.
“It is to me.” I hit them with a glare through the mirror. “How much?”
“Uh…” Claire clears her throat. “It’s, um, one point five.”
“One point five?” My gaze narrows. “Thousand?”
She laughs. “Of course not. Million.”
I choke. “Wh—what?”
“It was custom. Specially made for you.”
I whirl around. “What do you mean, custom?” My heart pounds; my head spins. “When did he order this dress?”
Another look between them. More hesitation.
“You might want to ask Mr. Marinov—”
“No,” I snap, the edge in my voice sharp enough to cut through her. “I’m asking you.”
Claire swallows. “It’s been over two months. I don’t know the exact date.”
My heart drops into my stomach.
He’s been planning this. The marriage. The vineyard deal. All of it.
I can’t breathe.
“Undo this dress, then get out.”
“But—”
“Now.”
They nod quickly, clearly sensing that I’m about to lose it. Kelly undoes the lace string of the corset while Claire helps undo the straps of my dress. As soon as they take the other garment bag, they scatter out of the room, leaving me alone with the future I never asked for.
I sink onto the bed, the weight of a million-dollar dress still clinging to my skin. If it wasn’t for my parents, I’d rip this dress to shreds and send him a care package with its remains.
But I can’t do that. I have to play the long game, even if it costs me everything.