XOXO

Prologue - Violeta

Parental expectations and their guilt should be an Olympic sport.

The rehearsal dinner was beautiful, planned by my mother, all the way down to the meticulously designed drinks and monogrammed towels in the bathroom.

It was definitely not what I had pictured when I planned my wedding, but it was beautiful none the less.

This was way out of my budget, but this wedding was about more than just getting married, but specifically about my union with Lorenzo Villalobos.

My father’s future business partner, who owned more than half of the telecommunication industry in Latin America, was already making headway in America too.

Our marriage would solidify our fathers’ working relationship as they had plans to dominate the world.

That might sound extreme, but they were trying to take over several industries and the more money my father made, the more he wanted.

It was scary how much he had changed since I was little.

Even five years ago to today, there was a big difference in him.

“Violeta.” My mother pulled me to the side. “Where is Lorenzo?”

“I don’t know, he probably left,” I said, looking around, not interested in finding him.

“Are you going to stay at the house tonight?” she asked, fixing my hair.

“No mamá,” I said, trying not to sigh. “I’m staying at my apartment.”

“Mija, that's nonsense,” she said, waving to someone who passed by. “The make-up artist and hairstylist will be there at eight-thirty. It makes more sense if you are already there. We can’t afford to run late.”

“We marry at four in the afternoon mamá,” I said, wishing I could have another glass of wine.

“You're lucky I said eight and not six in the morning like I had wanted,” she chuckled, waving at some of the guests who were still hanging around.

I sighed. “Mamá…”

“Could you just be happy for once, Violeta Jazmín?” she snapped. “This week your attitude has been horrible. You’re getting married. Deberías darle gracias a Dios.”

You should thank God.

I don’t think he was the one who pushed for this union.

“Yes, give thanks to god that I’m in an arranged marriage,” I said, rolling my eyes.

She glared at me using the look that used to send fear through me the moment I saw it. It always sent me into a panic hurrying to make something better so I didn’t have to suffer the look. Now, I was so overwhelmed that I welcomed her anger because two could play that game.

“You’ve known Lorenzo your entire life and you should be glad he wanted to marry you.” She grabbed my upper arm tightly. “You’re getting old, and we don’t know how much longer you have to make babies. No seas una pendeja.”

Don’t be a stupid girl.

“Babies?” I ignored her calling me dumb. “We agreed, I will not be popping out babies like it's my only use. I have a career that I worked hard for and—”

“Oh please, Violeta. All you do is play on that computer,” she said dismissively.

I took a deep breath, ready to let her have it because I did not just play with computers. I was fluent in six languages and I wrote programs in those languages. Not to mention, I had created an app that taught people languages based on how they learned.

“Violeta, are you getting a ride home with your mother?” Lorenzo asked, looking at the server who had waited on us, like I wasn’t even here, as he took a sip from his fourth Chivas.

“I’m going home,” I said, walking away because I could not stand another moment with them.

The urge to call off this wedding had been getting more intense as each day passed.

“Home?” he snapped. “I thought we agreed—”

“You asked and I said no. I am going to spend one more night in my home,” I said, continuing to walk towards the exit.

If I didn’t leave now, I was going to lose it. Walking out eased my annoyance, each step away from the venue released the tension I didn’t realize I had been holding onto.

“Violeta!” Lorenzo’s voice brought all the tension back.

“Yeah?” I turned around realizing I was alone with him.

I thought I’d be safe with the valet close by, but it seemed they were picking up cars.

“What the fuck was that?” he snarled, still carrying his Chivas that looked miraculously refreshed.

“What was what?” I played stupid to make this go faster and hoped he didn’t explode.

He grabbed my upper arm, tightening his grip until I flinched from the pain.

“No seas pendeja,” he growled, yanking me forward.

Don’t be a stupid girl.

“Hey!” I shouted when his grip tightened again. “Lorenzo, let me go.”

I tried pulling away, but even four scotches in, his strength overwhelmed me.

“Why do you have to be so fucking stubborn?” he snapped, pushing me toward a nearby car. “I don’t know what’s been up your ass, but you better fix it before tomorrow. Just do as you're told and this will go so much smoother.”

I stared at the man who used to be the sweetest boy. He was even an adorable teenager promising to keep in touch as we went to separate colleges.

What happened to him?

“Do I make myself clear?” he spat, taking a drink of his scotch, finishing it in one go.

“Lorenzo, let me go,” I said, attempting to pull away again, unease settling in my gut. “You’re drunk and you need to go home.”

He laughed, menacingly making the hair on my neck stand up.

“Oh, Violeta,” he said, yanking me closer, grabbing my chin painfully. “You don’t tell me what to do. We are going to be married and if you just shut up and make some babies, this will be a lot easier for you.”

It wasn’t a new threat, this wasn't the first time he had handled me roughly. The rage in his eyes made me realize that this might be the beginning of a dreadful marriage. I had made excuses for him and I had been stupid for doing it.

“V!” My brother shouted.

“Go to your mother’s, I will not ask again,” he sneered, letting go of me.

My heart beat erratically. Fear slithered through my veins as I tried to calm down.

“Hey, are you ready to go home? Maya has the room set up for you,” my brother, Mario, asked, looking between us warily.

“Oh, well I’m glad she’s going home with you,” Lorenzo said, his charming smile perfectly in place.

“Yeah, we figured it might be easier for V.” He narrowed his eyes on Lorenzo, reaching out for me.

I walked to him quickly as the need to run overwhelmed me. My entire body was telling me to get the fuck out of here and not just right now, but to run away from this marriage.

“Great, I didn’t want her staying by herself tonight.” Lorenzo played the dutiful fiancée.

“Did you forget you and Maya planned a girl’s night? Your last night as a single gal,” he said, effortlessly lying.

“Shit, I did forget,” I said, getting myself under control to keep this lie up.

“Hey, girl! I got the champagne chilling.” Maya walked over, looking between all of us. “Girl, did you forget? Oh wait, weren’t we going to your place to pick up your shoes for tomorrow?”

My brother didn’t deserve Maya.

“All you had to do was tell me that, Violeta,” Lorenzo said, rolling his eyes. “Why does everything have to be a fight with you?”

I opened my mouth to say something when he raised his hand.

“I’m leaving her with you,” he said, smiling at my brother and hugging Maya.

We watched him leave when Maya threw her arm around me. “Let’s go. You need to sleep for the big day tomorrow.”

Mario sighed, following us to his car. The ride to his house was silent, I expected a reprimand or something telling me not to upset my husband, but it never came.

We pulled up to a quiet neighborhood that didn’t fit the life my brother and his wife were exuding.

You would think they lived in a mansion, but they lived in a barndominion with a few acres to their name.

They had a few neighbors that were spaced out to give everyone their own privacy, but they were within walking distance. The home was beautiful, it was something my father and mother hated, it didn’t scream status like they liked.

Mario opened the door for me as I kept my eyes down, not wanting to answer questions about what had happened back there.

Maya threaded her arm in mine as silent support, leading me through the house once we had left our shoes at the front of the house.

I had my own bedroom with an ensuite in their home and I didn’t appreciate it enough.

I sat on the bed as Maya entered my bathroom.

“I started the bath for you with some lavender and Epsom salts. I’ll bring back some clothes you can wear to sleep,” she said sweetly.

Maya was only a few years older than me. She was a great mother to my nephews and niece, which only highlighted just how truly shitty my mother was.

“Thanks, Maya,” I whispered, getting choked up.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but she left before she did.

I didn’t know if I should be grateful for her silence or disappointed because I needed to talk to someone.

I laid on the bed for a moment, trying not to cry, but I was unsuccessful.

I couldn’t do this anymore. Life with Lorenzo was becoming more and more grim.

“V.”

Mario was leaning against the door frame already dressed in sleep clothes.

“V, don’t cry,” he said walking towards me. “Getting married isn’t that bad.”

I cried harder at his words.

“Fuck, V, don’t cry. Everything will be ok,” he said, pulling me in for an awkward side hug.

“I don’t think I can do this, Mario,” I hiccuped.

He sighed. “I don’t know what is up with Lorenzo, the business must be getting to be too much.”

“No. He's been different since I came back.” I wiped my face. “I thought I could do it for our parents, but every week I see something new I really don’t like.”

“After college things changed. Once he started working for his father, it’s like something switched in him,” Mario said, rubbing my back. “I don’t know if it was the pressure or if money has really changed him.”

“I don’t care, but I can’t do this, Mario,” I cried.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” He pulled away to look at me.

“I thought…I thought we needed time to get back to how we used to be,” I murmured. “But that never happened, it's like he hates me.”

Mario shook his head. “I know—”

“Oh please, don’t make excuses for him,” I cut him off. “We’ve been engaged for six months, I've been back for almost a year. Nothing is going to change.”

“So, what are you saying, V?”

“I don’t think I can marry him,” I whispered.

“Mom and dad are going to be pissed,” he said, running his hand through his hair.

“She needs to leave and not tell them,” Maya said from the doorway.

“Maya,” Mario gasped.

“This whole arranged marriage is stupid, you’ve even said so yourself, Mario,” Maya sat next to me.

“She’s right. If I have any chance of stopping this marriage, I have to leave,” I said, getting nervous we were even talking about this. “If I attempt to break it, I’m going to be coerced into the marriage, whether I like it or not.”

Could I really leave?

“Fuck, are we really entertaining the idea of being a runaway bride?” Mario looked between us.

“If you leave, I'd ask you to do it tomorrow after someone sees you,” Maya said. “I’ll help you leave and get on a plane, but I know your parents are going to blame Mario and we know how that’s going to go.”

“I don’t want you to pay for my mistakes,” I shook my head. “If I leave it will be tomorrow.”

“Good, I think—”

“Whoa…Whoa, I think we should sleep on this,” Mario said with a little bit of shock.

“You saw how he handled her. It’s a matter of time before he gets worse or even hits her.” Maya stared at Mario in disbelief.

“Maybe we can do it after they—”

“No, I can’t marry him. It’s better if I leave before we get married,” I said, grabbing his hand. “I have to do it now or else I’ll never leave.”

Mario looked at his wife and then me. “Ok, but we need a solid plan.”

I jumped forward and hugged my brother. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he mumbled. “We have to be smart about this.”

We spent the rest of the night planning how I would leave. It was hard to relax after that. The plan kept going through my head over and over with what I needed to do before I got to my mother’s house.

Just one more night and I would be a free woman.