Chapter Two
"You want your little sister to be married to that devil? You're so despicable!" Mom retorted.
"I'm your daughter too, why are you playing favoritism!" I threw back at her.
"She's unwell and she's so young and full of life, do you want to ruin her life?"
"You made me donate my kidney to her after she destroyed hers with alcohol, I'm still recuperating from that and now you're making me take her place by marrying that beast, you're not fit to be a mother!"
Pah!
I looked up to see my Mother standing right in front of me, her eyes reddened and her hand shaking from anger.
"Mom." I muttered, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.
"You ungrateful wench! How dare you try to complain when you're given an opportunity to help your sister, she's still young and weak, you expect us to throw her to the wolves? You'll get married to Richard Paxton tomorrow and that's the end of it. You're marrying him as Luna Del Mario, I don't care about what you want!" Mom yelled at me.
I couldn't say a word as I choked on my tears, I looked at their faces and it held no remorse, Luna looked at me with a hint of mockery in her eyes and she moved closer, holding my hands.
"Please Lena, can't you do this for your sister?" She asked quite emotionally and convincingly.
I yanked my hand free from hers and ran to my room, my mother's vicious words trailing after me. I collapsed on my bed, crying loudly into my pillow which muffled my screams, my heart was clenched tightly by an overwhelming pain and the realization that my entire life has been ruined just when I thought I've escaped this hell of a life I've been living.
'Dear Lord or whatever deity hears prayers, save my soul.' I begged as I gave in to the excruciating pain that wooed me.
"Remember that you're Luna, every evidence of you being Lena has been eradicated and don't you dare think of revealing it to anyone else I'll find you and kill you myself, do you understand?" Mom whispered into my ears I was about to walk down the aisle. I forced a smile and nodded, making it seem like an emotional moment between us.
I walked down the aisle only to realize that the groom wasn't there, there were little people in attendance besides, my parents wanted it to be low-key. I could hear murmurs but I turned a deaf ear, none of it would matter, I was to be married anyways.
A man came in almost half an hour later and spoke discreetly with my father who in turn whispered some words to the priest and I could hear a part of it, something about the groom not being able to attend.
We had to leave and head for the court where the marriage would be registered and once again, he had already signed and I still didn't see or meet him, it was time to leave, a car was waiting to convey me to my new home, my new life and my parents hugged me briefly, to fulfill all righteousness. Luna was the last to hug me, shedding fake tears.
"Marry the beast and live a horrible life in my stead Lena, after all; no one can ever love someone like you." Luna whispered in my ears before breaking the hug and sobbing pitifully.
I shook my head lightly and said my final goodbyes before sitting into the car that was to convey me.
I watched my family wave at our car until it was out of sight and a sour taste formed at the tip of my tongues. It was just I and the driver in the car, no one else and it was eerie but not as odd as getting married alone.
I leaned back and stared outside the window, knowing fully well that might be the last time I'd get thr chance to do so, I've heard numerous rumor about my husband, he was married once, to a pretty woman who he didn't allow to step out of the house hence she committed suicide after witnessing too much of the atrocities he committed, I pushed the thought out of my mind and brace for impact as the driver soon arrived that we have arrived at our destination.
With air sucked in my lungs, the car door was held open by a butler and I got out of the car with the excesses of my wedding gown trailing behind me. The house was magnificent but not as ambiguous as the sinking feeling that gripped my heart.
"This way Miss." The butler said.
I nodded and walked closely behind him, I didn't pause to take in the full beauty of the interior of the house, I was too preoccupied with my thoughts and dread but not too occupied to notice them. I figured I have what's left of my life to appreciate it.
We walked quietly up the stairs and he led me to an awkward room, I could hear from a distance some voices emanating from the room, different voices. He opened the door and gestured for me to go in.
"Thank you." I muttered.
"God save your soul." He replied before briskly walking away.
I peeped in and it was a bit dark, I took a step in, shaky and scared but I feigned confidence.
"What are you doing darling? You're not walking on coals of fire, walk properly." A stern voice ordered.
My heart skipped a beat as it intensified my fear, I looked around and didn't see where the voice was coming from so I froze on the spot, thinking it was haunted.
"I said walk!" The voice barked.
I gasped and did as I ordered and halfway into the room, the room lit up and I could clearly see four men and a woman sitting comfortably, smoking and drinking, I pursed my lips, irritated.
I observed their faces and they all looked familiar but I was too afraid to remember them properly and then my eyes fell on him, my husband.
Contrary to popular opinions and description, he was dashingly handsome.
"How dare you!" A voice thundered and a slap across my face.