2. Ivy #2
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes at her as Hugo trails a step behind. My mother doesn’t even cast a glance his way, which either means she already knew he was here or whatever is going on is serious.
I don’t get a chance to compose myself before I step over the threshold into his office.
The energy around me thickens, the air suffocating as my father comes into view.
He doesn’t bother to look up from his desk, scribbling away on the paper before him.
It’s just another power play by Daddy Dearest, while my mother closes the door behind me, placing herself strategically on the other side.
I miss Hugo’s presence and the strength he offers by simply existing as I take in my father’s favorite space.
It’s like a gentleman’s club in here. The wood is dark, the walls even inkier, with the rich scent of cigars hanging acrid in the air.
The wall to my right is filled with books, each one uniform, as if they were rebound just for him to look good on his display.
The wall to my right is mostly bare, except for the two leather chairs and coffee table sandwiched between them.
An open decanter of liquor awaits his attention, but it’s not to be enjoyed with me.
I’m merely a prop, a member of his staff who must do as he says or reap the consequences.
The sun is dim as it filters in through the window behind him, casting a murky glow over the room as I wait patiently.
Seconds stretch into minutes before my father drops his pen with a sigh and finally brings his stare to mine. He assesses me, a tightness to the corners of his eyes as he purses his lips, but it’s only when he fully leans back in his seat that he speaks.
“I’ve found you a partner.”
I choke on my next breath, my hand lifting to my throat as I splutter. I barely hear his sigh over the noise, but it still manages to make my face redden. When I manage to gather myself, I clear my throat and shake my head. “I don’t want one.”
He scoffs, tapping his fingers on the desk between us. “It’s been two years, Ivy. It’s past time we salvage our family name after that debacle,” he states, and my eyebrows pinch in confusion.
That debacle has barely been mentioned since he cut off my grieving time. Why does it matter now, all of a sudden? I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me without question, but a partner? I’m good. My lips part, ready to deny him once again, when understanding quickly washes over me.
“Let’s not pretend it’s my debacle that has you finding me a partner, when we both know it’s for your own personal gain.”
He doesn’t speak as he stands, rounding the table with measured steps until he’s standing before me. He towers over me with a good few inches, but I don’t shrink as he hopes.
I should.
The back of his hand connects with my cheek, forcing me back a step as tears prick along my eyelids.
I cover the heated spot on my face as I dare to look at him, but he’s striding back around the desk just as purposefully as he left it. He retakes his seat with a sigh, straightening the lapels of his suit as his eyes meet mine, all while I stand disheveled and trembling.
“Remember your place, Ivy. I made you The Angel, I can just as soon turn you into The Devil,” he promises, and I bite back a scoff.
There’s no room for two devils in this town; he’s already enough.
His gaze dips to the paper before him as he speaks again. “I have found you a suitable partner. You will marry by the end of the month.”
I gape at him, my mind scattered and panicked as I try to figure out how to make him see reason, but the more I scramble to piece it together, the more I realize that it’s never going to happen.
My choices are gone if I give in, but what else can I do? Stay here?
A knot forms in my stomach once more, only this time, it’s at the thought of fighting back and committing myself to a lifetime in these halls.
I’m on the brink of despair. The past two years have been the worst of my life, and I refuse to lower myself and stay here with him . He’s never laid a hand on me before, and I vow never to let it happen again.
Which means putting as much distance as possible between the two of us.
The sooner the better.
My shoulders relax as I accept my fate. Everything happens for a reason, of course. Maybe this is my fate.
Standing tall, I brush my hair over my shoulder as I suck in a deep breath and nod. “The end of the month,” I clarify, and he nods, his eyes widening just a touch, but it’s enough of a tell to confirm he got what he wanted, but what he doesn’t realize is, so have I.
The reflection before me looks foreign, yet it’s me.
Those are my eyes, that’s my hair, and those lips, although pressed into a thin line, are most definitely mine. Yet the sadness that clings to every inch of me makes me numb.
It’s been like this for the past fifteen days. There’s determination in my soul, but it’s shattered into a million pieces. I’ll put it back together again one day, once I’m far away from here.
The makeup artist has gone, the hair stylist along with her, and the dress designer who worked impossible magic in such a short amount of time has finally gone home to sleep for an eternity, I’m sure.
It’s just me, tucked away in my room, catching a few soft breaths before it’s time to see this through.
There’s not a single sound to be heard or person to be seen, just me and my thoughts, and for the first time in two years, it doesn’t hurt as much.
The invisible betrayal of the four men who continue to haunt me remains, but there’s a blossoming sense of hope in my chest that refuses to let go, leaving me lighter.
Deep down, I’m a mess. I haven’t seen my father since I stormed out of his office. My mother has been a flurry of fabrics, coordinating the wedding of her dreams, while I offered no input at all. And to top it all off, Hugo had to leave due to an emergency.
I’m sure I’ll be blessed with the presence of all three of them in a moment, but it doesn’t matter either way. I just want out of here, and if that means sealing the deal with a man I have never met, nor ever seen a picture of, then so be it.
Anything is better than this. I’m nothing more than a shell, contorted to fit in their perfectly maintained box, and I can’t take it anymore.
A knock sounds from my bedroom door, tearing me from my thoughts. Before I can answer, it creaks open just enough for a familiar face to appear in the gap.
“Hey, Vee,” Hugo murmurs, a soft, yet almost sad smile on his face as he moves toward me, leaving the door ajar behind him.
I exhale, a weight I wasn’t aware I was carrying easing from my shoulders as I turn to embrace my brother. His hold is filled with warmth and strength, and I bask in it as I blink back tears.
He releases me, but quickly shuffles around so he’s behind me, looking into the mirror at the same time, our reflections peering back at us with an air of concern as he squeezes my shoulder.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this? Maybe we could run away. You could live with Lucky and be all at one with nature,” he muses, and I can’t tell whether he’s joking or not, but I think we both know I wouldn’t survive that.
I’m an outsidey kind of girl, not an outdoorsy one.
Give me afternoon tea or a picnic under the stunning rays of sunshine, but like hell would I know what to do with a tent.
“I’m good,” I promise, placing my hand over his. “I know it’s insane, but what other choice do I really have? Besides, this is better.”
“Better than what?” he asks, his brows furrowing as he looks at me head on instead of through the mirror, and I shrug.
“I’ve been abandoned once. I refuse to leave myself exposed so it can happen again. So, this is better. It’s transactional, emotionless, clinical,” I explain, hating the way the color drains from his eyes as he stares at me.
I can tell there’s something he wants to say, but to my surprise, my usually outspoken brother keeps his mouth shut as he leads me toward the door and down the stairs.
It’s daunting how quiet it is, the sound of my heart hammering in my chest guiding each step as we enter the courtyard to find a single car waiting.
“Mother and Father will meet us there,” he explains, and I scoff, but it’s no surprise when I don’t feel even an ounce of disappointment over the fact.
Instead, I let Hugo lead me to the car, where he opens the front passenger door for me.
I cock a brow at him and he winks.
“I’m your driver today, Vee. The least we can do is have some fun,” he murmurs, and I grin, accepting his help as he guides me into the car while I shuffle in my mermaid dress.
Silence consumes me, my mind quiet for what feels like the first time in forever as the engine starts and the electric gates open. As we roll to the edge of the driveway, I glance left and right.
The church awaits me to the right, but what would happen if we took a left? Hugo would do it without question, but the unpredictability of that road is more daunting than giving myself away. So, when my brother makes the right turn, I settle back in my seat.
I watch the world go by, wondering if this will be the last time I’ll see this place, because I sure as hell won’t come back here by choice.
Approaching the church, my pulse quickens as a gathering seems to have formed outside.
Instinctively, I want to put my head down and hide away, but I’m always in my role, so I push past my own wants and desires and cater to others, holding my head high with a broad smile on my face as I wave softly.
Thankfully, it’s a little more secluded where Hugo comes to a stop, parking the car in silence before hightailing it around the back to reappear at my door. He swings it open graciously, helping me out just as efficiently as he helped me in.
Wordlessly, he reaches over my head, tugging the thin lace over my face, securing the veil in place as he stares at me.
“I love you, Vee,” he breathes, his brows gathered slightly as I exhale.
“I love you too, Hugo. Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
Linking my arm through his, I let him guide me toward the small building. The soft stone and pale wooden archway make it look all whimsical and cute, and I can only hope it’s a sign of brighter days to come as I step over the threshold.
I frown when no one appears with the flowers my mother insisted upon, but I keep my mouth shut as he leads me further inside, the delicate melody from a piano filtering through the air.
Taking one final, deep breath, I look at my brother for support before turning my attention to the aisle awaiting me.
My head rears back, ice chilling through my bones as I gape in horror.
Standing at the altar isn’t an unrecognizable man I’m about to commit the rest of my life to.
No.
I shake my head, blinking rapidly, but the vision doesn’t change as my gaze connects with not one, but four sets of eyes.
Each man staring back at me is as haunting as ever.
Only this time, it’s not a dream.