Chapter Four

I met my gaze in the floor-length mirror, a shiver running down my spine. My russet-coloured curls were arranged elegantly atop my head, resembling a crown. The stark white strapless gown, its sweetheart neckline edged with delicate scallops hugged my curves like a second skin. Its bodice, meticulously tailored clung tightly to my stomach, confining me like a cage. Below, the fabric flowed in a graceful train, currently held aloft by Carmen’s bustling figure. Her loud hums were out of place in the charged silence of the room.

In the brief time I had known Carmen, I had grown slightly weary of her. I was tired of her boundless optimism and relentless desire to see the best side of any situation. I wondered how she could work closely with someone as joyless as Levi.

“Today’s your big day!” she trilled, letting go of my train and looking at me through the mirror.  “How do you feel?”

“Like I’m floating on a cloud,” I replied sarcastically. She beamed at this and busied herself with adjusting my veil. Carmen was also impervious to sarcasm.

The doors of the bridal suite burst open at that moment and one of the many nameless wedding assistants that milled about like ants walked in.

“The ceremony is starting now,” she stated with a small bow.

“Oh my! Oh my! It’s finally starting!” Carmen said excitedly, doing a little dance on the spot.

My breakfast of a bagel topped with cream cheese that I had eaten  earlier that morning curdled in my stomach. This was it. If I walked out of those doors and down the aisle, I would be inextricably linking myself to Levi Strauss-Jackson, a man who seemed to hate the very ground I walked on. I would be placing myself directly in the midst of the people I suspected had killed my father. My eyes locked on the clock, its relentless ticking amplifying the turmoil within me. Its hands moved with an agonising slowness, each tick echoing the inevitable approach towards my doom. A rebellious whisper echoed in my mind: you can still escape, you can still walk away and rewrite this ending. I could choose to run away, relocate with my inheritance, forget about the Strauss-Jackson family and spend the rest of my life trying to fill the gaping hole my father had left in my heart.

“I’m sure your parents would be proud of you,” Carmen said, stretching her arm out to mine, her eyes glassy.

Hearing those words, my resolve strengthened. No, I couldn’t turn around and run and hide like a coward. Even though I was scared, I had to find out the truth about what happened to my father. I had to honour his memory and honour his life. I would do that by making sure that whoever had hurt him would not get away with it. Not on my watch.

I took a deep breath, taking Carmen’s hand and walking towards my future.

I could see uncle Steven waiting for me at the entrance to the wedding hall. Walking up to him, I link his arm in mine.

“Hey kiddo. You ready for this?” his eyes held a flicker of regret as they met mine. I let the silence stretch between us, mirroring the distance that had grown between us since the will reading.  My anger was still raw and potent, threatening to boil over. It was a constant reminder of the wound that hadn’t yet begun to heal.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said to him, my smile an olive branch.

“Then let’s do this,” he said, giving my hands a tight squeeze.

As the doors opened and I stepped into the hall, I felt like a Roman  gladiator entering the Colosseum. The assembled wedding guests, now standing along the aisle, resembled intrigued spectators, their gazes holding a mixture of anticipation and unease. Some of them held up their cellphones, recording the moment. I guess I was going to have to get used to commanding a lot of people’s attention as Levi’s wife. At the end of the hall stood Levi, resplendent in a three-piece suit, exuding an aura of arrogance. He appeared as my opponent, the hungry lion, his gaze predatory and awaiting my arrival with bared teeth, seemingly prepared to engulf me whole. The once-joyful Wedding March now sounded like a funeral dirge in my ears.

I ascended the steps of the makeshift dais, the pristine white fabric brushing against my trembling legs. Across from me stood Levi, his form rigid under a tailored suit. His cold gaze held mine but I didn’t look away, letting the loathing I felt for him burn fiercely in my eyes. What a happy couple, I thought bitterly to myself, the sarcasm dripping like acid in my mind.

The minister, an elderly man with a thin fringe of white hair, sensed the tension crackling between us like an approaching thunderstorm. He cleared his throat nervously, the action prompting Levi and I to break eye contact for a moment.

“Dearly beloved, we are here today to celebrate the joining of Mr. Levi Strauss-Jackson and Miss Athena Phillips. Today, with all of you seated here as witnesses, two will become one.”

The minister began to say a few words about marriage and the enduring power of true love. I barely heard a word he said with my heart hammering in my chest and blood rushing in my ears. Across from me, Levi looked as cool and unflappable as ever.

“And now, before I lead the lovely couple to say their vows, I have to ask. If anyone here, knows any reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The wedding guests were silent, waiting with bated breath to see if anyone would speak up and interrupt the proceedings. A collective gasp filled the room as a voice, seemingly out of nowhere, shattered the silence.

“I object!” it boomed, the words reverberating through the stunned crowd.