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He shakes his head in frustration, but I feel like only one of us has the right to be angry right now, and it isn’t him. “I’m a leader in our community. I hold a lot of power. This marriage alliance will ensure that power remains strong. In fact, Pia, you’ve become something of a myth yourself. Men from all over want to marry you, but I chose the one I think is best suited to my needs. His name is Lorenzo Esposito, and he comes from good stalk. He will make a fine match for you and fortify my power in our territory.”
What territory?I sign. I know my father is a powerful man. There’s no way he could have covered up my mom’s murder and locked me up for years if he weren’t. But I’ve never been given any news about my father’s business dealings. I’ve gotten the sense that they may be shady, but I’m not sure exactly how. I’ve been kept in the dark. I’m tired of it.
“You know I run a business.”
I smile smugly. So hecanread my sign language. He just chooses not to most of the time.
“And,” he continues, “in that business, I have men I need to please. And those men would like to marry you as a sign of good faith. Of course, only one man can marry you. That’s where Lorenzo comes in. You’ll marry him this evening.”
I sit up straighter. This evening?
But I don’t know him.I sign. While I’ve hated being locked up in my tower, it’s the only thing I’ve known since I was eight. Marrying a man I don’t know is terrifying. Does this mean I won’t live in my tower anymore? Will I get to leave? While that sounds exciting, I’d only get that chance by marrying a man I don’t know. Is he kind? Is he like my father? Because I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with a man like my father. I’ve already spent too much time living with my father.
“That doesn’t matter,” he snaps. “All that matters is you’re marrying him. Now, be a good girl and nod for me.”
He stares so intently at me with those angry eyes that I have no choice but to nod.
“Good. The maid will bring up your wedding dress. I suggest you try it on and don’t do anything to ruin it. If you do, you’re still wearing it tonight, even if you rip it to shreds.”
I know why he’s warning me. Throughout the years, I would smash, break, or tear up gifts he gave me. I didn’t want his gifts, not when he murdered my mom and locked me up.
And I know another reason for his warning—if I rip this dress up, I’ll still be expected to wear it, even if parts of my body are showing.
Will there be a crowd?I sign.
“Yes. I’ve invited everyone who works for me and with me to this wedding. There will be over two hundred people. So don’t mess this up, Pia. I expect you to be on your best behavior. If not for me, then for yourself.” His thinly veiled threat is obvious. He’ll beat me if I don’t get in line. “This wedding will be talked about for years to come. Make me proud.”
Before I can respond, he turns and shuts the door behind him. The click of the lock signals that I’m stuck in here, just like I’ve always been.
Married.
I’m getting married tonight to a stranger.
God, why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this kind of treatment? When will I get the chance to live my life on my own terms with my own agency?
When will I ever speak again?
The maid, Mia, shows up sometime later with my wedding dress. She’s the only other person to have a key to my tower. I’ve tried getting her to let me out over the years, but she’s just as tough as my father is. She’s no-nonsense, blunt, and expects perfection, just like him. I’m surprised my father hasn’t married her yet, considering how similar they are. But my father would never canoodle with the staff. He knows his place in this world, and he’s quick to point out everyone else’s place. If you’re the maid, then you’re nothing more than the maid in his eyes.
Mia glares at me as she sets a garment bag on my bed. “Get to it. Your father wants you in this dress right now. The wedding is happening in an hour, and we need to get you ready.”
I touch the garment bag. Inside this bag is my new life. That doesn’t exactly make me happy.
At Mia’s annoyed expression and hand motions to hurry up, I finally unzip the bag and get a good look at my wedding dress.
It’s conservative, to say the least. Long sleeves, high neckline. It won't show any of my skin. Even now, my father is still trying to control every inch of me.
I know there’s no use resisting. I stand up, and Mia helps me into the dress. “Help” is a generous word. More like she forces me into the dress so roughly that parts of my skin get rubbed raw and turn red.
I look down at the dress. There’s no lace on it. No frills. No embellishments. It’s just a conservative white gown with no personality. There’s not even a shape to it as it loosely hangs around my body. This dress isn’t supposed to show me off. It’s supposed to hide me away again and show that my father has complete control over me.
Though, I guess this Lorenzo man will soon have complete control over me. Please, God, don’t let Lorenzo be anything like my father.
Once I’m dressed, Mia gives me a once over and nods. “You’re sufficient. Let’s go.”
She opens the door and motions for me to follow.
I pause in the doorway. I haven’t seen the rest of my house since I was eight. I’m desperate to take a step forward but also terrified. What if everything is different from what I remember? What if it’s exactly the same, and the memories of my dead mother come back to me? I’m sure my father will not appreciate me breaking down into tears anytime soon.
