She glances over at the gown I’m making for her rehearsal dinner before her head snaps my way. “Where is my dress?”
“It’s right there.”
“Not that one. I’m not blind, Cirella. I can obviously see that. My other dress.”
My heart drops. “Y-you haven’t requested anything new lately.”
She scoffs in disgust, “Clearly, if you have enough free time for this, then you have enough to make something else for me. God forbid you could surprise me with something.”
Her fingers pinch the flowy cap sleeve of Alora’s gown, and in one swift movement, she yanks it down, tearing the seams apart.
“What are you doing?” I shriek.
Towering over me, she rights herself, a menacing smirk on her lip. “Oops.”
Defeat starts closing in around me, draining any energy I have left to give. “Pleasestop.”
She grabs my jaw, shaking my head side to side. “Say,I’m sorry, madam. I should have gotten my priorities straight.”
Swallowing hard, I give her what she wants, knowing it’ll only get worse if I don’t. “I’m sorry, madam.” My voice cracks, and I loathe my body for giving her the satisfaction my pain will bring her. “I should have gotten my priorities straight.”
“That’s right.” Her gaze drops to the small bruise she previously left behind. “So fragile and breakable, Cirella. Ibarelytouched you, and you bruised right up, like a peach. I won’t do that again, I promise.” Her voice is soft and barely audible. She smiles, tightening her grasp. “In such a visible place.”
“Cirella!” Jules’s voice sings down the hall, and panic tears through me.
My stepmother won’t hesitate to punish Jules in order to protect herself.
My stepmother drops her hand and steps back, tucking her arms behind her back right as Jules bursts through the door.
“Oh.” Jules quickly gathers herself, putting on an act. “Ms. Chamberlain. I didn’t know we were being blessed with your presence. Can I help?”
I swear a curtsy would’ve been a cherry on top.
My stepmother grins. “No. I just came to see how our newest helper was doing.” She turns to me. “Great work here, Cirella. We’resolucky to have you.”
If her hand wasn’t just around my neck five seconds ago, I’d almost believe her. She’s awfully convincing.
Quietly, she removes herself from my room with her evil cat, shutting the door behind her and leaving Jules, Gus, and me alone.
I exhale, taking a deep breath for the first time since she came in here. God, I swear there’s less oxygen when she’s around.
Jules rushes over to me as I pull Gus from my pocket and set him gently on my desk. “She’s so fucking awful.”
My throat burns, but I refuse to shed another tear for that horrible woman. “I know.”
Jules gasps, turning toward my mannequins. “No. Did she do that?”
I nod, crossing my arms over my torso.
She sighs in disappointment. “I vote we cut up her dress, with a wood chipper … with her inside of it.”
This earns her a genuine chuckle, and tears well in my eyes despite my reservations.
Somehow, I think, she would still find ways from the grave to torment me.
“I love you too much for you to get arrested for murder.”
“Ugh, fine. But we’ve got to do something.”
