Get your hands off me!

Sandra's Pov

The next two months blurred into dress fittings, food tastings, and everything I was supposed to love about getting married. Except that I hated it. 

I moved through it like a ghost, nodding when I was supposed to, signing documents I didn't read and playing the dutiful daughter preparing for the wedding of the century.

Maya was there through all of it, supportive, encouraging and telling me it would work out. I wanted to believe her but every time I tried reaching Zadok to explain, to beg for forgiveness, my messages disappeared. 

Calls went unanswered and my emails bounced back.

It was like he erased me completely and I couldn't blame him.

The night before the wedding, I was summoned to my father's study for a "final formality." Dorian was there, along with a lawyer I didn't recognize.

"Just a few documents," my father said casually. "Standard prenuptial agreements, asset protection, nothing unusual."

I stared at the stack of papers, vision blurring again. 

"Sandra," Dorian said gently. "It is just a formality."

I didn't care. I picked up the pen and signed over and over again, too numb to read and too defeated to care.

When it was done, my father smiled. "Excellent."

"Can I go now?"

"Yes, princess. Get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."

I left in a daze, body moving on autopilot.

It wasn't until I was back in my room, staring at the wedding dress hanging in the corner, that reality sank in.

Tomorrow I would walk down the aisle.

Tomorrow I would marry a man I didn't love.

Tomorrow my life would become a cage I'd never escape.

I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the small curve.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "This is for you. I'm so sorry."

………

My hair stylist and makeup artist arrived early, transforming me into someone I didn't recognize. They painted my face, curled my hair and dressed me in white silk that felt like a shroud.

I looked beautiful, snatched like a proper bride.

I looked like a lie.

Maya: You've got this. I'm here for you.

I stared at the text before deleting it. She wasn't going to be at the wedding. She had an interview yesterday and her flight got delayed so she couldn't make it to town. 

It wasn't her fault, but I blamed her still. 

An hour before the ceremony, I was alone in a side room, staring at my reflection when the door opened and my father stepped inside.

"You looked perfect."

I didn't respond.

He crossed the room and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I knew this wasn't easy, Sandra. But you were doing the right thing."

"Was I?"

"Yes." His grip tightened slightly. "You were protecting your child and securing your future. In time, you'd see this was the best choice and I am doing it because I love you."

I felt nothing but emptiness. Minutes after he left, I headed toward the door for water.

That's when I heard low and conspiratorial voices outside. Carefully, I pressed my ear to the wood.

"...documents were ironclad." Dorian's lawyer said— I recognised his voice from yesterday. "Once the marriage is finalized, the child became a Carrington. Full custody will be transferred to the family, with Lord Whitmore as primary guardian."

My blood ran cold.

"And the mother?" Dorian's voice.

"She has no parental authority or legal claim. She can't leave with the child or make decisions without the family's approval."

I stumbled back, hand flying to my mouth as realisation hit me. 

This had never been about protection.

They were going to take my baby and this marriage was a prison disguised and I had signed the papers that locked me inside.

Panic surged, hot and blinding. I looked at the door, at the dress, at the mirror reflecting someone I didn't know.

I had one choice left.

I had to stop this wedding, no matter what it cost.

……….

Moments later, a loud knock at my door startled me. I got myself together, put on a fake smile and opened the door. 

It was Dorian.  

“What do you want?” I barked.

“Easy tigress, won't you let your man in?”

“My man? I don't see a man. I only see a conniving boy with an overconstipated ego and yet he can't get shit done on his own.”

"At least I got your dad on my side. Give me my credit.”

“What the fuck do you want in my room Dorian.”

He took a step forward and I took one back. Slowly, he walked closer, reaching out to touch me. 

Mentally, I shrieked, my teeth already trembling in my mouth. 

“Get your hands off me!”

But he didn't, instead, he made a trail from my cheekbone to my shoulders down to my lower back. He was inches away and his breath on my skin made me shiver with cold. 

“Stop it, Dorian!” 

“Why? You are my wife and all of this… belongs to me, wife.” He said, running his hands down my lower body. 

“Not yet! Until I wed you, you have no right to call me wife.”

He snickered and took another step closer.

My survival instincts got a better part of me and I hit him in between his legs, causing him to fall backwards. 

“Bitch! How dare you?”

He charged towards me, anger burning in his eyes. He was going to hurt me. I knew he was going to hurt me. So I rushed to my bedside table and pulled out the scissors I kept there.

“Take one step closer Dorian Carrington and I swear I will end your life. I will slit your throat and tear your skin apart. And trust me, I will make sure I bury your body where no one will find it.”

He paused in his tracks, suddenly shocked by my bravery. Even I was shocked by my bravery, even though I was shaking inside. 

“You are a monster Dorian and I will make sure the whole world gets to know just who you are. I will ruin you”

He studied me for a moment and I thought I had won but he looked amused. And then he burst out laughing.

“Empty treats. You have no power, no influence behind being a daddy's girl.”

“I am not scared of you. And that's all the power I need. You just wait and see.”

He stared for a moment and then slowly began to retreat, still laughing. 

“Rest, princess. Get all the energy you want because in a few hours, you become my wife.

And I will do with you as I please.”