CHAPTER 30 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
M Y STOMACH TURNS in somersaults as I follow Oscar along the corridor. That he collected me from the room is better than the other brother doing it, but nevertheless, the silent recriminations and loathing pulse from him.
Having no one to help me get ready: no hairdresser, makeup crew, no fancy cars and no Papà to give me away, is a far cry from when I married Roberto. That day, I had more staff bustling around to attend my every need than a royal.
But my first marriage wasn’t a royal wedding, and neither is this . This one is less real than the first!
I carefully take the steps to the ground floor.
I don’t want to trip on the long dress. I glance down at the crystals dotted over the bodice and the fitted satin of the long skirt flourishing into a mermaid tail hem around my jeweled shoes.
Sylvia wasn’t wrong when she said she had a dress to fit me perfectly.
It does.
And although unwanted, it’s beautiful. It’s just a shame it’s being wasted on that dreadful man.
“Will the car take us from the front of the building or are we going via the back door, so as not to cause embarrassment?” I shouldn’t be sarcastic, but Oscar hasn’t uttered a word, and I have to break the oppressive silence somehow.
Plus, I want to know exactly where I’m signing my life away to the feral Redmond Bateman.
“I doubt you’ll need a car to Red’s office,” Oscar sneers .
And that was it. No more, no less.
I carry on walking, desperate to turn around and go back the way I came. I want to return to where I was before I made the ill-fated decision to seek out the Batemans. I’d rather take my chances with retribution.
But would I?
No, so here I am.
Oscar can’t be serious that the wedding is taking place in Red’s office, surely?
Except, I think he probably is, and that just about sums up both the Batemans and this sham of a marriage I’ve agreed to.
I continue walking, my legs heavy. It feels like the longest path I’ve ever trod - a long road with no turning back.
My mind flits to my parents, sister and brother. My Papà, especially.
Pushing away the threat of ungrateful tears, I remind myself they wouldn’t wish to witness this nightmare. In fact, Papà would not allow it. He’d probably kill Red Bateman first, and that would only make things worse.
Oscar suddenly stops, and I’m forced to do likewise before I slam into him. It’s then I realize Red’s office is mere yards away.
He turns, his face exhibiting watered-down traits of his elder brother, and pulls a piece of paper from his pocket. Without moving his eyes from mine, he unfolds it and hands it to me. “Sign it.”
I scan the typed words. “A prenuptial agreement?” I cry, insulted. “I don’t need Red’s money! I have my own!”
“No, your family has money. You have nothing, and you’ll get nothing from them either if the truth gets out about what you did to Bristoni.
” Oscar shoves a pen in my direction. “Even if, thanks to my brother, you succeed in getting away with it, don’t forget you’ll be cut off by your family once a Bateman ring is on your finger, so you need to sign this.
You’re not getting your hands on our cash or property. ”
I purse my lips. “This marriage was Red’s idea, not mine.” I fail to keep the irritation from my voice. “Why didn’t he speak to me about this before if he believes I...”
“There’s still time to walk away.” Oscar’s eyes drill into mine. “Leave now and quit dragging my family further into your shit.”
I pale, yet at the same time, my cheeks flush with humiliation. “Is Red giving me this option or you?” Because if he’s changed his mind, then...
“ I’m giving you the option.” Oscar’s eyes are cold, but there’s a hint of pleading somewhere deep within them .
“I... I can’t,” I hear myself whisper. “I promised.”
And I did . But it’s a promise I’d happily break if my family’s safety wasn’t at stake.
Clearing my throat. I shake off my wavering and match Oscar’s cold stare, my stubbornness rushing to the surface.
“If Red isn’t offering me the option of walking away, then our deal still stands, and therefore I’m going through with it. ”
I push the paperwork against his chest and nod towards Red’s office. “I’m not signing it, so let’s just get this over with.”
Without waiting for a response, I stride away before my nerve deserts me. Taking a deep breath, I prepare to sign myself up to a life even more unbearable.