In Your Clutches

Part 20: When The Tables Are Turned

AMELIA

My wedding ended just like it began. Without any joy, but with much heartbreak. After Asher left to deal with Jason, his Uncle Riccardo and other men did everything to please the guests, while Aunt Rufina just glared at everyone. They knew there would be gossips, but they'd also do their best to bury them-as they always did.

I was worried sick about Jason. God knows what Asher might do to him, and I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to him because of me.

Riccardo did a great show at introducing me to the guests, one by one, with a fake smile, sometime after when things had cooled down. I talked when asked; nodded when I had to; smiled when I felt like; laughed when I was expected to but I knew, the guests just stared and openly judged with no shame.

Asher married her only because of his hatred towards the Valentino's.

This will be a loveless marriage.

Who was the other guy? Will Asher spare him?

I wonder if she actually loves the other guy.

Is that why Asher will kill him?

Asher left her at the altar.

They whispered behind my back and gave me the fakest smiles when I locked eyes with them. I kept my head high, gaze unflinching because I knew these people were nothing but vultures. Filthy rich but heartless. They were looking for a weakness and I wasn't going to let them step over me. Not today and not in this lifetime. By the end of the evening, I was more mentally exhausted than ever and it was taking a toll on my body.

My legs had grown considerably weaker, trembling under my own weight and the heavy dress. My tiredness was more pronounced and I flexed my toes in my ivory, pearl three inche heels. They were custom-made to match my dress. My face had started to itch, my skin feeling stretched tight over my bones.

The urge to scratch my flesh was strong and I fidgeted with my hands, burying them into the thick tulles of my gown so I wouldn't end up doing something embarrassing like lift my veil and claw my face to remove the make-up until it bled.

Pain buried its fangs into my flesh, tearing into me, sinking its poison into my veins and I craved it more than I wanted solace or needed salvation. Pain was a dwelling of madness, but it was exactly what kept me sane. After the fancy dinner, I excused myself-not that I was needed, anyway-and Claudia helped me back to my room. This part of the mansion was eerily quiet and dark.

I was very much interested in anything historical, but I never imagined that I'd get married in a mansion and definitely not as beautifully deserted and grand as this one. I itched to explore every corridor, every room and crevice of this place, other than the only place where I could always be found other than my room which was the Library, to let the history of this mansion bleed onto my fingers.

The grand wedding was over and done with. I had an entire year to explore this Isle and all the secrets that came with it. Just not tonight. All the fight had left my body and I swayed on my feet as we climbed up the stairs that led to the East swing, where my room was located.

I barely even noticed the frames on the walls or the chandeliers decorating the corridor. The moment I stepped into my room, my legs gave out from under me and I sagged onto the floor, my gown practically enveloping me and only I knew how terrible it felt to control my tears again.

"Do you think Asher will come to you tonight?" Claudia asked, while slowly unlacing my wedding dress. "It's your first night as a married couple, after all."