Chapter Two

Sorry, Mum and Dad. I love you, and I would do almost anything for you, but there’s one thing I can't do: be forced to marry a man I don’t love, and worse, over a business deal.

I’m sorry. Please don’t look for me.**

I can not believe what I just read. My heart races as I frantically search the bedroom. “Eva!” I shout, tearing through the bathroom and the closet. Then, in my peripheral vision, I see an open window. She must have left through there.

I rush toward the window, but all I see is a rope hanging all the way down. She’s already gone.

I step back, feeling numb, and sit on the bed, trying to think through what to do. But then I remember the letter, the word “deal.” So the marriage was a business arrangement? Why? I know my uncle is strict, but not to the point of practically selling his daughter for the sake of a deal.

I’m angry at Aunt Becky and Uncle Martin for using her like this, but I'm also disappointed in Eva for not confiding in me. Yes, the death of Nate made me a little distant, but still, she was the only trusted friend and family I had. I feel guilty for not paying more attention to her behaviour. Maybe she gave me a hint, or at least I should have noticed it without her telling me.

But still, they need to know that Eva isn’t here, and there won’t be any wedding.

I pick up my phone and dial Aunt Becky. “Hello… hurry up and come to Eva’s room!”

“Why? What happened?”

“Just hurry up and come quickly.” I hear her movement on the other end. She’s on her way, so I end the call and wait.

The door bursts open, and Aunt Becky walks in, her eyes full of concern. “What’s wrong? What’s the matter?!” Her gaze lands on the wedding gown on the floor.

“Where is Eva?!” she demands, her voice trembling with fear.

I can’t speak. I hand her the note, silently watching as she reads it.

“What nonsense is this?” she asks, her voice surprisingly calm, but her face is starting to show her panic. “What is this you’re giving me?” At this point, I’m beyond scared.

“Where did you keep my daughter?!” she suddenly snaps, her voice filled with rage. She grabs my arm so tightly, I’m sure it will leave a bruise.

“I just came in and saw that she... she... she... left,” I whisper, barely able to form the words. I’m not sure she hears me, but I can see the anger flash in her eyes.

Uncle Martin steps forward, his face twisted with fury.

“I came in and saw the note on the floor! I didn’t do anything to her, I swear!” I plead, my eyes wide, looking to him for understanding.

But he doesn’t let me finish. I feel a sharp sting across my face as he slaps me hard. “That’s going to leave a mark,” I think numbly, my cheek burning.

“Uncle Martin?” I whisper, holding my cheek and staring at him with teary eyes.

“I took you in! Fed you! Paid for your tuition! And this is how you repay my kindness?!” he shouts, his face contorted with disgust.

“But I didn’t do anything!” I protest, now shouting in defence. I clutch my cheek, looking from him to Aunt Becky. “I barely stay in the house! And even when I did come back, I didn’t see her! I went to get my makeup done, and when I finally saw her, she asked me to get her something to eat,” I say, my voice shaking. “And before I could come back, she left!”

I can’t hold it in anymore. I break down, sobbing uncontrollably. Why would they even think I’d ever do something like this to them?

Aunt Becky scoffs. “It could be the fact that you’re jealous of her.”

I look at her in disbelief. “Why would I be jealous of her? She’s my cousin! She’s like a sister to me!” I’m crying harder now. How could they think so little of me?

“Oh, I don’t know…” Aunt Becky continues, her voice dripping with venom. “Maybe it’s because she still has both of her parents, and you want to take that away from her!” The disgust on her face makes my heart ache.

Everyone falls silent, the tension thick in the air. They’re probably thinking about how to fix their mess, but my sobs only make everything worse. Was I really that much of a burden to them? Did they ever love me?

Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Uncle Martin asks, his voice low and tense.

He opens the door, but when he sees who’s on the other side, he immediately steps outside and closes the door behind him. I can hear muffled voices, but it’s hard to make out the conversation.

A few minutes later, he returns, looking pale and scared. He pulls Aunt Becky aside and tries to whisper to her, though I can hear every word clearly.

“They’re still waiting for us,” Uncle Martin says, his voice shaking.

“Of course, they are, Martin! They came for a wedding, remember?!” Aunt Becky hisses, her voice rising with frustration.

“The groom is still waiting for his bride. He’s waiting for her to walk down the aisle,” Uncle Martin says, his voice barely audible.

“He is here for a bride, right?” Aunt Becky asks, her eyes narrowing. Uncle Martin nods.

“Then we’ll give him a bride,” Aunt Becky says, her words sinking in. Wait a minute—if Eva isn’t here, then who is going to be the bride?

The room falls completely silent. The atmosphere is tense, suffocating.

Uncle Martin storms out of the room without a word. Aunt Becky slowly returns to sit beside me.

She takes my hand gently in hers, and for a moment, I wonder what she’s thinking. What is she going to do now? Because the Aunt Becky I know isn’t this gentle. What’s going on?

This isn’t her. This isn’t how she acts. What is she planning?

She looks into my eyes, voice honey-sweet.

“Anastasia… we need to talk.”