Both a hair stylist and makeup artist waited nearby, ready to transform me into the perfect bride.
But the reality of the situation had hit me like a freight train.
With that, I excused myself and barely made it to the bathroom before I vomited in the toilet. It was my body’s desperate attempt to expel the terror that had settled in my gut.
Afterward, I cleaned myself up, scrubbed away the remnants of the Vampire Queen stage makeup, and took off the now ridiculous costume and pointe shoes.
In fact, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to dance again.
Would Gianni understand my passion?
The possibility that my career now lay in his hands broke my fucking heart.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to recognize the woman looking back at me. She looked frightened. A faint sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, evidence of the inner turmoil consuming her.
It was as if I were seeing myself for the first time, trying to understand this new person who seemed so different from the one I knew before.
Who would have a new life.
A new husband.
Letting out a long breath and getting control of my nerves, I returned to the suite, greeted the make-up artist and hairstylist, and then I carefully selected a gown—one that was elegant and beautiful despite the circumstances.
It would probably be my only wedding.
This was not the sort of man to allow a divorce.
And men like him didn’t leave their wives either, they just fucked around on them.
My only escape from this marriage might end up being Gianni’s death.
That realization broke my heart even more.
Either way, I picked the perfect bridal gown. It was a masterpiece of silk and lace, with a fitted bodice that hugged my curves and a skirt that flowed like water around my feet. Delicate lace details adorned the sleeves and neckline, while tiny pearls were sewn into the fabric, catching the light and shimmering with every movement.
It was the kind of gown I might have chosen in another life, for a wedding where I wasn’t marrying a man who terrified me.
But. . .I had to make the best of this.
Slipping into the gown was like becoming someone else, so far removed from the person I had known up until now.
The stylist and makeup artist worked their magic, pulling my hair up into an elaborate design of curls and pinning a veil of the finest lace to it.
My makeup was bold, gold and pink contrasting against my dark brown skin, making my eyes stand out even more.
When they were finished, I looked every bit as regal as the woman I was about to become.
For all intents and purposes, I was a bride.
Once done, I made my way back to the grand ballroom where Gianni awaited me at the altar.
A soft hush fell over the ball room as I entered.
Gianni turned to look at me, and his lips curled into a smirk at the sight of my transformation. His eyes slipped over my body with clear approval and a sense of ownership that sent chills down my spine.
Here it is. This is the moment.
Now, as I stood next to Gianni, I felt the weight of this moment pressing down on me.
