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“My wedding dress?” My blood is pumping so hard, I think I can hear my heartbeat echoing in my head. I’m tempted to pinch myself to make sure I’m not living in some weird nightmare because this can’t be real. He’s officially crossed the line and is delusional if he thinks I’m going along with this.
I want to slap the smug look off his face. Robert tilts his head and smiles, but it’s not kind or inviting. Instead, it’s menacing, and his eyes are cold. It’s like the curtain has been pulled back, and the man behind it all is evil.
“Of course, Gemma. I’m sure you haven’t planned anything with Everleigh and Katie like you said.”
“Well, not yet but—”
“I knew you hadn’t, so I did it for you. I’m sure they’re both too busy trying to support themselves since they don’t have men to provide for them. So, I felt this was a better alternative, considering your mother is no longer here, and you have no one else of importance in your life.” He stares at me, and I feel as if I’m suffocating. Mentioning my mother is just so goddamn cruel. I’ve voiced my dread of not having her with me on such a monumental day. Bastard.
“It wasn’t your decision to make,” I seethe.
“Well, I figured it was best for you. I even found a tailor to adjust my mother’s wedding dress to fit you based on some clothes you left here. Only the absolute best for my bride!” he proudly boasts.
My expression doesn’t change, which causes his helpful husband persona to quickly fade.
“You can thank me now,” he snaps.
I finally catch my breath from the whiplash he’s just given me. “You want me to thank you for what you’ve done? Have you lost your mind?” I walk toward my bag, and Robert rushes to stand. He stalks toward me with annoyance on his face. Wrapping his fingers around my wrist, he jerks me toward the couch and forces me to sit. I can’t believe I agreed to marry such a controlling, manipulative man.
“Take me home,” I demand, wishing I would’ve driven myself.
He throws his head back and lets out a boom of a laugh as he sits next to me, but instead of it being welcoming, it forces a chill up my spine. “Not fucking happening.”
I try to wiggle from his grasp, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he only holds me tighter. Anger rises, and I grit down, holding my tongue as I try to figure out how I’m going to get the hell out of here. My phone is in my purse across the room.
My thoughts are a jumbled mess, but I need to calm down to think clearly.
“The plan was for you to sleep over and stay with me, so you will. I won’t be taking you anywhere but to my bedroom. Would you like a drink?”
He gets up, but I don’t dare move, too scared to make any sudden movements. Robert goes to the kitchen, then comes back with a scotch on the rocks and lounges in the chair in front of me.
Sitting straighter, I plead, “Please take me home. We can discuss this tomorrow after you’ve had some time to calm down.”
He chuckles darkly, then drinks half the glass. “Don’t you fucking listen? The answer is no. Quit trying to defy me, Gemma. It’s an ugly look for you.”
“I can’t do this,” I tell him, breathlessly. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“This, as in what? The wedding is set for November. You will not fucking embarrass me.”
“There will be no wedding, Robert. Call it off, immediately.” The words tumble out of my mouth, and I can’t stop from saying what I want.
Robert charges toward me. Quickly, I run to my purse and manage to pull out my phone. He chases after me and grabs my hair, pulling me back. My scalp burns from the tug, and I scream out in pain before pushing him away. Angry tears stream down my cheeks as I hurry to the kitchen. I pull a knife from the block and point the blade at him. When I cooked last, it was sharp enough to slice through meat with no issue, so I hope he doesn’t make me use it.
“Don’t you take another step toward me.” I hold it tightly in my grasp, my hand shaking from the adrenaline.
He’s in a blind rage, so my threats don’t faze him. He takes a step, holding out his hands as if he’s surrendering, but I’m not fooled. I try to unlock my phone but fumble. If I can text Everleigh with one hand, maybe she can come get me. Seconds later, Robert rushes after me. The sudden movement startles me, and I drop my phone and the blade.
He grabs me, squeezing my shoulders so hard that I screech. “You need to stop being a selfish bitch, Gemma.”
