AllFreeNovel
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Time to queen back up. If he wants to end this, then I’ll get ready for my next move. Zeno will take me, divorced or not. And this time, I’m telling Papá what I want. I’ve done everything they ever asked of me and look where that got me.
I guess that’s how I can make it through tonight’s party. I’ll plant some seeds in Z’s mind and start to distance myself from Mark.As if that will be difficult.
Whatwillbe a challenge is fooling Luna and my sister. Tonight is Tío’s 70thbirthday, and everyone will be in good spirits. It’ll be all the family and a few close friends from the otherfamilies.Luna thinks even Vix might be here, but since she declined her wedding invitation just weeks ago, I doubt it.
I haven’t told anyone about Mark’s plans. It’s too embarrassing. The famousprincesawho’s been training her whole life, got dumped within the first year. Even if that’s not the official story, it’ll be whispered among the women. Why are women so hard on each other?
I clean up, dry off, and stand in front of my impressive closet. Annabelle has a best friend who’s a designer, and she sent me a rack of gowns for all occasions. I had one picked for tonight, but it’s backless, so that’s out. I don’t want to share inside jokes with him. Not anymore.
If I remember right from his ogling through the years, Zeno is a boob man. I reach for a silky blush pink gown, it’s long and flowing with no slit, a high back and an excessive deep v in the front.
It doesn’t really look like me.
Perfect.
I don’t want to be me tonight.
Mark: I have to meet you there.
Eleanna: Okay.
I don’t have to fight the urge to text him anymore. Or send emojis or the little animated photo things. I don’t leave notes with his food. I guess I have changed. I suppose he finally got through to me.
Raul and my driver both do a double take when I head out to the car. I understand. I am wearing a high ponytail that is board straight and shiny with gloss. I have on pink lipstick instead of red and even silver jewelry, for the first time that I can remember. I paired a silver chain with my usual gold necklace and gold wedding band. I took the engagement ring off, though. It doesn’t match and it makes me too sad.
Raul pulls up to the country club. Tío’s club, not the same one as our wedding reception. I’m thankful for that. I’ve already spent too much time reliving how Mark gripped me close to him before we danced, how he kissed me for the cameras. I realize I’m sitting here daydreaming.
“Raul?”
“Ric said wait here for Señor White.”
“Um, yeah, no. I’m not doing that.” I open my own damn door and get out. My entire family is already here, I’m sure. I’m not sitting outside like some guest. I hear Raul curse as he rushes to catch up with me. I ignore him, head high, waltzing in like I belong, which I do. I have to head to my uncle first before greeting anyone else.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Tío!”
“Who is—Ellie!” Mia shrieks from somewhere behind me.
My uncle hugs me. “Gracias, sobrina. Marriage looks lovely on you.”
“Aw, thank you. I’ll save you a dance.”
“Please do,princesa.”
I turn and face my sister whose mouth is hanging open. I grab her in a hug that is much tighter than appropriate. She’ll probably ask me what’s wrong, but I don’t care. I haven’t been touched in weeks.
“Whatever this is, I love it.” She says in a squeezed, garbled voice. I laugh.
“I missed you.” I say when I pull away.
She lowers her voice to a whisper, “Is this what happens when we finally get laid? A whole rebirth situation? I mean, I didn’t even know your hair could stay that straight. It’s like a mirror.” She strokes my ponytail. I laugh again.
“Yes, Ellie!” Luna joins us. “It’s totally giving queen and Mean Girls meets JLo and I’m here for it.”
“I didn’t understand any of what you just said.”
“I didn’t either.” His voice startles me almost as much as his huge hand coming around my waist. I freeze, not wanting to let myself lean into or react to or, worst of all, savor anything about his touch. “I thought we were meeting outside,sweetheart.”He says and then, either because he’s irritated or because Mia and Luna are staring, he pulls me hard into his side.
“Sorry, Raul must’ve misunderstood.” I look up at him. I wish I hadn’t. As always, he’s stunning. He’s also staring at my exposed chest, distracted. His tongue runs along his perfect, full bottom lip before he catches himself and straightens.
