A chorus of gasps erupted from my father's guests while Fernando's people snickered. Not a single person moved to help him, much to my delight.
My father had spent years buying the people around him, and now that he was down, no one bothered to help him up. If that wasn't karma, I wasn't sure what was.
Ignoring the patrons, I left my father there and marched toward Fernando, who sneered at me.
We were to meet a few steps before the priest and the altar, where my father would hand me over to Fernando, and we would take the last steps together. However, when Fernando extended his hand to me, I ignored it, continuing the last few steps on my own.
The priest's eyebrows nearly shot off his head as he glanced between us. Eventually, Fernando joined me at the top, a small tic in his jaw.
I blocked out the priest's prayers and blessings. It had been a long time since I’d believed in God, and as I stared at the man across from me, it cemented that either the primordial being didn't exist, or he hated me.
The feeling was mutual.
When it came time for me to say the two words that would lock me into my fate, I hesitated. For a moment, I fantasized about finally telling the truth. What would happen if I admitted I was being forced into this marriage by my abusive father who had threatened to kill me just days before? What would people think if they knew they'd supported such a monster?
But what was the point?
At best, they'd remove their donations quietly, then distance themselves to avoid any possible backlash. At worst, they'd believe I was lying, and the wedding would go forward in a less public location where I would be bruised, bloody, and have no voice of my own.
Even if they did believe me, much like they'd refused to help my father, they would refuse to help me. Especially if it meant acknowledging they'd made a mistake with the man they were in business with. Still, this moment with my small power of choice gave me joy.
I didn't know Fernando well, but it was clear he was a man of few words in public. He seemed to believe speaking to someone who couldn't benefit him was beneath him, using his guards, his size, or his presence to intimidate people.
That was why he hadn't pulled me back and forced me to go up the stairs with him. He didn't have to. No matter what tricks I played, everything would go according to his plan.
But making him sweat, irritating him, being anything other than the obedient wife he wanted gavemepower, and I would continue to be a thorn in his side until I set myself free.
Fernando's grip on my wrist tightened. I'd have bruises come tomorrow morning, but I still waited a little longer, relishing in the growing impatience in his eyes.
"I do," I finally said, swallowing the bitterness on my tongue.
Fernando reached for the rings, but I grabbed them and shoved them on myself to make a point. He would never fully controlme.
His nostrils flared and his neck corded.
Good.
When the priest turned and asked him the same question, Fernando's grip tightened around my hand as he snarled, "I do." He pulled my hand to his, forced me to take his ring, then squeezed until I finally slipped the band onto his finger.
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
The finality in the priest's words echoed in my ears. Fernando leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head at the last second, making him kiss my cheek.
"You'll pay for that,wife," he growled in my ear.
I turned my head and glared. "You should be happy you even got my cheek. Otherwise I would have thrown up on you on the spot."
Fernando glowered, leaning in close. "Don't forget who you're speaking to, Catalina."
I forced myself not to grind my teeth, taking a deep breath instead. "You may be the boss of the mafia, but that's as far as your leadership extends. If you wanted an obedient wife, you should have picked someone else." I flicked my eyes to our audience. "Now, in case you haven't noticed, the people are starting to stare, and I believe that goes against your idea of a perfect wedding."
His eyes narrowed. Then he stood to his full height, pulled me to him, and forcibly tucked my hand into his arm.
I ignored the congratulations and happy smiles of the guests. Ignored everything until we neared the exit where my father stood.
My father reached out to Fernando, grasping his hand with fake tears shining in his eyes. "Welcome to the family, Fernando. Please take care of my baby girl."
I glared at him.Putting on a performance, even at the end.
