Page 109 of Sinful Wrath
“Okay, and…?”
“They were talking about how Mikhail’s plan is to have me call off the wedding so he doesn’t have to.”
“That makes no sense.” Elle frowns.
“It’s what I heard.”
“Well, what did Mikhail say? Did you talk to him about it?”
“What’s the point?” I shrug. "The reality is, I have to go through with this wedding regardless of our feelings for each other, or lack thereof.”
“Lucia…”
“Please, don’t.” I hate the sympathetic look she’s giving me. “Can you just help me into my dress?”
“Fine.”
Neither of us speak as I dress, the reality of what I’m about to do weighing heavily on my shoulders.
I know things could be a hell of a lot worse. I could have been like Bianca, who turned up at her wedding without even knowing she was the bride. At least Mikhail and I know each other, or at least I thought I knew him…
There is a knock on the door, then Bianca calls from the other side of the door. “Lucia? It’s time!”
This is it.
With one last deep breath, I plaster a smile on my face and follow Elle out of the room.
Bianca is waiting for us on the stairs, and her eyes light up when she takes me in. “Oh, Lucia.”
“Don’t you start crying too.”
“There’s no time for crying.” She waves a hand, fanning her face, glancing out of the window. “And it looks like your father has just arrived.”
I nod, smoothing my hands over my dress.
“Elle, would you mind carrying the train?—”
Gunshots explode in the air, and the breath leaves my lungs.
Elle grabs my arm and yanks us both down onto the floor as Bianca’s scream echoes in my ears.
“What the hell just happened?” I yell.
Bianca peers out the window, and the color slowly drains from her face.
“Bianca.”
She only shakes her head, her body trembling as she stares out the window.
I get to my feet and hurry down the stairs toward her to see what all the commotion is about. Though when I look out the window and see my father lying on the gravel, hiscrisp white shirt slowly turning red with blood, I wish I hadn’t.
“Oh, my god,” I sob, my hand going to my mouth as I fight the urge to vomit.
“Lucia, i-it’s okay.” Bianca tries to reach me, but I can barely hear her.
I run down the remaining stairs, almost tripping over my dress as I hurry to get to my father.
He can’t be dead.