“More like offering to pay for their therapy. If money is demanded for their emotional distress, I’ll provide that as well. It’s another reason we have to get married. I’m only in control of my father’s legitimate businesses if I comply with the will.”
“Okay. I need a second, Nico. Will you get me something with strawberries, please?”
“Yes. Where are you going?”
I don't respond, knowing his eyes are tracking me as I pull away and walk to the restroom. I need to splash some cold water on my face and regroup. I don’t blame Nico for his father’s actions, because I know what it’s like to be the child of a bastard. My mind is simply reeling at the realization that we’re really not all that different.
Gazing in the mirror at how pale my features are, I wonder at the evilness in the world. Sticking my hands under the cold water, I dry them before pressing them to my face. If I wash my face, I may fuck up my makeup. I didn’t have a chance to use my setting powder, and had to hope the heat wouldn’t melt it off my skin.
Deep breaths, Rosa.I repeat Nico’s previous words to me as I inhale in and out with my eyes closed. Shit, I think I’m having a panic attack.
“Rosa?”
Whirling around at the soft voice I would know anywhere, I open my eyes to find Vero standing inside the bathroom with me. I can’t think of a single thing, yet my body throws myself at her as I sob.
“Oh, sweet girl. I’m here. I’m so sorry I’ve been gone for so long.”
“Are you okay?” I ask, crying. “Don’t go home. Please, please, it’s not safe. Papa might kill you if you do. Or worse…”
The unspoken words that I might be forced to do it hang in the air as Vero holds me tightly.
“What’s changed? Rosa, you’re shaking so much. Who is that man waiting in the ice cream parlor? He’s just staring at the bathroom door, barely moving. It’s creepy. Shh. Fuck, you’re scaring me.”
“That’s Nico. I’m getting married on my birthday to him,” I gasp. “I don’t know what changed, but Papa decided you and I couldn’t continue to be together. A part of me wondered if he knew, but I think someone may have sent him photos of that day.”
“We kissed,” Vero remembers. “This is bad. What’s underneath your dress? It’s so hard.”
Her hands move over my dress, and I realize what she’s talking about.
“A corset,” I murmur, getting myself together as I pull back to look at her. “They’re for what I believe are broken ribs. At the very least, they’re bruised. Papa didn’t think it was important to have them x-rayed.”
“Ribs…Rosa, what the fuck?!”
“I can’t see you again,” I confess, tears blurring as I stare at her. “Vero, I’m leaving Savannah after I get married. You should leave too. It’s not safe. If Papa gets his hands on you…”
“I know. He’ll kill me,” Vero grunts, blowing her bangs out of her face.
She looks rumpled, her hair is tangled and a mess, and I decide my next words don’t matter.
“There are things worse than death. Trust me. Where have you been? Did things go badly at your grandmother’s?”
“The old bat forced me into the crawl space under the stairs, and then left me there. I pissed myself while waiting to get out, and she finally let me out complaining of the smell so I could shower. I escaped out the window of my room as soon as everyone was asleep,” Vero grumbles, tears also trailing down her face. “Rosa…What’s worse than death?”
“Wishing for it and not getting it. A lot has changed since I last saw you. I don’t…think I can fight anymore, Vero. I’m trying, but it’s really fucking hard.”
“Fuck.” She hugs me tightly, and I hug back, knowing this is probably the last time I’ll ever see her. There’s so much I still don’t know about how she is, and I get the feeling our time is running out.
A sharp knock hits the door, making us both swallow back screams as we cling to each other.
“Rosa, are you okay? I have a weird…feeling,” Nico growls.
I shudder, knowing there’s this odd connection neither of us understand.
“Yeah. I’m good. I’ll be right out,” I promise. I can’t do anything about the situation my face is in, so I release Vero and rush to the sink to wash it. I’ll find a makeup store later to try to fix it before I get home.
“What’s with him?” Vero breathes, staring at the door. “He’s going to be important to you, Rosa. I don’t know how I know, I just do. Maybe he can protect you better than I can…”
Half blind from the water I’m blinking away, I reach for paper towels to mop away the makeup on my face. That’s the last fucking time I skip the setting powder. My spray is bullshit against tears.
