Chapter 84 Eighty Four
OWEN WINTERS
The wedding hall stood decorated with white roses.
I felt nauseous.
Amy hadn't spoken to me since morning, she was angry and disappointed and God knew how much I wanted to tell her, but it was a surprise so I let her avoid me.
I walked into the hall, watching the congregation as they stared down at me wishing they were the bride or probably pitying the innocent girl who was tossed into greedy men's ambitions. A small smile played on my lips as I marched in.
I took extra care of my hair and face and tried to look my best which annoyed Amy even more. I sighted her in front and immediately our gaze met, she turned away.
I gripped the flower in my hands tight, holding myself. I stopped at the altar staring down at the bouquet of white roses in my hand. The wedding brought a memory I was so fond of yet had tried to push it down to the back of mind where memories I wished not to remember stayed.
The day I kissed Amelia Xavier and left for Paris promising father I would have no contact with her. I sighed wondering what an obedient child I was back then, that man clearly used me and twisted me to do his will and he still thought he could do it — exactly why he planned the marriage. But he was in for a surprise and I couldn't wait to see his goddamned face when he found out what I did.
I swept through the crowd as murmurs arose. The clock was ticking and the priest stood uncomfortably at my front. I glanced towards Amy's direction, but she didn't look at me.
Suddenly someone spoke with a loud voice that I squinted my eyes.
“The bride is missing!”
There was commotion as everyone looked around in confusion. I checked on Mr Lyon to see his expression and it was blissful. He ran outside and I almost laughed.
Amy stared at me with eyes wide with shock and she opened her mouth to speak but shut it. I gave her a small grin and she chuckled.
It was time to show how well of an actor I was.
“My bride is missing?!” I yelled holding my chest in panic. I rushed out in haste pretending to be in search of her.
It would be all over the news, and that was even more exhilarating.
Father watched me like a hawk and I knew he was the only one apart from Amy to figure out that I did it.
I turned to face him and our eyes locked. I scoffed and left the damn hall.
Mr Lyon Gates stood outside the Winters estate, his back resting on his car. His shoulders were slumped and wrinkles decorated his face. I assessed him from afar, his eyes drooped and his tie was loose.
I wanted to feel pity, but strangely I felt nothing.
“Mr Lyon,” I called as I walked towards him. He looked up at me and sighed.
“I'm sorry, Mr Winters, the marriage was the only way to seal the alliance. I guess we're back to square one,” he said, opening his car to enter.
“What your daughter did…” I started to say but he cut me off. “It's my fault — I pushed the young girl around so much, I knew she'd do something one day, but not like this,” he cried, shutting his eyes in utter disappointment.
“Your daughter made a choice. Now it's your turn,” I said and he looked up at me.
“What do you mean?” He asked, confused at my words.
I huffed, scattering my hair with my hand. I took a lot of time curling it, giving it a soft texture.
“We can still make the alliance work out,” I explained, taking out a box of cigarettes and handing it to him.
Mr Lyon took it and lit it up, he sucked it in and let out a soft puff. “And how do you intend to do that?”
“Break off any connections you have with the Norman's. The Russian’s enemy,” I answered, smiling deviously.
He had no reason not to agree. Lyon really needed the alliance and I was going to give it to him though at a price.
“What? Aren't they your allies too?” He seemed confused so I replied, “They're proving stubborn. Mr Lyon are you in or out? No marriage alliance, no blood wasted… just cut off connections with those bastards and I'll give you all the support you need.”
I knew my persuasion worked so well because one look at his eyes, I could tell he was all in.
Father's face said it all.
Anger. Rage. Fury. Disappointment. Questions. Questions… more questions.
I stood facing him though at a distance, my hands in my pocket. He had a glass of spirit which he held between his index and middle finger.
“Explain yourself! I know this is all your goddamned doing,” he yelled, tossing the glass at me for the third time. He missed yet again, and it shattered on the floor, the white spirit staining my shoes.
Suddenly, I cackled, annoying him all the more. “I don't know what you're talking about, father. The young woman made her choice-” I locked eyes with him and added, “the same way you fucked another woman and created a savage fucker, Ash Winters — same way you picked me from the orphanage and thought I was worth controlling…”
“Enough!” He yelled, throwing another glass at me. He missed.
Father shut his eyes for what seemed like an eternity before opening them. He sighed, pouring himself another glass and gulping it down.
“Just admit you made the girl leave. Lyon is one of our finest clients and…”
“Father, don't you think I weighed the risk. Do you think I'll want to help a lady because I'm scared of marriage? Face it, father, you're slipping,” I mocked walking towards him.
He poured another wine and downed it before throwing the glass.
The glass flew in my direction, but luckily for me, I dodged it and it shattered on the floor behind me. I kept walking, my show scrunching the glass into tiny bits. Father kept throwing and I kept dodging until two glasses were left.
He threw one and I stopped in my tracks waiting for it to come to me — it came and with one hand, I caught it and finally reached where he sat.
I placed the wine glass on the table and poured some spirit for myself.
“Let's just forget this ever happened and focus on other things,” I said and took a sip. Deciding the spirit wasn't worth sipping, I gulped it down and placed the glass neatly for him.
“I need to get home to work. Unlike you, I'm quite active,” I remarked and turned to leave.
Just then, the door opened and a small figure stepped in. That figure looked familiar because I had held that waist and whispered sweet nothings in her ear.
What the fuck was Amy doing here?
She marched calmly like her father with that air of regality surrounding her.
Amy stopped a few metres away from me, but her eyes were fixed on father.
“I'm pregnant.”
My eyes widened and I looked at her. Emotions swirled in me — a mix of betrayal, disappointment and anger. How could she betray me like this?
“I'm pregnant, Mr Winters,” she said again, every word hurt me like a sword piercing through my heart.
Father stood quickly and stomped in my direction, then he did what he always wanted to do since I got my freedom.
He slapped me.
I felt a sting not just on my face, but in my chest.
My gut clenched and my stomach twisted and the sickening feeling I'd had all day came flooding back.
“Fix this. Fix all this!” He screamed and stormed out.
I looked at Amy, she bit her lips and as she opened them to speak, I held up my hand.
“Let's meet at home.”
I almost ran out, but decided it was best to compose myself. A sting of betrayal hit me and my eyes darkened.