Page 9 of Always Meant To Be

He lost me the day he forced me to sign that contract, and it doesn't matter how much he tries, I don't want anything to do with him. He did this to me, and now he has to live with the consequences.

"Elena, I allowed you to continue with school. You graduated with high honors and are now in college, studying for yourbachelor's degree. You have everything you want…." he tries to say, but I shake my head.

"You're forcing me to marry a man who was intended for my sister, a man who my sister wants." I chuckle darkly. "You sold me." I turn and look at him. "Why should I feel grateful to you when you're doing this to me."

He looks down as the door opens again; my mother, now only just gracing us with her presence, walks in wearing, what do you know, black.

I guess my sister needed more help getting ready on my forced wedding day and what's the bet her dress will be white?

"It's time; why are you holding everything up?" she questions.

I smile sweetly. "I thought if I took a lot of time, Liliya would take my place. I mean, we all know she's most likely wearing a long white dress, even though she's not innocent."

Mama glares at me, and I shake my head and turn back to the mirror again, wishing this was a dream.

"It's time, Elena," my father rasps, and tears burn my eyes, wanting to fall.

Ignoring both of them, I turn and walk out the door, knowing Mama won't lay a hand on me like she did that night I was forced to sign the contract. Once Father went out, she spent the night whipping my back, and after that, Romeo put one of his men on me for my so-called protection alongside Andrei, the same Andrei I won't have as my guard after today.

The only consolation is that he’s retiring, wanting to be home with his wife.

I dread tonight, when my husband takes my virginity and sees the scars. Not sure how I'm supposed to explain them, and I can't exactly say, “Sorry, new husband, I don't want sex tonight; I'm not feeling it”, because with a man as ruthless as Romeo, he won't be happy with a no. However, unlike me, I know he can'thave been faithful since I signed the contract, my sister has be obnoxious about how large his member is and how amazing he is in bed.

Maybe he'll leave to find her tonight instead.

One can hope.

Trying to stay strong, I stand outside the white double doors, my Mama on one side, and my father on the other. Papa grabs the hand that's not holding the white and pink lilies, placing it in his arm, but I don't look at him. Instead, I take a deep breath, trying to ignore all the men with guns, and trying my darndest not to think that behind those doors are hundreds of mafia men as well as the fricking mayor.

The “Wedding March” sounds, and nausea hits.

"Don't pass out, Elena, and just smile pretty," Mama utters.

Well, at least moving out to my husband's place would be a blessing in disguise. I no longer have to deal with her.

The doors open, and I take a deep breath. It's time to vow my life away.

I don't know; maybe we'll fall madly in love, or perhaps I'll live a life of misery because I refuse to bring a child into this world surrounded by danger and violence.

Let's hope my new husband doesn't find out about the contraceptive shot I had two weeks ago.

Two

Romeo – Age Twenty-Six

"What kindof woman wears a long white dress to her own sister's wedding?" Leonardo asks, leaning around Antonio to speak to me.

I shake my head as I straighten my bow tie, my eyes scanning the guests to ensure there's no threat, despite the hundreds of men we have surrounding the church.

Antonio snorts, answering, "A whore who wants someone she can't have while trying to play the victim."

I hum in agreement, my eyes going to the bitch. Liliya is sitting front and center, looking more like a bride than the bride's sister. Her hair is curled around her face, which is covered in so much makeup, you don't even know where her fucking skin is, and then there's the jewelry fit for a bride, right down to the black diamond choker, a replica of the one I bought Elena two years ago.

Fuck, she even has a tiara on, and Antonio's wife has been glaring daggers at her since she arrived, knowing exactly what Liliya's doing.

The woman may hate my brother but abide’s by the girl code, and my soon to be sister-in-law hopes to take her sister's place.

She hopes Elena will run, but I know she won't, and so do my brothers. Her school means everything to her; it's her way of living a normal life, and as promised, I'm allowing her to continue it after we wed.