Isadora, look at me!

Isa

The woman that stared back at me from the mirror was calm, beautiful, and flawless, but in reality, I was a nervous wreck. The dress I had on was a fitted, sleeveless, silk dress that ended in a little train. The hairstylist had done my hair up into a set of complicated twists and knots and stuck in floral hair pins to keep the whole thing in place. My make-up was light and understated. 

Even with the minimal preparation time we had been given, somehow, the wedding had exploded. I had thought it would be a small, quiet affair. As if a wedding of one of the most influential families in the world could ever use the words small and quiet in the same sentence. 

I had entirely no say in the wedding; everything had gone through Ada Madigan, the family matron, and their grandmother. 

“Are you ready?” Father asked. 

“No. I don’t want to do this.” My voice broke. 

“I know. But you’ll soon see that it isn’t a bad thing. I promise.” He said. 

I took a deep breath, but it didn’t succeed in lessening my nerves. “Let’s do this.” I hadn’t seen my fiancé since the day I was given the unfortunate news. I had tried to reach him once, only for a rude secretary to inform me that Mr. Madigan was an extremely busy man and didn’t have time to speak to me before she had hung up. 

Today being the wedding day, was going to be the second time I’d be seeing my dearest husband. I had entirely no idea where I’d be living after today or anything. All I knew was to show up to church and get married. This whole situation was already starting off badly. 

The door opened, and River walked in. She was in a pale pink dress, her short brown hair slicked back from her face and held in place with lots of hair spray. I don’t know why she insisted on keeping her hair short. 

“Everyone is here already. Are you ready?” she asked. 

“I’m ready.” I'm as ready as I’ll ever be. 

To no one’s surprise, murmurs and whispers followed me as Father and I made our way down the aisle, Rivers trailing behind me. I ignored them all, keeping my eyes straight ahead on the man who was waiting in front of the church.

As soon as my father placed my hands in his, his grip tightened. I looked up at him in surprise. 

“Madigan,” Father said. 

“Love.” He gave my father a sharp nod. 

The exchange was weird, to say the least. 

The other three brothers stood in order behind Jude, while only my sister stood behind me. I hadn’t realized how large Jude was until I was standing before him. He didn’t look like any businessman I knew. He looked like a soldier. He was in a black suit that tapered to his muscular frame, his shoulders straining from the jacket he wore. 

He looked like everything they said he was. A killer, a villain. I choked on my next breath, much to my embarrassment. I had sworn not to give the guests anything to gossip about afterwards. I hadn’t wanted to look like I was being led to the slaughterhouse. 

“Isadora, look at me.” He tightened his hold on me. “Do not let them see your fear.” 

“I’m not afraid.” I whispered. I was terrified. 

“Don’t lie to me. Never lie to me.” He growled lowly, the sound sending electricity coursing through me. The reaction shocked me so much that my fear immediately dissipated. I blinked at him. “You would be a fool not to be afraid.” 

“Of you?” I asked. “Should I be afraid of you?” 

“yes.” He said this before signaling to the priest to carry one. 

That single word should have made me hyperventilate or pass right out, but for some reason, it was the assurance my body needed. My body settled down enough for me to get through the ceremony. 

“You may kiss the bride.” The priest finally announced. 

Jude pulled me tight into his body, and before I could even react, he swooped down and covered my mouth with his. It wasn’t my first kiss; I had had a boyfriend in college who I’d done a lot of kissing with, but in the light of what Jude was doing to me, I realized that I had never actually been kissed before.

Jude possessed my mouth, laid waste to my senses, and woke my body up in one fell swoop. What should have been a mere confirmation of our union turned into something that should only be experienced behind closed doors.

When he finally let me go, all I could do was stare at him, wondering what the heck had just happened. 

“I pronounce you husband and wife.” 

The guests stood up to cheer. 

“Are you alright? What was that?” River asked. 

“What was what?” 

She gave me a look.

Thankfully, Jude was already pulling me away from the altar and down the aisle. I struggled to keep up with his long strides, especially with my long dress and heels. But I didn’t dare complain, biting back a growl of frustration and doing my best not to fall flat on my face. 

Jude led me to the dressing room I had come out of, with his brothers and my father joining us. I looked around in surprise and confusion. “What’s going on?”

“Take her back to the house; I have a flight to catch.” Jude told his brothers. 

I gaped at him. “W-what?” 

He turned to walk away. “You can’t just abandon me here.” I screeched. He was going to humiliate me. I was never going to be able to live this down. 

“We’ll take you back home. No one’s abandoning anybody.” Theo placated. 

“Shove it, Theo.” I growled, causing the man to stumble in surprise. I marched to where Jude stood. “If you leave me here, I’ll never forgive you.” 

“When I need your forgiveness, Love, I assure you, you’ll be the first to know.” He said before walking out, the door clicking quietly behind me. It sounded more like a gunshot being fired at our sham of a marriage. 

My new husband had just abandoned me in the church, barely minutes after we had said our vows.