I bite my lips to keep from talking, turning to face to the crowd.
He stands up and adjust his tie, passing me a mocking look before heading to the bar stand where my father is standing. I see him whispers something in my father's ear and he stiffens, suddenly clenching his jaw in annoyance.
He looks over at I and Serene and beckons on her to come over.
Some minutes later, a tired looking Serene walks back.
" We need to go!" She yells over the loud music playing.
I nod and get up with the help of her hand, thankful that I could leave.
As soon as we get to my room, I lay sprawled on the bed and close my eyes, sighing.
"No. You can't do that. You need to get changed and leave right away." Serene says as she lifts one of my shoes.
"Leave? Right now?" I ask, raising a brow in confusion.
"Mhm. Your father says you need to leave immediately. Your groom's family is waiting to receive you."
"Don't call him that." I say with a scowl.
"I'm sorry but you really have to go. I only brought you here so you could be in here one last time."
'one last time?'
"What do you mean 'one last time'?" I question.
She crosses the room to sit next to me and place my hand in hers.
"Eirlys, I overheard your father talking to Theron. I don't think you'll ever come back here."
"What does that mean?" My heart races as I push back the fearful thoughts
It couldn't be.
"Eirlys, your father.... he's sold you off." Serene finalizes, a strange intensity in her eyes.
"And it's far worse than you think."
Beads of sweat form on my forehead, my hands shaking as anxiety violently shoots through my entire body. My feet feel like lead as I drag myself down the stairs toward the wedding hall. Below, my father stands with his back to me, his posture straighter than a ruler—calm, yet as dangerous as a tiger on the hunt.
I take a sharp breath, tapping his shoulder lightly as I reach the last step. He turns to look at me and nods, offering his hand. I clasp it, avoiding his gaze, waiting for him to walk us in. Serene and Rhea stand behind us, their expressions unreadable.
"You should know what to do and how to behave in there. Do you understand?" he says, a sharp edge to his voice.
I nod, nearly cowering in fear.
With that, he pushes open the giant doors to the wedding venue and steps in, my hand firmly held in his. Applause erupts as I try to muster a smile, scanning the crowd for him.
"Watch your step," my father's voice thunders in my ear.
"Sorry," I murmur, feeling my eyes prickle as we approach the altar.
Theron stands there, his intense gaze piercing my skin as I struggle to match my father's pace. I avoid looking at him, my hands shaking as I wipe sweaty palms on my dress, desperate for an escape.
Heat floods my body as Theron's eyes fixate on me, a mocking satisfaction dancing in his gaze. I think back to that night and fight the urge to visibly cringe at myself, ashamed of my own lack of control.
The priest's voice breaks through my thoughts, asking us to say our vows. Theron speaks first, his tone quick and irritated as he says, "I do." Then the priest turns to me, repeating the words and waiting, his patient smile feeling more like a smirk.
Sweat beads on my forehead, and I shift my weight from one foot to another, turning to look at the expectant crowd. Time feels suspended, the only sound the ticking of the giant clock.
I open my mouth, my lips quivering, then close it again. My father coughs from the front row, urging me on. Serene nudges me from behind, and I stumble forward. Theron catches me, his fingers digging into my shoulder and lingering a moment too long.
Applause rises again, but I can't focus. My mind feels blank. I force the words from my mouth, sealing my fate.
"I do."
The priest's words blur as he pronounces us man and wife. The crowd claps, leaning forward with anticipation. Theron takes a step toward me, his hand gripping my waist. I recoil, but his smug look warns me not to make a scene.
He pulls me close, his lips brushing mine as I press them tightly shut, anger surging through me. I bite down hard, drawing blood. He pulls back, wiping his lip with a hiss. The crowd misreads our tense exchange, cheering wildly.
When the ceremony finally ends, we take our seats. The rich scent of sandalwood and vanilla engulfs me, bringing me back to the present. I force myself not to look at Theron.
"You smell delicious," he breathes, his baritone voice close to my ear. I turn to glare, hate burning within me, but my mind betrays me, replaying the warmth of his lips.
"Too stunned to speak?"
I bite my lips to hold back my words, facing the crowd instead.
Theron stands and adjusts his tie, throwing me a mocking look as he heads to the bar where my father is waiting. I watch as he whispers something, and my father's jaw clenches. He looks over at me, then beckons Serene.
Moments later, a tired-looking Serene returns to my side. "We need to go," she yells over the loud music.
I nod, letting her pull me to my feet. Relief floods through me as I leave the hall.
In my room, I collapse onto the bed and close my eyes, sighing.
"No. You can't do that. You need to change and leave right away," Serene says, lifting one of my shoes.
"Leave? Right now?" I raise an eyebrow, confused.
"Mhm. Your father says you need to leave immediately. Your groom's family is waiting to receive you."
"Don't call him that," I snap, unable to hide my anger.
"I'm sorry, but I really mean it. I brought you here so you could be in here one last time."
One last time?
"What do you mean?" I ask, sitting up, heart racing.
She crosses the room, sitting next to me and taking my hand. "Eirlys, I overheard your father and Theron talking. I don't think you'll ever come back here."
A chill runs down my spine. "What does that mean?"
Her eyes meet mine, a strange intensity in them. "Eirlys, your father…he's sold you off."
My blood turns cold as her final words hang in the air.
"And it's far worse than you think."