CHAPTER 2

BETRAYAL

 CEICLY

    I ascend the stairs of Bruno's mansion to his bedroom, gathering the sides of my dress upward to keep from tripping.

A tiny voice in my head keeps whispering "let go," but my desire to get to the bottom of this is stronger, so I keep climbing. Something is definitely wrong, and I need to hear from my man. I can't give up on us just like that.

Earlier today, shortly before the wedding, I spoke to Bruno over the phone. Everything was fine. He promised me forever and listed all the sweet things he wanted to do to me tonight.

 There was no hesitation in his voice-I kind of have a sixth sense for that. And now, he suddenly loves Chloe and wants to marry her?

This has to be a setup.

Bruno must be caught up in something. Threats maybe. 

If that's the case, we can run away.  Far away. Get married in private. He needs to say the word.

 God, please help him say the word.

    "Hmm! Fuck...yes. YES. YES. Right there, baby...hmm."

       "Yeah...yeah...Yes," a feminine voice moans as I approach Bruno's partially closed door.  I  was raised to know that spying is bad manners. But the last I checked, Bruno lives with Charlie, his younger brother, who left for the UK months ago to chase his pilot dreams. This is Bruno's room, and whoever owns that voice definitely has company.

Bruno?

No. No, it can't be. 

Relax, Ceicly. Relax.

I take two deep breaths that do little to steady my nerves. I pause in my tracks. 

   "Yes, baby...right there.

Uh-huh..." 

       "Oh! You make me feel  so good..."

The voice grows louder, filling the hallway, pulling me forward. I move closer to the door, my eyes picture Chloe's unmistakable, slender back, her salamander tailbone tattoo moving rhythmically as she rides him.

Isn't it crazy how life works? Some people cry while others have what seems like the best sex of their lives. 

Who is he?

    "So tell me, baby," Chloe says, slowing her pace. "Me or that good -for-nothing little punk? Who tastes better?"

He chuckles, stroking her back.

  "You, my love. She could never compare." 

Wait. I know that voice.  BRUNO?

Oh my goodness! I clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from sobbing.  

How could he?

 "You know, I never loved her," he continues. "My heart's always been yours. I've  just been saving the best for later." He kisses her stomach. 

 "I loved the look of shame on her despicable face. She'll probably be wishing she'd died alongside her ugly mother in that accident. Silly punk!" They both laugh.

I do understand Chloe's hate for me. I really do.  To her and Elena, I've always been the obstacle between them and Dad's fortune. A rival. I get that.

But Bruno? 

He knows everything I've survived. He held me after Mum died. Told me he hated them both and promised to take me away. He's been mine since our early teens. Mum knew him, loved him. Gave us her blessings before she passed.

Since Mum died, I've been lonely. Bruno gave me hope. A life away from torment and now?...

Was it all fake?

A sob escapes my lips, and the sound freezes them. 

   "Shit! Ceec?" He scrambles to his feet. How long have you been standing there?" 

   "How could you, Bruno? I trusted you with my life." 

 My vision blurs. I wipe the tears away quickly. I know I look horrible, and of course, Chloe points it out.

 "Ha! Look at you, honey. So pathetic." She doesn't bother covering herself.  "You should take that dress off already.  There was never going to be a wedding. Not while I'm around. Right, baby?" She winks at Bruno, who pulls on his pants and a half-buttoned shirt, his chest still bare.

  "I didn't come here for you, Chloe." My voice shakes. "I should have known better."

 "Say something, Bruno. What did I do wrong? Is it a crime to love? Am I stupid for loving your ass? Answer me!" His cold eyes meet mine. Finally.

  "Yes. Yes, you are, Ceicly. Stupid. Anything more, huh?"

"Who loves a person since sixth grade? " He almost laughs. "You should have been smarter. I could've married you years ago if I wanted to. Real men don't take that long to decide." He reaches for  Chloe, pulls her close. That's why I'm marrying her in a few days."

He kisses her forehead. She grabs his neck and pulls him into a deeper kiss.

My heart stops.

  A huge lump lodges in my throat, making it hard to salivate. I can't move. Can't breathe. Watching them together destroys me in a way I can't explain. My confidence evaporates, shame engulfing me.

Now it's clear. He wasn't forced. He never loved me.

I'm nothing but a loser.

No. No, I'm not. I can't be.  

"I hate you lying ass, Bruno!"I scream from somewhere deep. "I hate you!"

"Get out, slut," Chloe throws a pillow. It hits my chest and falls. "Maybe from now, your lame brain starts working."

 "And be home on time, sister." She smiles. "Don't keep daddy waiting."

     *****

   "Here comes your good- for-nothing daughter, Patrick."

Elena scoffs as I walk into the living room. "Look at her. A godforsaken creature."

She's right.

I had walked to the park after leaving Bruno's, had to clear my head. Then came a heavy downpour. At the moment, it felt like heaven was sad just like me. At least I have company, and maybe, just maybe, it could wash my sadness away. So I stayed.

It didn't.

 Here I am, shivering and dripping wet. My white dress is now dirty brown.

A horrible-looking godforsaken bride indeed. 

     Dad's bulgy eyes roll towards me. My pulse quickens as he approaches.

He stares at me for a long moment. Then, in a flash, my head snaps left. Right. Left. The latter sends me stumbling to the floor, my ears ringing.

    "HOW DARE YOU PATHETIC FOOL!" 

At least my auditory organ still works.

"YOU DRAG MY NAME THROUGH THE MUD!"

I tremble at his feet, unable to speak. 

Dad never laid a hand on me before Elena. 'MY JEWEL, that's what he calls me. But now, I'm nothing but a piece of shit on his shoe.  Would he even believe me if I said Chloe stole my man?

How do I even explain that? A grown, twenty-eight-year-old man? 

But silence isn't working.

Enough, Ceicly. Get up. Defend yourself. You're twenty-two years old.

I gather my ruined dress and rise to my feet, meeting his fiery eyes.

    "This isn't my fault, Dad. Chloe st_."

Another resounding slap lands on my jaw, attracting hot tears.

  "You male- centered imbecile!" Elenas spits. "Don't you dare speak my Chloe's name. How dare you?"

"Father." Chloe appears in the hallway, perfectly composed. "Cecily tried to brainwash Bruno into marrying her. She wanted to steal my man." She fakes a sob. Elena wraps an arm around her. "But Bruno loves me. He's a man of his word."

 "Listen, you pathetic thief. I never want to set my eyes on you again. From this moment, I have just one daughter. Chloe. You don't exist to me. No daughter of mine would stoop so low, disgracing me in public over some unsure man."

Is Daddy really disowning me? Just like that.

How could he be so insensitive? He wouldn't even listen to me.

   "Now go in there," He points to my room upstairs, gather your belongings, and get out of my house; I can't live with a despicable creature like you."

He pauses.

If only you'd died alongside your mother."

Dad's words feel like a long sword jabbing into my bleeding wound, turning a 360 degree, inflicting more pain. He hates me.  How could he? I sob uncontrollably, ignoring Elena and Chloe's loud giggles. This has always been their wish, and I wouldn't plead for their mercy. Not this time.

 My legs wobble as I use the stairs to my room. A mess indeed, glittering sequin particles, makeup brushes and palette, shoes...

 I  ignore the sight, gather my important stuff into a medium-sized box and a few suitcases.

Daddy says nothing as I walk past him with my belongings. He barely even looks at me.

I can't believe I'm leaving a house filled with my childhood memories this way, especially Mum's. For sure, she'll be happy I choose to leave,  and not beg. This isn't home anymore. Not for me.

I toss my bag into the back seat of my SUV, the only thing I can boast of at the moment.

I drive into the night. My life flashing before me. No love, no solace, only hate. I really should go.

I deserve a fresh start.

Where do I start from?