Veil of Deception: The Replacement wife

Ring

After I baked the cake and iced it,

I took my ring off to do the dishes.

I went upstairs and got dressed back into the dress Alexander picked out.

I sat down on the bed, reading a book from the nightstand.

The door opens suddenly, startling me.

"Come on, my folks are here." He says he is holding his hand out to me.

Fuck I think his parents I don't even know their names.

I place my bookmark in my book and place my hand in his thinking. Come on tomorrow night, and you will never have to see his stupid, handsome face ever again.

As I place my hand in his, I can't help but remember just hours ago how that same hand was just torturing my bottom with harsh hits.

He leads me down the stairs, where the music is loud and bodies are everywhere.

He walks me to an older man and woman.

"Ma. Pa," he says with a smile.

His dad says, "Deve essere questa la ragazza?"

{this must be the girl}

"SÌ," Alexander replied with a smile.

{yes}

"Quando è l'esatto contrario di sua sorella?" The woman asked him before looking at me.

{she's the complete opposite of her sister?}

"Sì, in senso buono."

{Yes, in a good way.

"Da quello che ho sentito, hai già dovuto punire la tua nuova moglie." His dad replied.

{From what I hear, you already had to punish your new wife.}

"Sì," he replied, looking back at his dad.

{yes}

"L'hai informata di tutte le regole," his mom replied.

{Have you informed her of all the rules?

"no, avevo intenzione di examinable con lei sabato sera dopo aver risolto libero scambio di moglie," Alexander replied to his mom. During the whole conversation, he softly wiped my knuckles with the pad of his thumb.

{no, I planned on going over them with her Saturday night after we sort out the whole wife swap.}

"Avrai bisogno di più uomini fuori domani sera?" He replied as he took a swig of his alcohol.

{Are you going to need more men outside tomorrow night?

"Forse un paio nel caso in cui non vogliamo che nulla di allemande pensino che li stiamo scoprendo."

{maybe a couple, just in case nothing alarming, we do want them to think we are on to them.}

He nods in approval.

"So, how has it been since your trip?" His mom asked me.

"Oh, it's been nice. Thank you for asking." I replied. Feeling awkward and vulnerable with them speaking in tongues.

"You are our daughter-in-law after all." She replied.

"Alexander says you made this? He asked, holding a slice of cake.

"Uh yes, sir," I replied with a small smile.

"I'll have to get you to write down the recipe so I can get my wife to make it." He says he is smiling even bigger.

"Oh, no worries, I'll just have Alexander give you it tomorrow in case I forget," I say at least I can write down the recipe, as my sister would know it.

He continues tracing the tops of my knuckles, softly stopping.

"Where is your ring?" He asked me seriously.

"I took it off so I could wash all the dishes earlier, I replied carefully, not understanding what the big deal was.

"Excuse us, Father, my wife, and I have something to discuss." He says he's pulling me away.

Practically dragging me into the kitchen to look by the sink for the ring.

Which, thankfully, was still there.

He roughly grabbed my hand and slid it on.

"Wife, this will be the last time that I tell you to keep your ring on. If you take it off again, you will be punished." He says his tone is not wavering.

"You can't be serious," I say, looking at him, the roughness with which he shoved the wrong back hurt my finger.

"Oh, wife, I'm dead serious. Keep the ring on." He tells me:

This man is always so demanding. Do this do that.

Mentally rolling my eyes, tomorrow night I'd be home, free to go back to my own life, not my sister's house with her husband.

I could last that long. Don't blow either of our covers; it should be simple enough.

I will have to tell my sister about not taking the ring off. You know, warn her.

"Understand?" He asks me, his eyebrow arched in question.

"Uh yes. I understand." I say, looking around for Atlas, maybe he'd save me from this uncomfortable subject.

He firmly grabs my jaw, turning me so my gaze meets his.

"I need you to tell me what you understand so we are on the same page." He demanded me.

"I understand that you don't want me to take the ring off, so I won't lose it," I said, looking at him.

"Good girl," he says before pecking my lips softly.

"Let's go socialize, "he says.

"I'm feeling kind of tired. I'm probably going to call it a night." I said, looking at him.

"Okay, baby. If you want to call Atlas up there with you, he's in the living room." He says, grabbing himself a small assortment of food.

He hands it to me.

"Eat this before you lay down."

"Okay," I say, carrying the plate, and I walk over to the living room.

"Atlas." I softly shout, getting his attention. He wags his tail and runs to me.

"Come on, boy, let's go lay down," I say, patting my leg and starting to walk back up to the bedroom. I open the door quietly, wait for Atlas to come in, and softly close the door behind him.

I set the plate on the dresser. I turn my phone on, and the battery is slowly dying.

Dad

See you tomorrow at 11 p.m.; have your sister see you soon.

I replied okay, see you tomorrow at 11
I deleted the message and turned the phone back off, sliding it back into my jacket pocket.

I knew my dad would likely pick the most secluded area by Alexander's house to do the swap. I would leave my clothes here and just leave with myself. I'd give her the ring he bought her. Then he wouldn't even know it happened, I think.

I reach down and let Atlas's guilt start to set in.