Rosalia's pov
I didn't sleep a wink.
I've been staring at the ceiling for God knows how long, the pillow beneath my head soaked with tears.
When did my life take such a terrible turn?
I keep thinking how things would've been different,if I hadn't stumbled on that bag, if I'd just kept going. Maybe... I would've made it out.
I sniffle, turning slightly to face the man who's become my worst nightmare. I know he's not asleep,he's been turning in bed just like me.
"You've been crying for hours. Get over it," his deep, sleepy voice cuts through the silence.
I don't answer. I turn over and face away from him, biting back another sob. My shoulders shake, my breath breaks.
He grumbles, clearly annoyed, and my heartbeat picks up. I freeze when I feel him get out of bed.
"Look at me," he orders, flicking on the lights.
I bury my face deeper into the wet pillow, pretending not to hear him.
"I don't like repeating myself, Raven…"
His breath fans my cheek. He's squatted down now, level with me.
I open my swollen red eyes, lips trembling. I hate how this man has managed to dig out this side of me,the vulnerable, scared side.
His hand reaches out, hesitating for just a second before he roughly smears the tears off my cheek, a sick smirk curling his lips.
I try to move away, but his grip tightens on my chin.
"I don't understand," he murmurs, cocking his head, the light catching his sharp jaw and dark eyes. "Any woman would kill to be in your place to be my wife."
He leans closer. "Why don't you want me, Raven? Am I not good enough,or are you just scared of me?"
I sniffle but don't answer.
He hums, straightening and sliding his hands into his pockets.
"I'll be in the study. Fix your face. The wedding starts soon, and I don't want a pathetic, crying bride." His tone is cold, bitter. He checks the clock on the bedside table and heads for the door.
He stops suddenly, glancing back.
"Oh..and Raven," he says.
I sit up slightly, wiping the tears from my face.
"Julio will walk you down the aisle. Considering you have no family."
His voice is dry, emotionless.
The door clicks shut, and silence swallows me whole.
I sigh, leaning my head against the headboard. I process what he said,just another detail about Raven. She was a redhead. She worked at a brothel. And now, I know she had no family.
Poor thing.
I shouldn't feel sorry for her,I'm in this mess because of her, well not her I just stambled on a stupid bag but still… I can't help imagining how hard her life must've been.
The door slams open, making me jump.
And in walks Alessio's mother. Great.
"You look pathetic as always. Get up."
I don't move. I just stare at her..tempted, so tempted—to slap that smug expression off her face.
She stops in front of me, glaring down with disgust.
"Are you deaf?"
I roll my eyes getting out of bed , brushing past her. Her perfume hits me like poison.
"What do you want?" I mutter, rubbing my forehead, already done with this circus.
"It's your wedding day. The dress is here, your glam team's downstairs,what the fuck do you mean, what do I want?" she scoffs, heels clicking against the floor.
"The team will be here in five. Wipe that pathetic look off your face. Try looking like a fucking bride, for once," she sneers before storming off.
I walk over to the vanity mirror. The reflection that stares back at me barely looks human ,red, swollen eyes; tear-streaked cheeks; a pale, trembling mess.
I take a deep breath and step closer, forcing the tears away.
"Raven," I whisper to my reflection, as if saying the name could make the lie feel more real.
A few moments later, the door opens again.
And in they come,stylists in designer clothes, arms full of gowns, brushes, and chaos. Maria slips in quietly behind them, carrying a silver tray.
"Good morning, Mrs…," she says softly, placing it on the bed.
I manage a warm smile. They can all see it,the strain beneath it, how I'm not happy about any of this,but no one dares comment. They get to work, brushes and blow dryers humming like bees around me.
The air smells of roses and perfume, the kind that suffocates rather than soothes. Someone drapes a silk robe over my shoulders, another tugs my hair , another paints warmth back onto my face like I'm a porcelain doll being readied for display.
The gown,Raven's gown,is a masterpiece.
White, of course. Elegant lace corset bodice and a soft shimmer that catches the light like frost. I look beautiful. Too beautiful for a lie.
Maria adjusts the corset for me, her hands trembling slightly.
I meet her eyes in the mirror. There's pity there. Fear too,as if she senses what I'm feeling.
"You look beautiful," she says softly.
I force a small smile, nibbling at the breakfast she brought. I was instructed to eat after putting the dress on, so the corset would snatch my waist perfectly.
In other words, I'm suffocating—in this damn dress and everything that's happening.
"Do you like it?" Suzzy, my makeup artist, asks, placing the mirror in front of me.
It's perfect,not too much, not too little. A nude look that makes my blue eyes pop and my dimples show when I smile.
"Yeah… it's okay," I say, forcing a smile as I set the croissant back on the tray. I can't eat anything.
"Straight or curls, miss?" Max, the hairstylist, asks from behind me. I meet his eyes through the vanity mirror.
"Uh… curls are fine," I say. He nods and gets to work.
The sound of cars pulling up in the driveway makes my stomach turn. With every screech of a tire, every burst of chatter outside,it becomes more real.
Finally, I stand in front of the mirror.
The dress is a dream. The veil now sits perfectly on my head. The gown is long, adorned with diamonds and silver lines running down the fabric,it's giving princess. I hold the bouquet tightly in my hands.
The stylists leave, and I'm left with Maria,my maid of honor. She didn't want to, but I insisted. She's wearing a beautiful emerald-green silk dress. She looks amazing.
Moments later, Alessio's mother walks in, dressed in a deep blue gown, looking like she just stepped out of a magazine.
"Well… you look… nice," she says, walking closer. I don't look at her.
"Hm. Well, I have some good news for you," she says, straightening my veil mockingly.
"Julio couldn't make it," she sighs.
I tense up.
"We thought you had no family, but we were wrong. Your stepbrother is here. I'm sure you'd love for him to walk you down the aisle," she says, meeting my gaze in the mirror.
What the—?
Raven has a stepbrother? And he's here?
Oh, no. No, no, no.
This is bad. Like, really bad. Because it's obvious he'll notice I'm not his sister.
Fuck.
"Let's go!" she says, walking out first.
I swallow hard, clutching my bouquet.
I'm convinced this will be the day I die
the day my lie ends,
in a wedding dress that isn't mine.