Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
And she’s crying.
I’m torn. Crying has never been something I’ve dealt well with, no matter who’s doing it. Emotions, in general, are not my forte. I don’t feel like sitting around and watching her drip snot all over everything, and God forbid she wants me to hold her or something awkward like that.
At the same time, the little sounds she makes remind me of a wounded animal. I might be a monster, but a wounded animal is not something I can simply pass by and pretend I didn’t notice.
“What’s wrong?”
She jumps like she truly didn’t realize I was standing here, not ten feet from where she’s weeping. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. I should have gone upstairs or something so you wouldn’t have to worry about me.”
I don’t know if she means it or if she’s only looking for sympathy. “It’s a little late for that now, isn’t it?” I take a seat on the coffee table, facing her. “What’s happening? Nervous about the wedding?”
“No. I mean, yes, of course I am. This is all happening so fast, like I’m on a train and can’t control the speed. I’m afraid it’s going to derail.”
She has a talent for metaphors. “I can relate to that. I’m having a hard time coming to terms with this schedule myself. But you knew it was going to be happening very soon. Is it just hitting you now?”
She’s quiet for so long that if I didn’t know better, I’d think she fell asleep. When an eternity passes, and she still doesn’t answer, I get up and turn the light on.
“No, I don’t want you to see me.” She buries her face in the pillow as if that makes a difference.
“Out with it. I’m not going to have you lying around crying until the wedding.” When she still doesn’t answer, I add, “In case you couldn’t tell, this is me trying to be nice. It’s not something that happens often.”
She sighs heavily but finally lifts her face from the pillow. Her eyes are red-rimmed and swollen, her cheeks soaked with tears. “I keep telling myself to get over it, but… he really scared me.”
“Who did?”
She looks guilty and regretful. “Promise you won’t get mad.”
“Out with it,” I said.
In a tiny voice, she whispers, “Your grandfather.”
Son of a bitch. I should have known. He wanted to speak to her alone, without me being around. I knew he would more than likely try to scare her a little, try to make sure she’s frightened into behaving herself and being the respectful little wife he wants for me.
“I know better than to ask for forgiveness on another person’s behalf,” I murmur. “But that’s just how he is. As soon as he thought I was old enough to find a wife, he made it his life’s mission to marry me off. Honestly, if it were anyone else, it would be funny. Like something out of a movie or a TV show. The meddling grandfather determined to find a wife for his grandson before he dies.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
She runs the heel of her hand under both eyes and shakes her head. “You know what? Ask him yourself. I want you to hear what he said. If he even tells you the truth.”
“I’ll call him,” I offer, then try to change the subject. “Are you hungry? I could order dinner.”
“I don’t have an appetite. I just want to sleep.” She sits up, her chin still quivering in spite of the sudden about-face she’s taken. “I’m going to go up to my room.”
It’s not a question. She isn’t asking for permission. I sit, helpless and concerned, while she climbs the stairs one slow tread at a time.
It’s foreign, the indignation that flares to life as I reach for my phone. The indignation itself isn’t the problem—the man has given me more than enough reason over the years to be indignant, even to resent him.
But now he’s fucking with her, the woman who’s supposed to be my wife in a matter of days. She’s going to be mine, which means she’s not his to screw around with. I highly doubt he’ll enjoy hearing that, but that’s not going to stop me. He’s the one so concerned with making sure this wedding goes off without a hitch. Why would he throw a wrench into the plans?
The moment he answers, I jump on him before he has the chance to do the same to me. “What did you say to her?”
Grandfather sputters, “What are you referring to?”
“No. Do me the favor of not pulling the doddering old man bullshit act on me. You forget I’ve watched you do it before. I know exactly how it goes.”
“Have you forgotten who you’re speaking to?”
“At least you sound more like yourself now.” I look up the stairs. “What did you say to Elena? And please, don’t lie.”