Chapter Ten
Alicia
After the hair-stylist my sister had arranged for me leaves the bridal suite, I walk over to the full-length mirror and stare at myself, bewildered by the person I see staring back at me.
A light dusting of make-up has been applied to my face, enhancing my features. My hair has been curled and sprayed so that it holds in the half-up, half-down style it's been made into.
I run my fingers across the small heart locket that's secured around my neck as my eyes drop away from the mirror, continuing to examine myself.
The ivory dress that's plastered to my skin is uncomfortable, but beautiful nonetheless. The top half is a satin corset with a sweetheart neckline, which is practically squashing my breasts, and it's cinched so tight that my waist looks smaller than it should.
From the tapered waist, the skirt widens slightly, flowing out around me. The folds in the satin from top to bottom add some shape to the dress, and the split down the left side of the skirt, which exposes far too much skin, has my stomach clenching.
As much as I dislike the dress, I have to admit it's beautiful, and it compliments my body well.
"You look stunning," Louise says, walking over to me with my bouquet in hand.
I turn to her, a small smile playing on my lips.
At first, when she knocked on my door and suggested helping me get ready, I was cautious, but as soon as she told me she'd spoken to my sister before picking out my wedding dress, and had chosen one that would knock Dominic on his arse, it was confirmed to me that this woman is an icon, and I willingly let her inside.
"Thank you, but I feel like I can't breathe."
She chuckles, gently placing her hand on my arm as she moves next to me, joining me in the mirror.
Her dusty pink dress matches the roses mixed into my bouquet, and the white blazer she has on highlights the corsage on her wrist, which is made up of small pink and red roses, and some white gypsophila to break up the colours, as is my bouquet.
"I apologise for that, but Ellie and I both agreed you would look fabulous in this dress, and I have to admit, we were correct. Wouldn't you agree?"
I glance over myself again before nodding.
"Yeah, I do."
I glance at the clock on the wall, and tears begin to well in my eyes.
Ten minutes.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I turn away from the mirror and walk over to the stark white bed in the middle of the room and sit down beside the box that has my shoes inside.
"Alicia," Louise says, gently placing my bouquet down and moving to sit beside me as I take the glittering heels from the box and place them on the floor.
I look towards her, and her shimmering eyes halt my movements, confused as to why she looks on the verge of crying.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Yes, dear. I just… well, I hope I don't say anything out of line here, or anything to cause you upset, but I just wanted to say I, too, had to go through my wedding day without my mother present.
Although, at the moment, you see this marriage simply as a transactional situation, it is still an important day in your life, one where you should have someone with you to offer you support and help calm your nerves. "
She pauses for a moment, looking away from me and blinking rapidly to try and clear the tears gathering in her eyes.
"When you told me your sister also wouldn't be attending the wedding, my heart hurt for you. This is a scary situation. Your whole life is about to change. I'm glad you allowed me to be of some help today. So, thank you for letting me in earlier."
Grief floods me, and my eyes fall shut as I will myself not to cry at her words.
I was up half the night, crying with Eliana as we spoke about our mother, discussing how hard it has been for both of us to go through life without her, and how devastating it will be to not have her with us on our wedding days.
Ellie almost changed her mind last night about coming because she wanted to be here for me if I needed her, but I told her I'd be fine.
When Papá was driving me here early this morning, we spoke about my mother, and he gifted me the locket I have on today. Inside is a picture of me, Eliana, and my mother from many years ago, and although it made me cry, it made me feel better about today, knowing I have her with me.
She's always with you, mija.
My father's words echo through my mind, and I open my eyes as I sigh, reaching down for my shoes and start slipping them on.
"Thank you, Louise. I appreciate you being here," I tell her, glancing at her, hoping she can see my words are genuine. "Now it's my turn to say something I hope doesn't upset you—it's a wonder to me that someone as kind as you birthed such a surly man."
She laughs, shaking her head.
"I promise you, darling, he's not as bad as he seems. He can be grumpy, and sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks, but deep down, behind the barriers he puts up, he's as sweet and caring as my other children. They just all have different ways of showing they love and care for someone."
I frown. "Other children? I thought you only had two."
"I do, technically," she says, nodding. "I also class Jessica and Jaylen as my children, though."
I raise my brows in surprise, and she clears her throat as she stands from the bed, smoothing out her dress.
"Their mother was my best friend, as well as my sister.
We thought it was fate when we were arranged to marry the King brother's.
We were over the moon, knowing we'd be able to remain close and see each other all the time, support each other through everything we'd have to go through when marrying strange men we didn't know…
I didn't realise that it was too good to be true. "
Her hands tremble as she fiddles with the corsage on her wrist and stares out the window, a haunted look in her eyes.
"While I fell in love with Michael and his kind nature hidden behind his steel walls, Hayley was discovering Darren's cruel side that no one knew about.
She somehow managed to convince me for years that she was happy with him, that everything was perfect.
I was so lost in my own happy bubble, I didn't realise the lies she was spewing to me.
" She takes a deep breath, shaking her head.
"When the twins were eight, Jaylen had woken up in the night and heard her screaming, so he went to see if she was okay, and he walked in on Darren beating her. "
Tears drip down her cheeks, and she swipes them away quickly.
My heart stutters in my chest, and I move towards her, wrapping my arms around her, wanting to offer some comfort as she continues telling me the horrific tale.
"When Darren saw him, he chased after him, and that was the moment when Hayley realised she needed to get help.
She called me, crying and screaming as she was stumbling through the house in search of them both.
Michael and I rushed over there, and as we got to the door, the heartbreaking sound of a gunshot echoed through the phone.
By the time we got inside and found them, it was too late.
She was bleeding out, Jaylen was wrapped around her, covered in her blood, and Darren was stood there, his gun still pointing at them. "
She sniffles against my shoulder, her tears dripping onto my skin.
"Michael thought he was going to shoot Jaylen next, so he shot Darren before he could cause any more devastation. We called an ambulance, but they didn't get there in time. Since that day, I've taken care of Jessica and Jaylen. Raised them as if they were my own."
"I'm so sorry, Louise," I whisper, holding her close.
"Me too," she says, squeezing me before pulling away and wiping at her face. "This is your wedding day, and here I am telling you a story filled with horror."
She shakes her head, and I rub my hand along her arm.
"It's okay, honestly. It's not like this is a happy day, anyway. Besides, I was the one who asked, and I'm sorry for that. I think you're an admirable woman, and although I'm not thrilled about this marriage, I am glad I've had the honour of meeting you."
Knocking at the door interrupts us, and we both jump slightly at the loud noise vibrating through the room.
"It's time, mija," my father says through the door.
Louise grabs my hands, holding them in hers as she stares at me with so many emotions swirling around in her eyes.
"Keep your chin up, and enjoy this day. If my son continues with his grumpiness, feel free to come and find me, Jess, Sophia, or Rory. We know what he's like, and we'll happily put him in his place, just as I assume you would, too. We're all here for you, okay?"
I nod as warmth fills my chest.
"Thank you."
With one last squeeze of my hands, she moves towards the door, opening it and letting my father inside as she walks down the hall.