Chapter Six; Raging Emotions

“Anderson!” I hurried to his side, not caring if I soiled the pristine wedding dress as I kneeled before him, my hands reaching out to his face to calm him down.

“Anderson!” my voice trembles with worry as my vision blurs with unshed tears as his face twists in pure agony. In a frenzy, I moved to get my phone as it was the only logical thing my mind could think of was to call for help, but before I shot up, I felt a pair of study hands wrap around me.

My body moves in accordance with gravity as I stumble into his lap, my back pressing against his chest. I could feel the subtle beat of his stable heartbeat, and a lone tear slipped from my eyes as his grip on me grew comfortingly tighter

“I’m fine,” he whispers sensually in my ear, resting his head on my shoulder as he peppers my skin with light kisses. “Don’t cry.” he cooed, his voice heavy with remorse and I did the exact opposite, biting down on my lower lip as I sobbed in pure relief. My shoulders quake as I burst into tears, dropping my head in my hands as my suppressed emotions slip out of their restraints and wet my skin. Anderson is taken aback by my reaction, so he tries to lighten up the mood by saying, “Did you think I was going to die so easily? I was merely pulling your legs Verona.” he muses, dismissing the fact that he just gave me the fright of my life. And to him, it was just a joke, a cheesy trick to get my attention.

This man was unbelievable.

Swallowing my sobs, I straighten up and wriggle out of his hold, turning around briskly to give him a harsh slap. Anderson’s head whipped to the side, his eyes wide and his mouth ajar in shock. I was also surprised at my impulsive behavior, but I couldn’t find any better way to channel my frustrations. My relief soon transitioned into boiling anger, and it was visible in the storm of my blue eyes. He may be oblivious, but my brother’s life was practically tied to his, and if anything bad happened to him, I would share the same fate because my brother was my lifeline.

Laura’s threat loomed heavy on my mind, and it was already bad enough to have my fate in the hands of a stranger, but I also had to deal with the consequences of taking up the role of a woman I barely knew.

Anderson stumbled back, his hand flying to his cheek where my slap had landed. He stared at me, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. "Verona…." he trailed off, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Don’t” I start, raising a warning finger at him, my gaze darkening maliciously despite the unshed tears that gathered at the corners of my eyes. “Don’t you ever toy with my emotions like that!” I snapped my tone firm despite the obvious tremor in my voice. I might just be breaking character, but I feared more for the turmoil that threatened to consume me whole if not released. Suppressing these emotions any further could shatter the fragile balance I've maintained, leaving me exposed and defenseless.

Every moment spent concealing this inner chaos adds weight to the burden I carry, threatening to crush me beneath its relentless pressure. If I don't confront it now, I risk losing myself entirely in the darkness that lurks within.

I didn't wait for his response as I violently wiped my tears with the back of my hands before standing to my feet. I scurry over to the master bedroom with sharp steps, not daring to look back as I shut the door behind me in a rather dramatic manner.

In the confines of the luxurious room, I feel like I can finally breathe but I’m quickly reminded that I had to face him tomorrow and my shoulders sag in disappointment. I lean against the door as fatigue racks through every fiber of my body, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. The anger still simmers beneath the surface, but now it's mingled with a pang of deep sadness, and I slide down to the floor, letting my gaze wander around the bedroom.

The glass screen windows offer a stunning view of the outside world, a peaceful landscape that seems to stretch on forever, giving way for me to see the sunset in a trail of pink and orange. The black frames of the windows create a striking contrast against the soft, neutral tones of the walls.

My eyes travel to the plush, king-sized bed, a luxurious oasis in the center of the room. It's a tempting invitation, but I resist its call for now. Instead, I let my gaze drift to the sleek desk, imagining the creative possibilities that await me there. The modern design of the furniture adds a touch of elegance to the space, enhancing its tranquil ambiance.

As I take in the room's decor, from the rich hardwood flooring to the contemporary light fixtures above, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. Almost like it was a retreat, a sanctuary where I could escape from the chaos of the world outside and find peace within myself.

My eyes water with more tears, my throat clogging up as my heart throbbed with the piercing feeling of loneliness. The realization that I had just married a man I didn't love struck me hard, along with the expectations that hovered over my head like a dreary rain cloud. At that moment, I felt suffocated by the weight of societal norms and the burden of pretending to be someone I was not, trapped in a life that felt like a prison of my own making.

I let myself salvage this moment because it would probably be the last chance I had to be myself. Starting tomorrow, I would officially be Verona Shield, and I couldn’t afford to break character. From then on, every action, and every word would be meticulously crafted to fit the role I had been thrust into.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges ahead. No more slip-ups, no more letting my emotions get the best of me.