TORMENTED_ Jani Kay - Jani Kay Page 0,68

open the bathroom door. It was hot and steamy with the door closed, and I was still feeling faint and queasy. With my heart beating rapidly in my ears, I wondered what was waiting for me in the room.

On the bed lay a wedding gown of pure white lace and silk. Although it was beautiful and most likely very expensive, it wasn’t what I would have chosen myself. But then, neither was the man I was getting married to. And knowing Nolan, he’d be sure to have a watertight pre-nuptial agreement in place so that I’d never escape unless he wanted it.

Maybe, if I was lucky, he’d tire of me and toss me to the side. How crazy was my situation and my thoughts? What bride went into what was meant to be the biggest day of her life with trepidation and fear, hoping for it to fail before it even started? The promise I’d made was becoming too much to bear. Would Harrison ever realize the price I was prepared to pay for his life and his freedom?

Sofia took me by the arm and led me to the vanity. I sat in front of the mirror, still and lifeless as she combed my wet hair, then dried it. I avoided looking at the gown, the symbol of my imprisonment, by turning my head so that I wouldn’t see the reflection of it in the mirror. As the minutes ticked by, dread filled my soul.

Sofia’s nimble fingers weaved flowers into my dark hair. Their sweet fragrance filled the room, and I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. She made a strange soft humming noise, as if she was trying to soothe me. I loved that she tried to help me in whatever small way she could.

Eventually, I had to face the dress waiting for me. Jones had returned to tell me I had fifteen minutes to go until he was coming for me. Fifteen minutes before my life changed forever.

A sense of emptiness gripped me as I stared at myself in the mirror. The sooner I made peace with the void that would reside where my heart used to be, the better I’d cope with the situation.

I’ve sold my soul to the devil.

But it would be worth every agonizing moment if it meant that Harrison was spared. He’d never know of my sacrifice, but I would, and that was enough for me. True love wasn’t about oneself or about one’s ego; it was about ensuring that the one I loved was safe and happy.

For a moment, I stared into my own eyes in the mirror. They seemed vacant, as if I’d already left my body and gone somewhere else.

Just over a year ago, I would have been the happiest woman alive marrying Nolan. I didn’t know what kind of man he was then. It was strange how sometimes the people we believed to be our heroes turned out to be nothing like the character they portrayed to the outside world. Behind the mask was another person we didn’t know existed.

I wasn’t the only fool though—thousands of people trusted Senator Parker to be a standup guy of good morals. If only they knew that beneath the façade of decency lurked an evil man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. I shuddered as I thought of all the promises he’d made to get elected. I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if nothing came of it.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d become a Stepford wife. Pretending to be something I was not was one of my worst nightmares. Most likely, I’d end up stabbing my new husband and landing in prison. At least that wouldn’t be as bad as living a lie.

Sofia brought the dress to me and held it so that I could slip into it. I gulped for air.

This is it.

Cagey and overwhelmed, I stepped into the frothy creation with my heart pounding in my ears. I stood dead still while Sofia fastened the row of tiny buttons at the back.

For the first time, I was glad my mother was dead. I’d dreaded my wedding day since she’d died of cancer because I’d miss her presence so damn much. But now I was relieved that she wouldn’t have to witness how I’d sold out on my dreams.

Sofia smoothed the dress with the palm of her hand before helping me slip into the shoes that had been left