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“Oh, sweetie, you look beautiful. I know this isn’t what you wanted, but you have to look at the bright side of things. You’re going to be well taken care of. You’ll will never have to work like your father and I do. We want you to have an easy life. You have to understand where we’re coming from.”

I don’t. I don’t understand where they’re coming from or why I have to be a pawn in their game. Am I that disposable? Did I not do enough to earn their love? How can my own mother sit here and lie to my face about the massive fate they’ve cursed me with.

Staring in the mirror at our reflections, my mom attempts to convey compassion to convince me that this is something I should want. I have nothing to say to her, not that she’d listen if I did. Her assertiveness is her worst quality, always pushing past the breaking point. That’s why everything’s already been decided and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

I could throw myself out of the window right now, because death would be better than what my parents are making me do. Unfortunately, we’re only in a one story building.

I’ve done everything I thought I could to get out of this only for everyone to make loopholes and exemptions. It became clear very fast that I never had a choice or say. I was only told that this will be my new life.

The wife of Valentine Denali, middle son of the Denali family. He’s 42 and I’m 23. He’s a monster, a killer, and the slave keeper of my parents, taking me off their hands in exchange for debt paid. I’m a transaction, nothing more. It’s not my fault my parents got in over their heads getting into bed with a mafia family, but I’m the one who has to make things right. I’m the one who has to give up my whole life so they can go on living theirs. I’m not too sure it’s worth it if I’m the only one suffering.

A sigh of frustration escapes me, a deep crease in between my eyebrows painfully clear to my mom that nothing she says can make me see this bright side of this crappy situation. Instead of acknowledging my upset, she brushes my perfectly curled hair over my shoulder. “Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do for family, Emmie girl.”

The door to the small room opens and the wedding planner dips her head in to let us know the rehearsal dinner is about to start. My mom gets up to go sit with everyone, leaving me alone to pull happiness out of my ass and act like Valentine Delani is the love of my life.

In reality, I could never love a man like Valentine. Apart from the deep scar that runs diagonally across his face, starting at his temple, trailing past the corner of his eye and across his top lip, like some to villain out of a horror movie, his less than distinguished attitude is what turns me off the most. Not for one second has he even pretended to like me, only ever gawking at my body like a toy he’s waiting to open. I basically am. I’m nothing to him except a body that he plans on using the moment we’re alone. I get sick to my stomach at the thought of having his hands on me.

Standing up, I brush my hands across the knee length white dress my mother told me was for a special occasion six months ago. I thought she meant a birthday dinner or family get together. Had I known it was forced marriage attire, I wouldn’t have been so thankful for it. I see nothing but dread behind my neutral gaze as I glance at myself in the mirror again. There’s no use in crying or kicking. My life is no longer mine and I have to accept that.

A firm knock makes me flinch and I assume it’s the wedding planner coming to get me.

“I’m coming.” I say loud enough, but the door still opens and when I peer over my shoulder, Valentine is standing there with a small box in his palm.

My heart thuds in my chest from being alone with him. A dark cloud looms over him whenever he’s near, always making me uncomfortable. There’s usually been a swarm of his family members around at all times, but now, it’s just me and him. I don’t like it.

“My darling Ember, you look gorgeous.” His slick smile contorts the scar on his face, making it move as if it has a life of its own. It scares me and I can’t imagine waking up every day to it.

“Thank you.” I force out as he approaches, holding out the little box.

I don’t want it, but I take it from his hand and pop the little top off, revealing a smaller jewelry box. When I open it, it’s a gold necklace with a cross pendant. Nothing special or fancy.

“I wanted to get you a little gift before the big day. Here, let me put it on.”

He takes the necklace out as I stare silently before sweeping my hair to one side, reluctantly turning my back to him. My stomach knots and turns as he places the necklace around my neck, leaning into me more than he needs to. When I hear him breathe me in, I try not to cringe.

“So clean. Not fresh and new thanks to that little stunt you pulled, but I’m still going to have so much fun breaking you in.” His darkened tone sends a wave of dread through me as he pushes his disgusting bulge against me.

I have to clench my hands to keep from turning around and kneeing him the crotch, not that it would change anything. It would only make things worst.

“I think everyone is waiting for us.”

“Let them wait.” His hands trail down the sides of my dress and when he goes to pull the end up, I jump away, colliding with the vanity as I turn to face him. Tears spring to my eyes, but all Valentine does is laugh as he closes the space between us.

“Please.” I beg, wishing and praying that someone would come looking for me.

Valentine reaches out as grips the front of my dress, yanking me to him so hard that I yell out in shock. My body collides with his and when I look up at him, his eyes are black, full of evil.

“Are you denying the man who’s about to be your wedded husband? A wife is supposed to obey her husband, so I suggest you get with the fucking program princess or I’ll teach you the hard way. You won’t be able to walk for days once me and my friends are done with you.”

Bile rises in my throat and it takes everything in me to choke it back down as tears race down my cheeks. Suddenly, better late than never, the planner comes rushing into the room only to jump when she sees the scene unfolding in front of her.

“Um, the rehearsal is starting.” Her discomfort is more than apparently as she trips over her words, but Valentine stares down at me for a second longer before finally letting me go.

“I’ll see you at the end of the aisle, Mrs. Delani.” He shakes his suit jacket back into place, composing himself as he brushes past the planner, leaving me in complete disarray.

The wedding planner and I both need a few seconds to compose ourselves before I follow her out to the rehearsal room. By the time we get to the double doors where my dad is standing, my tears are gone and I’m on autopilot. I don’t even attempt to smile when my dad sees me and flashes me a grin only for it to fall when I don’t return it. I want him to know how unhappy I am and that it’s all his and my mom’s fault. There’s nothing here to celebrate and I refuse to fake it.

Clearing his throat, he turns towards the door, holding his arm out for me. I slip my arm in his and the planner hands me a small mock bouquet.

“You look beautiful, sweetie.”

“Dressing me up doesn’t change the fact that I’m being sold. You sold me. So, save the sentimental talk and let’s get this over with.” I glance up at him and see the discomfort on his face, the vein in the middle of his forehead nearly throbbing with guilt. Though, not enough guilt to put an end to this.

The wedding song Valentine’s mother picked starts playing and the double doors swing open, revealing nothing but Denali’s. It’s not even the actual wedding yet and they are all here. It’s insane.

Even on the bride’s side there are more unfamiliar faces than familiar. No one I love or care about is here out of fear. I haven’t heard from my grandparents in two years after they cut us off because my parents were doing shady dealings with both the Denali and Leone families, trying to play both sides for a buck.

Soon, money began going faster than it was coming and talk of foreclosure started coming up at the dinner table a lot more in our house.

I thought our lives would get better when they were considering help from the Leone’s in exchange for simply their loyalty. Well, the Denali’s offered more just for them to turn down the Leone’s offer and when my parents saw dollar signs, they forgot to read the fine print. Once they ran through the money and things got tight again, the Denali’s knew they had them in a corner. That’s when my name started being thrown around.

The rehearsal goes smoothly and on the outside, it looks harmonious, but it’s far from it. I’m screaming on the inside, hoping and praying my parents come to their senses. I don’t care about losing our house or money as long as it means I don’t have to marry Valentine.

During the dinner, everyone is piled in the dining space, chatting, eating, and pretending. My parents are mingling with my soon to be in laws and Valentine is drinking, giving me a moment to slip outside for a breath.

It’s freezing when I get outside, winter coming faster than anyone expected. I wrap my arms around myself and start walking down the sidewalk, staring down at my feet, taking large breaths to rid myself of the consuming anxiety I feel. Tomorrow my life is over. I’ll be used and abused by my husband and whoever else he chooses to let abuse me.

My parents have to know what fate waits for me. Are they okay with me being hurt and unhappy? Does money mean more than my safety? To them it does as they’ve shown it by forcing me into marriage.

I tried to runaway once. I spent a whole weekend in another state thinking I was reaching safety only for Valentine to use his connections to drag me back. I tried a long list of things, some more extreme than others, to get out of this, but nothing worked. I’m a prisoner.

After walking for a few blocks, I realize I’m cross the parking lot of a little bar. There’s only two cars out front since it’s still early, so I decide to go in for something strong to warm me up. Might as well get a drink as my last hoorah since it won’t be long before people begin searching for me.