Bianca
I stood by the mirror, looking at my reflection. My eyes were swollen from crying, red and sore, my mouth dry under the makeup.
I took a deep breath as I stared at myself. My hair fell to my shoulders, and it reflected how broken my heart felt over the past two days.
Locked in my room without seeing daylight, shutting myself off from the damn world, my phones switched off, my heart drowned in misery, yet none of it changed anything.
No one cared to consider me, even for a single moment. I would have been more than grateful if they did.
But no, I was always the one who was wrong. Sometimes I wondered if I was even really their daughter. But then again, I couldn't blame anyone. I was the only child, the sacrifice to seal all the family deals and contracts.
I went to the best schools and visited the best places, not for me, but for the family's interests.
I had a heart condition, not because I should at my age, but because of everything they did to me, all for the family's reputation.
And today, I realized I was about to marry my so-called "contract husband." Not because I wanted to, but because I was always meant to.
I huffed, letting the pain settle in my heart. Before me was the small kitchen knife I had shoved into my dressing room.
I stared at it for a while before picking it up. My fingers trailed its sharp edge, the glittering steel reflecting in my eyes. My heart shifted with its intensity.
Then I heard footsteps approaching, and I took the little towel from the table, carefully wrapped it around the sharp edge of the knife, and tucked it into my pants, adjusting it for ease of movement. I then took off my gown, letting it flow to the floor.
I slowly touched my face and looked as the door creaked open, revealing Mum, a smile on her face as always.
"Oh, my lovely princess, look how beautiful you are today," she said, briefly taking my arm and turning me around with so much delight in her expression.
"You need to put a smile on your face. Your dad and I always want the best for you," she said, briefly cupping my cheeks and giving me that look of certainty.
I exhaled sharply, my heart burning.
"Alright, let's go, everyone is already waiting," she said, taking my arm to wrap it around her, while the maid who had accompanied her opened the door, slightly bowing.
I swallowed hard, despite the numbness in my throat and the heat in my chest.
We moved out of the passageway into the hall. The crowd stood up, cheering.
Alex stood at the front, smiling. His white suit hugged his body, making him look like the perfect gentleman, but I knew his heart didn't match that image.
I let myself settle into the moment, but deep down, I refused to let my heart be a part of all this. This wasn't me. This wasn't the life I wanted.
We walked up to the podium, and Mum handed me into Alex's arms like the sacrificial lamb I was. I blinked, not letting those silly smiles on his face settle in me.
The priest began the process, and shortly after, the vows were declared. They were too damn heavy on my lips, so I never even let them out audibly. I was burning in my heart.
Then the announcement everyone had been waiting for. All eyes were glued to us.
"You may kiss the bride," the priest announced. My heart delighted.
I had been damn waiting for this moment. Damn freaking waiting for it. I let my hands rest by my sides, the position where I had kept the little knife.
My heart boiled; everyone's eyes dreamed of the scene, anticipation heightened. My eyes remained fixed on his.
Silly him, he drew closer, and then just like he read my heart and the intensity of the hurt in me, he drew back and instead kissed my cheek, pulling away with a smile.
I bit my lower lip so hard that I tasted blood. He freaking broke free. He was a silly asshole.
I never said anything, except for the panting of my heart. Everything was supposed to be over now, when I let that knife out of my pants, if he hadn't leaned back. I looked away. The crowd erupted again in cheers, but none illuminated the sorrow I carried within me.
Moments later, everything was done. I was led to the signing table like a silly lamb to sign the damn agreement, and it was four freaking years, enough to break me.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, but more likely, I would break it. I would end it all before it gets to me.
With teary eyes, Mum held my arms and I signed it, my death warrant. My last hope of freedom engraved into a world that held the unknown for four damn years.
My heart shredded over and over again as I watched the smiles and excitement on their faces, including that of the guests, who knew nothing about my predicament.
Moments later, I was seated in the luxury limousine, with tinted windows. Beside me was the heavy breathing of the beast I was to be with.
And outside the hall, I noticed someone waving at the car, engrossed in my own world that I couldn't spare a glance.
Alex never said a word until we got to his house. He remained in the car while I stepped out, briefly exhaled, and slowly moved my legs forward. That was just a relief.
I stumbled into the living room, where a maid welcomed me in, leading up the stairs to my room.
It exuded luxury from its view, but such luxury was a sting to my heart. I stood firm for a while, my eyes rolling over every corner of the room.
"Is this room separated from your boss's room?" I turned to the maid, and she nodded slightly.
"Yes, ma'am. The boss asked me to set this room up for you. Everything you need is here, and you can check the wardrobe for clothes," she said with a warm smile that didn't reach her eyes.
I waved, and she left, closing the door behind her. I stood still for a while, then locked the door from the inside. My heart felt heavier with every passing minute.
Soon after, I moved over to the bed, sitting briefly while reflecting on my entire life and what my next actions would be.
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to be broken.
I had barely settled in my thoughts when I heard a knock at the door, but I ignored it. My hands held onto my head, my chest tugging with countless thoughts.
The knock came harder again, and this time with noise from outside the door. The handle twisted.
I stood up, lifted my gown, and grabbed the little knife by my side. I pulled my legs forward slowly, standing by the door.
"Who's there?" I asked, but received no response.
Instead, the knock came louder, and I held the knife firm. My eyes burned with rage, and I was about to unlock the door when his voice came like a roar.
"Open this damn door!" The entire room vibrated.