Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Now it was time to meet…
Their mother.
My future mother-in-law stood a few feet away from me and all I wanted to do was run out of there like a bat out of hell. I didn’t need to meet her, know who she was, in my eyes this wasn’t a real marriage. I wanted nothing to do with her or whatever she had to say.
She’d never take my mother’s place.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Wow,” she breathed out, taking in my wedding gown.
Once again, my father spared no expense on my mother’s gown or their wedding. They had a whirlwind courtship, he proposed to her after six months of dating. El Capo was seventeen years older than her, and she didn’t know it until they went to sign the marriage certificate. Much to her surprise.
She grew up poor, very humble beginnings. When he met her through a friend, he told her it was love at first sight. Within weeks, he bought her a diamond necklace, a car, paid off her parent’s home and their debt, pretty much buying her affection. He showed her a life she didn’t know existed. Though, it wasn’t about the money, she was head-over-heels for him. He gave her everything she ever wanted, including me.
A baby girl.
She died when I was only eight-years-old which was why Papà bought me a pony a few days after her funeral. Saying it was a gift from Mamà before she passed.
“You’re stunning,” Mrs. Martinez interrupted my thoughts. “Pictures don’t do you justice, Sienna.”
“Are you trying to kiss my ass in hopes I’ll be happy about this arrangement?”
“Sienna!” Aurora chastised. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Martinez. She’s normally a very respectful girl.”
“It’s all right.” She smiled. “I understand. This wedding, or as you say, this arrangement, would be hard on anyone. Trust me, I’d feel the same way if I were in your shoes.”
“Then please help me stop it. I don’t want to marry your son. I don’t want to be a part of your family. I don’t even want to be a part of mine. I hate this life. I want no part in any of it.”
“Aurora.” She opened the door. “Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?”
“Of course.” My best friend’s eyes met mine with judgment. “You be nice and polite. I mean it, Sienna. This isn’t her fault.”
I didn’t respond, mostly because she was right. It wasn’t her fault, but it didn’t change the fact it wasn’t mine either. I watched as Aurora backed away from me to leave, shutting the door behind her.
“Ugh!” I threw the paper on the coffee table, sitting down on the couch. Leaning forward, I placed my pounding head in between my hands.
“No one understands me. You have no idea what it’s like to grow up with no say in anything. Not in what I wear, who I talk to, where I go, what I do. He promised me, Mrs. Martinez! Papà swore I’d marry for love. He lied to me. He sold me off like I was just another business proposition. Just another commodity to bring to the table. I’m a human being. Not a trophy he can just award to the first opportunity of improving our family ties. More power. It’s all that’s ever mattered to him. I’m sick of it! It’s not fair. I want a normal life with love and happiness, where I don’t have to walk around with men guarding me.”
Tears slid down the sides of my face. I didn’t care I was ruining my makeup an artist spent three hours on, unable to rein in all of my emotions for a minute longer. The years of pent up frustration was flowing out with no remorse.
One right after the other.
“I don’t even know which guests or family are here right now. I have no idea what my color scheme is. The decorations. The cake. The food. The fucking DJ. Nothing. I know nothing. I didn’t get to choose my husband,” I openly sobbed into my hands. “I had no say. I didn’t even get to choose my home!”
I cried harder.
My body shaking.
My heart shattering.
El Capo had broken it.
Chapter 17
—Sienna—
I felt her sit down beside me, placing her hand on my back. She started rubbing it up and down in a comforting gesture.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. I’m just so sorry…”
Hearing her say those words to me and actually feeling as if she meant them made me react in a way I never saw coming. I turned and threw my arms around her neck, needing a hug.
Comfort.
Love.
Understanding.
I had aunts, cousins, more family than I knew what to do with. Yet, this stranger made me feel a deep connection to her through the sincerity of her voice. I missed my mother. I wish she was here. She would have never let this happen.
Ever.
Before I knew what I was saying, I repeated what I felt, “I miss my mamà. I miss her so much it hurts to breathe. I wish she was here. I know if she was still alive this wouldn’t be happening. She wouldn’t have let it. I’ll never forgive my father for this, Mrs. Martinez! He’s all I have left, and I hate him so much right now. Why is he doing this to me? Why can’t I ever be more important or valuable than La Famiglia? Mamà died because of this life, and here he is willingly throwing me in it. I don’t understand, I want to understand, I’ve spent my whole life trying to.”