“I nearly strangled her.”
“Oh.” She pauses. “Must’ve been the medication they were giving you. Probably disagreed. I’m beginning to question this facility. It seems they don’t care about their staff or patients. Poor Ashley—the only decent doctor in the place is getting terrible treatment. And underpaid!” I stiffen at the mention of Dr. Rogue. I haven’t seen her in days either. She canceled our appointment due to a family emergency, and a temp has taken her place in the clinic.
We eventually arrive at our destination. It’s a little bridal boutique named Lenore’s—everything that would make a single, loveless person’s stomach churn. And mine does. Repeatedly.
Elise is waiting with her best friend, Olivia when we go inside. She’s every bit as snooty, and privileged as you would expect the daughter of a judge to be, purposefully avoiding eye contact with me when we go over to them.
“Heidi.” Elise’s hands fall on my shoulder, and for a moment, it seems like she wants to pull me into a hug. Thankfully, she doesn’t. “Thank you so much for agreeing to be my bridesmaid. It means a lot to me.”
I should tell her that I didn’t agree to anything and was forced to keep her happy, but I don’t. Maybe because I feel slightly sorry for what she’s marrying. “Do you have any idea of what colors you want your bridesmaids to wear?” Gabriella interrupts, browsing dresses on a rack, her nose turning up at a few of them.
“I was thinking pink or gray,” she replies. “What do you think, Olivia?”
“Any would go well with the white roses you chose. And lovely for summertime.”
Slumping in one of the plush antique chairs, I listen as they continue discussing dress colors and styles. Bored out of my mind already, my thoughts a million miles away, a woman appears from behind a white floor-length curtain and wanders over to us.
Lenore, I’m guessing, given how well-to-do she looks.
“Lowdon, I presume?” she asks with a smile that screams, give me your money!
Eyeing me sagged in the chair, confusion wriggles her brow, and I’m pretty sure she’s wondering if I’ve wandered in from the street for a place to sit. I’m wearing Elise’s old clothes again. My pale and gaunt face adds to the hobo look, my hair scraped back into a scruffy knot. When she notices I’ve caught her in her staring act, she quickly averts her gaze, cheeks turning red. “Which one of you is the bride?”
“That would be me.” Elise steps forward, holding out her hand to shake Lenore’s. “It’s lovely to meet you, Lenore. My stepmother here tells me you’re the best in the city, and I have been admiring your dresses for years.”
Lenore turns to Gabriella, a grateful smile spreading over her lips. “Why, thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” Except me. “Now, Elise, would you like to go first or your bridesmaids?”
“Bridesmaids, please. I can browse while they change. I’m not quite sure what I want.”
“Of course.”
“This is my maid of honor, Olivia, and my little sister, Heidi,” she introduces us, and for some reason, it makes me think of Nicole. My real sister, who Gabriella insists doesn’t exist, wondering if she’s gotten married to Nicolas yet. He didn’t mention while he was threatening me. Though, I know love isn’t what put that cheap diamond ring on her finger. It’s just a front to hide the lies.
“Let’s get started. I couldn’t help overhearing you mention a few of the colors that are, in fact, in this season’s collection. I will take your measurements first, Olivia, and then Heidi next before we look at some dresses.”
Lenore takes Olivia away. After she finishes, she and Elise look at dresses while Gabriella stays with me. Though, I have sneaky a suspicion she’s guarding. “Smile, would you?” she says through her teeth as Lenore makes her way over to us. “You look miserable.”
“You’re next, Heidi,” Lenore says, taking my measurements with a white tape. “I think an off the shoulder gown would suit them both. Especially Heidi, such a delicate frame, and a popular choice.”
“Yes, I agree,” Gabriella nods, though I wonder how she really feels about me getting a compliment.
After choosing a few dresses for us to try on, I follow Lenore into the changing rooms. “Are you sure you don’t want help?”
“I’m sure.” The last thing I want is someone like her seeing the scars tarnishing parts of my skin. After she leaves, I lock the door.
Knowing there’s no way to get out of this, I start undressing and grab the first dress on the rail; an off-the-shoulder pale rose one. After putting it on and zipping the side, I slip on the heels Lenore provided and sigh as I observe myself in the mirror.
“You look beautiful, baby girl,” Blake says behind me, large arms encircling my waist. Ice-cold eyes slide up and down my reflection and makes me instantly sick. “Fuckable.”
He kisses my neck, and I bow my head, tearing my eyes away from the sickening sight of us in the mirror. He grabs my throat viciously, forcing me to look back into the mirror. “Stop Blake—”
“Look at yourself, baby girl.” His tongue glides up the side of my throat, his eyes locked with mine on the mirror’s surface. “This body of yours could kill a man.” He pushes me forward, slamming me into the glass. As he presses into me, I weep. “And you do kill me. You kill me and send me to heaven every time I slip right into your tight cunt.” He yanks up my dress. “Watch me go to heaven, baby.” He jerks my panties to the side, the fabric cutting into my hips. “Watch me die.”
A light knock on the door snaps me from my thoughts. I breathe out, realizing my entire body is shaking.
“I’m…I’m not
