Chapter 7 - Jenna
The reflection that stared back at me from the mirror was almost unrecognizable. I wasn’t one to mess with makeup, so its magic was lost on me; right now, however, I looked exactly like a fairytale princess that had stepped right out of a book, and it was easy to feel like one—especially since I looked the part.
The last hour had been filled with me being washed with sweet-smelling soaps and soothing fragrances. A combination of oils had been massaged into my skin until it shone like polished gold. My hair had also been styled to perfection, and around my neck sat a beautiful necklace. It had been a gift from my father, and although I was still upset with him for selling me off like this, the gesture had been kind.
I still couldn’t believe I was getting married. Just one week ago, if someone had told me I’d be sitting in a bridal suite getting glammed up for my wedding, I would’ve laughed in their face and called them a liar—but here I was, and my mother wasn’t even here to witness the day.
She didn’t even know that I was getting married. She wasn’t in the best condition, and I hadn’t been able to explain it during my last visit—but on a more positive note, her treatment had begun. My father had paid for the first installment, and I was beyond grateful. It made doing this worth every bit.
I sat in the bridal suite and stared at my reflection in the dressing mirror before me. My makeup artist had just finished applying the last touches of makeup on my face, and she was now standing in front of me, fixing my hair.
“There.” Laura’s nasal voice reminded me of her presence. She pointed to a part of my hair, and the makeup artist stared at her before adjusting it slightly. I knew Laura had nothing to say or show her; there was nothing wrong with my hair. As usual, she couldn’t stand it when someone else was the center of attention.
She wore a grin as she folded her arms across her chest. “She looks like a perfect bride for him now,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll like her. So pretty .”
I gulped and folded my fist. No matter how Laura taunted me, I needed to stay calm. I had to avoid overreacting and creating more problems for myself at this point. I was used to her taunting, so none of this was new.
From a very young age, I'd learned that Laura loved to cause me pain—like when she ruined my fifth birthday, my prom dress, and even petty things, like adding chili to my ice cream.
I tried to focus on the positive side of the whole wedding, which was my mother’s treatment.
“If you guys are done in there, we should get going.” That was my father, calling from outside the room.
I stared at myself one last time, and my heart sank into my stomach. I looked gorgeous, and it wasn’t for someone I loved. It wasn’t for someone worth it.
I felt like crying, but I held it back.
Laura sat beside me as we drove to the church while my dad sat in the passenger seat up front.
“You have to behave yourself, Jenna, when you get there,” my father advised me.
My eyes were fixed on the scenery outside the window. I didn’t want to look at Laura or my dad. I could still feel the grin on her face.
“You’re not getting married to another young man or teenager out there. You must remember your values.”
I knew what my father was trying to say, but he wouldn’t say it directly. How would it look? He was giving his daughter to a monster.
After a long drive, we finally arrived at the church. I alighted from the car after the driver opened the door for me. I walked toward the church entrance with Laura and my father.
A man in a black suit rushed toward us and bowed slightly before my dad. I’d never seen him before, so I didn’t know who he was or what he represented.
“Feliks isn’t here yet,” he told my father shakily.
My father’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean he’s not here?”
I remained calm and kept my mouth shut as we walked toward the church entrance, my father and the nameless man taking the lead.
They talked in whispers; it seemed like there was an issue. I stole a glance at Laura and realized that her forehead was creased with a frown. Of course, I knew she wasn’t worried about Feliks as a human; she only wanted me to marry him.
We walked into the church, and my father made Laura and me sit at the back while he walked away with the man in the suit.
I didn’t take in the sight of the building, or the people present at first—I was more concerned that my groom wasn’t here yet. I wasn’t worried for good but for evil.
I prayed in my heart that he’d never come. I put my palms together and placed them in front of me while Laura craned her skinny neck to look around the church—trying to find Feliks or my father—but I didn’t care.
I was more concerned about the small prayer I was saying in my head.
“Where the fuck is this son of a bitch?” Laura whispered a curse.
I giggled lightly. Laura was shaking her leg continuously while she fidgeted with her hands, and I tried to stay calm.
After a few minutes, I left the church, searching for my father. I’d noticed him leave through the front door. Outside the church, I heard a few people discussing Feliks.
“We’ve been asked to wait, and even after twenty minutes, the groom is still not here!”
I smirked as I watched the drama. This was good news—maybe he’d never arrive.
“Do you think there’s any point in waiting?” another person asked.
One of them turned around and saw me. They let out fake smiles, and soon, they all disappeared into the church. I looked around for my father, but I could not find him.
I slowly sneaked back into the church and met Laura, still seated there, agitated. I wanted to ask her why she was so paranoid, but I decided to let her be.
“It’s not like you care about others,” I muttered.
My father soon walked back to us. Our area was a bit separated from the main church, so those inside couldn’t see us or hear what we were talking about.
“Where is the groom?” Laura asked. “Why isn’t he here yet?”
My father ran both hands through his hair. “I have no idea,” he replied. “I just hope he’s okay.”
Laura narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean, you hope he’s okay?” She moved closer to him. “Why do you sound like you think something happened to him?”
He leaned forward. “Because something bad did happen to him. He was attacked on his way here, and since then, no one’s heard from him.”
The words came out like a double-edged sword, sending cold shivers that turned into butterflies down my stomach, and I found myself grinning again.
Of course, anyone in my shoes would be happy. I would be saved from this marriage if he wasn’t found. I prayed in my heart that they wouldn’t find him, and he wouldn’t show up.
Laura gulped as she turned to me with a frown and a deadly glare. I couldn’t hide my smile. Laura gritted her teeth and clenched her fist as she stared at me.
Maybe I’m finally saved , I thought to myself.
I hoped the victory would last. I returned to my seat and stayed quiet while Laura began to pace.
I was still smiling when I heard someone pick up the mic and make an announcement. I couldn’t hear everything clearly, but I was able to pick up a few words and join them together.
Feliks was here. My heart sank deeply into my stomach, and I felt a lump in my throat.
My father ran back to me and grabbed my hand to pull me up.
“Your husband is here,” he announced excitedly, making my stomach churn in disappointment.
“Ah, thank goodness!” Laura exclaimed.
I didn’t bother to look at her, not even for a second.
I trudged down the aisle, my father’s arm firmly linked with mine, a hint of reluctance in every step. My eyes gazed straight ahead, avoiding the sea of expectant faces, my mind elsewhere. The soft rustle of my white gown and the gentle creak of the old wooden pews were the only sounds accompanying my slow procession.
The church hall, with its high, vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows, seemed to shrink under the weight of my indifference. The warm, multicolored light filtering through the windows cast a sense of nostalgia, but my heart remained unresponsive. The air was thick with the scent of old hymnals and fresh flowers, a familiar aroma that usually brought me comfort, but today, it felt suffocating.
As I walked down the aisle, my thoughts drifted to the life I was about to embrace, one that felt more like an obligation than a dream. My father’s gentle squeeze on my hand was meant to reassure me, but it only made me feel more trapped. I forced a faint smile, a courtesy to the gathered guests, but my eyes betrayed my true emotions—a mix of resignation, anxiety, and a hint of desperation. As I glanced to the side, I saw Veronica in one of the front row pews, smiling sarcastically at me.
My father’s words, saying that I should behave, sounded like a threat to my ear as I heard them again resounding in my head.
My heart was beating very fast as we approached the altar. I remembered my mom, and again, I smiled.
The soft murmur of whispers and the creaking of the pews seemed to grow louder, echoing my inner turmoil. My gaze never wavered, fixed on the figure waiting at the altar, a sense of duty propelling me forward, one slow step at a time.
I could see a smile on Feliks’ lips as he waited to receive my hands in his.
I was so scared. I didn’t want to enter this eternal trap; my heart was heavy, yet I needed to do so.
“Smile a lot, Jenna,” my father whispered.
One would think he was whispering sweet words into my ear from the way he smiled so beautifully and boldly. I hated him for doing this to me.
“The crowd should not see you sad on your wedding day.”
Again, I forced a smile, which came out more like a grimace. I knew I had to do better, or I would be in trouble. I tried to stop myself from crying as I kept forcing those fake smiles.
As we approached the altar, I noticed blood stains on Feliks’ collar.
“ He was attacked, and we didn’t hear from him after that .”
I heard the words again repeatedly, and my heart sank into my stomach.
I took a closer look at Feliks, and he was perfectly okay. Not even a strand of his hair was out of place. Initially confused, my eyes widened after a moment, and my heart sank deeper.
He was a monster.
I felt cold shivers run down my spine, and my legs began to wobble as I took the last steps and stopped before him. I looked at my father.
He didn’t seem to have noticed.
Feliks stared down at his collar, then back at me. He noticed that I was staring at the blood, and he smirked.
Feliks had just killed someone before coming here. I was about to marry a killer.