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“What do you think Cece?” Liv turned and asked Mamma, who had been very quiet throughout the whole process since our chat. I turned to face her on the platform as she peered up at me with a sad smile.
“I think she looks enchanting. But is it the perfect fit for her?” she asked, directing the question at me. As we held each other’s gaze, I knew that question had far more meaning than the dress. I inhaled deeply as I turned to look at my reflection in the mirror.
“I think it is,” I smiled as the girls all clapped their hands with glee and squealed. Only mamma stayed quiet with tears in her eyes. I turned to Julius. “This is the one Julius. Thank you for all your help.”
“You’re welcome, my dear. Now I hear you have an engagement party to get ready for tonight, so let’s not keep your fiancé waiting,” he announced, offering me his hand as I stepped down from the platform.
I smiled politely as he took me into the dressing room and helped me out of the dress. I tried to ignore the rising panic in me as I thought of the party tonight. It was to be held in one of Gio’s exclusive clubs, a very strict guestlist and extremely well-guarded event. I was surprised to hear he wanted to do it away from the mansion, but he said that he wanted to show the world that we weren’t hiding. That we had nothing to fear when it came to those who wanted to hurt us. The thought of having to act deliriously happy and in love with Enzo in front of so many people was making my stomach turn.
As soon as we all left the wedding fitting, I excused myself from the group saying I needed to have a little rest before the party tonight. As soon as I shut the door to my bedroom, I closed my eyes and took in a few calming breaths to stop the panic attack that was brewing inside me. The sound of my phone ringing on my vanity table caused me to open my eyes and frown. I had barely used my phone since I had been home. Going so long without one had done me good and anyway, who did I need to speak to? It’s not like I had anyone to call.
I stepped towards it and stared at the unknown number flashing on the screen. My heart thundered in my chest as I contemplated whether to answer it or not. Only trusted people in our circle had my number. So, for an unknown number to ring me, it was very unusual. It stopped and I saw that I had two more missed calls. My phone vibrated with a voicemail notification and I grabbed it off the table with trembling hands. It was probably some sales call or wrong number, but if I truly believed that, why was I sweating and why did my heart feel like it was about to explode out of my chest? I pressed play on the voicemail and held it to my ear.
“Elle. It’s me.”
His deep, familiar voice entered my ear and I screamed, throwing my phone across the room in an impulsive move to get him as far away from me as possible. My hand slammed over my mouth as the tears sprung to my eyes. No. No. No. How did he get my number?
I paced the room, running my hand through my hair and staring at the phone on the carpet as if it was a predator about to attack. Everything in me told me to delete the voicemail and get rid of the phone immediately. Tell Gio and let him deal with this. But that idiotic, curious girl inside me that still felt something for that monster was begging me to listen to the message. Just to hear his voice. It was pathetic. I was pathetic. What more does a man have to do to me to make me realise he is bad fucking news? I have serious problems.
I shook my head and growled in frustration at myself as I stormed towards it and pressed play on the message again. I held an aggressive breath when I heard his voice for the second time. I had to be strong. I wouldn’t believe a fucking word that came out of his mouth.
“Elle. It’s me. Alessio. I know I am the last person you want to hear from right now and I understand why. I don’t blame you for hating me and not wanting to speak to me. I know you don’t owe me anything, but I would like the chance to explain. It’s not what you think. Everything you have been told was twisted by Isabelle. Everything is fucked up and I’m trying my best to sort it out so I can make my way back to you, Princess. I made you a promise that I intend to keep; to never leave you. Please. Just don’t give up on me.” He paused as he inhaled a deep breath. “I miss you.”
I released a loud sob as I dropped the phone and fell to my knees at the side of my bed. The tears were streaming down my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around my body and held myself. Just hearing his voice, the smooth rasp of it and the sound of pain in his voice, brought everything back. All the feelings. All the moments we shared. Everything that I believed had been a lie. His voice had the power to manipulate me so easily. To make me want to believe him. I knew I shouldn’t still want him. I knew I shouldn’t still let him affect me like this. But somehow, he still did. It was all still too raw.
I don’t know how long I sat like that on the floor, but it was a while until Finn knocked on my door and poked his head around. When he saw the state of me, he raced forward, falling to his knees and pulling me into his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“He called. He left a message,” I whimpered into his shirt as I clung onto him.
“And you listened to it? What did he say?”
I nodded, pulling back from him and wiping my face. “It doesn’t matter. It was more lies. I have to get ready for the party.”
I pulled myself to my feet and made my way towards the ensuite, but a large hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me back. Finn frowned down at me with a mix of irritation and concern. “No, Elle. Fuck the party.”
“What?”
“It’s a fucking circus. All of this is. The wedding. The engagement party. What are you trying to prove? That you don’t love Alessio? Because we both know that’s bullshit. You are being a stubborn fool now Elenora, and I can’t stand back and watch you ruin your life.”
“Finn. I know you don’t approve of Enzo and think I should marry for love or whatever but-” Finn scoffed loudly, releasing my arm and rubbing his forehead in stress. “But he is a good man. He will take care of me and protect me, which is what I need. I made this mess myself and I have to get myself out of it.”
“And Alessio?”
“What about Alessio?” I snapped, my own rage matching his.
“That’s it? You are just going to marry a man you don’t love and ignore the feelings you have for the one you do!”
“Yes! It’s called survival! I don’t expect you to understand! What do you want me to do Finn? Go and tell Giovanni, ‘sorry I can’t marry Enzo because I am madly in love with a sick psychopath who enjoys messing with my head. But don’t worry, I am sure Lorenzo or even Alessio, will forget all about the fact that I murdered Isabelle and leave me to live out the rest of my life alone and miserably’.”
“Elle…” Finn growled, stepping towards me and grabbing my upper arms in his. He glared down at me with so many emotions as I narrowed my eyes on him. It looked like he was having a war inside his own head, forcing himself to hold back from what he was dying to say.
“What!” I shouted.
“I just think you are making a massive mistake.”
“Well, it’s my mistake to make,” I snapped back, pulling my arms from his grip and storming towards the bathroom. “Now if you don’t mind, I have my engagement party to get ready for.”
