4

The days flew by. Now it was fact: Only two days to go.

I run my hand over the long blue floral dress I wear as I listen to Gina and Celina fight over which dress my younger sister should wear. The bridal shower will begin as soon as the guests arrive. So, in about 15 minutes.

Celina complained about having to wear a pink dress, while Gina looked at her as if the youngest were a doll in her favorite outfit. I smile at the scene, but soon my smile fades. Celina is eighteen, which reveals that she is of marriageable age, and her presence at this tea just confirms it. I push that thought away, knowing that would be impossible. I was in charge of that myself.

There's a knock on the door and I walk over to it, tucking a dark strand of hair behind my ear.

Francisca, my cousin, appears and smiles tensely. "I'm sorry I came earlier.

- No problem. — Make room for her to enter the room.

Francisca is next to. Super kind and only twenty-five years old. I know that she was married at eighteen to a consigliere of the Chicago organization. She is now pregnant with her first child.

We sat on a couch and waited. At the door, Scott, the blond he'd taken me to the ball with, is serious, keeping an eye on anything that needs his attention.

—Scott. "The same looks at me." 'I think you can leave now... Tea is for women only.'

He looks at me for a few seconds and then walks away. snort.

Kaanadan made a point of dismissing Julius and putting one of his own to watch over me, which only makes me hate him more.

"Has your husband already assigned one of his men to be your bodyguard?" Francisca looks at me and I sigh.

“He's not my husband yet. - She nods apologetically. “But yeah… And that's totally exaggerated.

"Doesn't seem to like it."

— I hate...

“Yeah, they tend to be pretty overprotective of us.

I look at her and smile tightly. “I don't think it's just protection.

She nods tensely.

Minutes pass and soon the room is full, with several women sitting around with glasses of champagne in one hand. The place was full of gifts, ranging from lingerie and jewelry to bond coupons for hours already paid in spa and shops. The next box was handed to me and I opened it, pulling out an item that could have been ANYTHING but a nightgown. It is made of thin fabric and is almost completely transparent. In addition to short. Too short.

Malicious squeals flooded the room and I took a deep breath not to put it away again never to take it out.

“For the wedding night. — Kaanadan's aunt Jane said excitedly. — I'm sure my nephew will love it, and be well pleased as well.

Celina discreetly smoothed my back and I sucked in a breath, giving Jane a slight smile. - Thanks.

Thanks nothing!

“I got so excited about my day. I was dreading the sheet test too much.

I stopped and looked at Jane, who was talking to everyone here. "Test of the sheet?"

- Do not know? She looked at me, turning her body towards me. “It's a tradition. After the couple's wedding night, the parents and anyone who wants to see them, go to the bride and groom to get the bed sheet. There will be proof of your honor and purity, which will be exposed in the house.

I widened my eyes and turned to Ginny, who was pressing her lips together as she looked at me.

“Oh. - I managed to say.

I put the nightgown away and then closed the box, setting it aside. Then the conversation began to roll, and all that marked was the night of each of them. Not kind were their husbands. One only got used to the pain months later. The other said it didn't hurt, but it was a terrible nuisance. And she had others, that in addition to suffering at night, she ended up saying that today is perfect ... Hi?

It was a relief when it was all over. I said goodbye to the last gift and then closed the door, turning to see Gina looking at me hesitantly.

“You could tell me about this test. Oh God... - I say nervous and too tense.

I expected anything but that. Now it would just be another confirmation that I couldn't run away. I will have to bed with Kaanadan.

***

The day before, my family and I moved into the Salvatore mansion. Celina and I shared the room, knowing that I needed calm and something to reassure me. I needed her.

The house was huge and very beautiful. From my bedroom window, I could already see the workers arranging the pavilion that will serve as a church tomorrow. In the large green garden at the back of the house, with an incredible view. Every bride's dream...

But not mine.

Kaanadan is in one of his apartments and will only come for the wedding. All this so as not to fall down with me before the ceremony, so as not to bring bad luck. As if it could be any worse than marrying him.

Walking around the mansion, Celina seems more tense than when we arrived. I stare at her for a few minutes, waiting for her to say what's up, but when she doesn't, I'm the one looking for words from her.

- What happened? - I ask and see her looking at the horizon.

A light breeze hits our faces and she sighs.

- I don't want you to go... -Says low. “I don't understand why you surrender so quickly. - She stops and looks at me. — You never accepted this marriage. He always knocked on the game table, seeking to change our father's decision. You dreamed so much to get out of this world and out of nowhere you agreed to sink deeper into this one that you are so repulsed by. Why?

A lump formed in my throat. Celina was looking at me and I wanted to say everything, from the agreement with our father to my true intention. But no, he couldn't.

“I have no way to escape. Not getting married would only make the organization worse and that would affect your protection and Túlio's, who is still a teenager. That's up to me and I don't want to make it worse.

Celina looks at me seriously. - It's not that. But you don't say.

I sigh and look at the same horizon. The sun was already orange, setting in the late afternoon.

“Mother didn't love our father. Celina began. — She married to pay our grandfather's debt and so that he wouldn't die. — I keep silent. This story is well known. "She endured so much to kill herself in the end, Celeste... Even we couldn't save her." Not us, the daughters themselves.

By eye. - Do not say that. She wasn't going to do what she did.

"And why did you do it?" - She looked at me. “Why did she leave us alone with this monster we have to call a father? Didn't she want us to change our future? So why didn't she stay to help us?

Another knot. I swallowed hard and hugged her tightly.

— I don't want you to do like Mom... — Celina whispered in tears.

- I am not going. I swear. - I kiss the top of her head and rest my chin on it, letting a lone tear fall.

Celina looked at me and I looked at her.

"But what if Kaanadan...

The silence. “He wouldn't dare mess with me, not least because I would never go into it without a complete alphabet plan.

"And when is it over?"

I stand firm. “I start all over again.

She nodded and we smiled weakly. I hugged her back and took a deep breath.

Tomorrow it would all start and no, I'm not prepared. I used green for luck, I didn't fall with Kaanadan to ward off bad luck... But the truth is, my nightmare wouldn't go away even for that. But I had a plan since my mother died. And I will fight for him whether directly or not.

***

- Is today!

Gina let out as I woke up.

I dragged myself out of bed and she looked at me. The room was full, everyone was looking at me, and I nodded in mock excitement.

- Is today...

[..]

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A bride with a unique and wonderful dress: the tail of the veil was huge, the skirt very round and high, covering the underskirt, the tight waist in a square neckline, where my shoulders were bare by the straight horizontal straps. All the details were hand-laced and looked whiter in the sunlight.

— It's wonderful... — Ryan, who came from Brazil just for that, said close to my ear, while holding my shoulders and looking at me in the mirror.

“Kanadan will love seeing you like this. — Aunt Rose, my father's sister, said smiling.

I looked at Gina in the mirror and demonstrated my apex of tranquility bordering the limit. She, who is already dressed for the wedding, doesn't take long to politely send everyone out of the room.

Celina approached with a box in her hands. Her black hair was fully tied back, while her green dress was looser. She looked at me and I turned to her. The box was opened, revealing a set of diamond earrings and necklace with a few touches of white gold.

“Kanadan must shit money. That must be worth a fortune. - She said as soon as she looked at the jewelry.

"He wants to buy me with them." - I say picking up the jewelry and putting them on.

Conversations and laughter from the guests come to a close outside with a snap. Celina and I turned together towards the window, where the younger one accelerated her steps to check what it was.

“They're putting away their weapons. She commented still looking outside. "Why only one?" Of course they have more for the body.

“Something symbolic. It's not real... - Just like this wedding.

Celina returns indignant. "If you want peace, why don't you act like it?"

“Because the feud is never over until you have proof of trust. — I adjust my veil with her help. "And unfortunately that's up to me."

She tightens her lips and I take a deep breath.

***

I left the room next to Celina. In the waiting room, my dad stood up, looking at me seriously. I glared at him the same way, not daring to lower my head. By the way, what good would it be to be a good daughter if in the end I would only be an exchange commodity?

My aunts looked at me smiling and I falsely reciprocated.

- Let's go. My dad lifted my arm and I took it. “Everyone is already waiting.

Gregório looked at me and unlike the other times, I could feel that he noticed my state. For a few minutes he went back to being the protective brother who perceived my emotions and fear just by looking at me. He approached and stopped us. While I was holding myself back from collapsing, he looked at me and approached my ear.

- I will be there. Calm down... If Kaanadan tries something I'll protect you.

I felt a relief that almost unsettled me. I nodded at my brother and he turned back seriously, as if he hadn't shown me a little bit of affection.

And then there were no more interruptions.

We walked through the empty house. My heels made the only sounds in the room. My heart raced the closer we got to the altar. The doors were opened as soon as we approached and soon the image of the pool was seen, with white chairs on the lawn beside which the guests were preparing for the ceremony. It was what you could see.

I focused forward. Rose petals made a carpet for my passage. Gina came over to hand over the bouquet, a cluster of pale pink flowers and a few green sprigs, and help me down with the veil. I thanked him silently and followed at Dad's side. In front of the white curtain, I took a deep breath, watching Ginny head inside.

“You know what you have to do. my dad muttered to me.

"I make your words mine."

We stared at each other and he understood, nodding.

We looked forward again and the entrance music started to play. The curtains were pulled back, my heart raced desperately and my breath hitched. Kaanadan was just ahead, not hesitating to focus me straight in the eyes.

It was today...