"You cut your hair?"
Sophia's voice tears my thoughts away from my phone's screen as I raise my head upwards, my eyes falling on her reflection in the mirror in front of me.
It is my wedding but Sophia looks even more beautiful than I ever will. Instead of white, she has on a cream satin midi length dress with a boat neckline and cup sleeves. Her neck and ears are decorated with pearls and there's a ring on her left hand— Something I had never noticed before, and her hair falls straight, cradling her face.
There's also minimal makeup but of course, it's Sophia. Minimal or not, she would look like a goddess without even trying.
Her hands rests on my shoulder when she reaches me. I try my hardest not to shrug out of my grasp, especially when she's staring at me with such a pleasant smile on her face. "It still doesn't matter. You look beautiful."
All I have on is a white tiny strap A-line dress with a soft scoop neckline that reveals my shoulders and accentuates my chest, the other half of the dress more or less a skirt with pleats and the illusion of a ball gown. And of course, the train.
There's a veil on my head but I haven't put it on yet. Because I still can't believe I'm seated here. In my room dressed for my wedding. And it's not one with Dante Salvatore.
Its funny how excited I was the first time. How sure I was that I'd have a fairytale life and everything would be fine. How delusional Ethan must have seen me, I can't even imagine it. "Thanks,"
Sophia doesn't even seem to notice the lackluster tone in my voice as she begins to pat my hair, saying ever so softly, "That diamond necklace is very beautiful,"
Her words distract me enough to look at my reflection again, staring now at my neck. It sits prettily on my chest, glimmering ever so brightly that I can't help but remember how it was the first time.
Ethan had presented it to me the night before our wedding and I'd been elated that he even thought about giving me a present to begin with.
Until I found out it had been a gift from Valerie as it was a family heirloom of hers.
It irritates me so badly that I can't even stop myself from blurting out, "Wish it was yours, don't you?"
It's as if the world stops at that moment as Sophia's face breaks from the ever poised look it always is as shock and confusion scatters all over it. She moves away slightly then turns around so she's backing the mirror and facing me as she asks, "What does that mean?"
It takes all of me to smile at her. "I meant it's pretty. Anyone would like it,''
"Oh," My brain picks up the disappointment in her tone but the moment I'm about to pounce on it, she's holding my cheeks and squinting slightly, "You've been so distant lately, Ana. I know… I know I'm not the best big sister because I'm always so busy but I need you to understand that I always have your back. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"
I can't get married to Ethan. If I do, he'll treat me like trash for the rest of our married life while he shags you.
My eyes go to my phone again as I find myself swallowing. Dante hasn't responded ever since that night. I can't help but think that I'd scared him away. I don't know what's wrong with me or where my boldness comes from.
Is it because I died and resurrected?
I don't even care. All I know is if I marry Ethan, I'll kill him before he kills me.
"Is this what's distracting—?"
I see Sophia's hand moving to the phone and in the split of a second, I'm snatching it away from the drawer and clenching it hard in my hand as I snap, "Don't you fucking dare,"
The voice that comes out from me is so vicious and filled with hate but I can't help how I feel a surge of power flow through my veins as I feed on the hurt expression on her face before I say menacingly, "Do not touch what belongs to me. Ever."
Her eyes are wide, her body posture in one of fear or at the very least, trepidation. The image is so strangely pleasing that I am this close to laughing before I hear the door open.
My eyes dart to the mirror, the panic in my chest rising as I watch a certain male rest on the side of my door with his arms folded and a droopy look on his face. "Who's the bride?"
I don't answer. Instead, I rise from my seat, my hand still clutching my phone as I turn to stare at Helios Blake. He looks drunk, like he was forced to come here. It's only then I realize that this is how he looked the first time. Drunk and out of it.
"You?" He asks with clear disinterest before the haze in his eyes clear a bit before he laughs, "Hey, I know you. You're the little runt that followed Ethan everywhere. You're actually getting married to him? The lucky bastard,"
There's nothing 'lucky' about his laugh. If anything, he's mocking me in my decisions— Or maybe in disbelief. Did he know then what they were doing behind my back? Were Ethan and Sophia already fucking before now?
No. No. I don't care about this. This is the last thing a person like me should be worried about. "Can you take me to the church? I'm sure they're waiting for me already,"
I'd tried stalling but at this point, if I stay here with Sophia, I'd run mad. "Sure thing, Sister-in-law. Let's go,"
I can already feel Sophia from behind staring at me in confusion because I'd told everyone else we'd go together but I don't care. Instead, I walk ahead of Helios and in minutes, we're in his car driving down to the church.
I keep checking my phone, trying to keep myself from screaming as I bite my fingernails. I can feel Helios watching me from the rearview mirror. A bride with no bridal train or friends? Not even an excited one?
The first time we met, I'd been chattering so much because I wanted him to see me as family the way I saw Valerie but his response had been curt and simple, "If you don't shut up, I'll pull this car over and give you a better use for your mouth,"
It was all it took to make me stay away from him.
Now, he was quiet too, just watching me from the corner of his eyes.
The second we reach the church, I stay in the car staring at my screen and hoping that something would happen. Anything. But it didn't.
Not until I was meeting my parents in the lobby of the church. Not until I received some yelling from my Mother for my lateness. Not even when they made me wait until Sophia arrived.
It happens only when my father begins to walk me down the aisle and the sight of Ethan's smug face smiling at me almost causes me to puke and my phone that I put in between my breasts begin to ring loudly.
I instantly take my hand away from my Father's and pull it out. I hear gasps and Ethan's disgusted face is nearly as pleasing as the fact that I realize there's a missed call from an unknown number.
And there's also a message from it that says: The court house down at West 56th street in five minutes. Don't be late.
"Fuck, yes!" I can't help the scream that leaves my lips as I hear the guests begin to whisper before I run to Ethan and hug him. When I pull away, I say with the brightest smile I've ever felt my face make, "I'm not marrying you, thank God!"
The ghastly look on his face is so fucking satisfying! "What?"
I turn around and hurry to Helios who's seated in the front row with an amused smirk on his face, clearly entertained by my sudden outburst. He doesn't even try to hide it, and I can't help but feel a strange mix of gratitude and vindication.
I've never felt more alive than I do right now.
"Car key."
He presents it with a shrug. I mutter a thank you and I'm about to leave before I feel someone grab my arm, "Liana, what are you—"
I don't hesitate to shove my elbow into his face. The gasps are even louder now as he falls to the floor, his hand moving over his now bleeding and broken nose as I give him my middle finger, "Didn't I tell you not to fucking touch me again?"
Sophia, my Mother and Father are all around him but I don't care. I can't help the loud laugh leaving my lips as I start running down the aisle.
My freedom starts now and I can't wait!