I am not your puppy

Jade's POV 

Goosebumps as big as pimples coated my skin as I stepped out of Mom's Maserati.

It wasn't from the cold air that whipped up dresses.

It was from the fact that I was standing in front of the most luxurious bridal boutique in Sicily, dressed in my skimpy pajamas that suggested every bit of my curves.

Mom had kept her promise. She locked me up in her room, despite my protests and promises, and only dragged me out when she was ready to go look for wedding dresses.

All because I protested that I would not marry Bernard Veritas.

I caught a few heads turning in my direction as I hurried into the lounge of the boutique, with Ruby thick on my heels, shielding me.

“Wow!" Ruby gasped as we stepped into the breathtaking lounge of the boutique. 

The moment we walked through the glass doors, the world outside disappeared. 

Soft, golden light spilled across marble floors, and gentle music floated through the air—like a romantic symphony whispering promises of forever.

It was like stepping into a fairy-tale castle made just for wedding dresses.

 Every gown seems to glow on its own, displayed on velvet mannequins under delicate chandeliers that made every detail shimmer like stars.

In one corner, there was a private fitting area wrapped in soft curtains, where brides step onto a glowing platform surrounded by mirrors edged in gold. 

It looked every inch like a sanctuary of dreams.

“You must be Jade Roberts?” Someone asked softly behind us, making us turn around.

“Yes, she is!" Mom replied, stepping into the lounge, her face lit up with smiles as she looked around.

“You are welcome. I am Jenny, your assistant," the lady said with a smile. “Come over and see the dresses your fiance chose for you." 

My ears perked up. Fiancé?

“Was Bernard Veritas here?" I asked no one in particular.

“Yes, Jade. He chose this location. He said it has always been his dream that his bride gets a dress from here," Mom said dreamily.

I balled up my fists. “I am not getting any dresses here. I am not his bride," I said, turning on my heels towards the doorway.

A wave of guilt flooded my brain as realization dawned on me.

I have been swept away by the breathtaking view of this boutique, that I almost forgot I was married.

Married to Tony, and planning to marry Bernard Veritas.

I couldn't do it.

I was about to run out when a firm hand gripped my shoulder.

“Don't try it, Jade," Mom whispered through gritted teeth into my ears. “Don't you dare run. There is no turning back from here." 

I inhaled, my lungs threatening to crack my ribcage as her words sank in.

“There is no turning back from here." 

********

The first dress was a mermaid gown that hugged my hips snuggly, but pushed out my breasts like I was hawking them.

The second one was a Cinderella dress with a tight corset, almost snapping my ribs.

The third dress was modest and beautiful, not too tight or suggestive.

“Which one would you prefer?" Jenny asked, trying to mask her exhaustion with a plastered smile.

She had to smile through the stress. It was etiquette.

“None of them," I replied, my voice cold.

“But why?" Jenny asked, clearly distressed. 

"Because I don't want to get married,” I replied nonchalantly, observing her reflection on the mirror.

Jenny gulped and looked away. "It's not my place to ask, but is that the reason you came here dressed in pyjamas?”

I nodded.

"Your husband is a handsome gentleman, if you must know,” she dusted something imaginary lint from the dress. "I don't understand why you shouldn't be giddy about getting married to him. Not all men are thoughtful enough to book bridal fittings here ahead of time for their wives.”

"As you said, it is not your place to know, and it is not your business either,” I said with venom.

The fact that she praised Bernard Veritas made me hate her.

"Of course,” Jenny said with a fake smile. "Can I get you another dress?”

"You can get me my pajamas. I want to go home.”

The curtain parted, and Ruby's head popped in. Her hands flew to her mouth in awe as she stepped into the fitting area.

“My goodness, Jade, you look like a fairytale bride," she exclaimed excitedly.

“I can't see that," I replied, cold.

Ruby was right. With my golden hair in a messy ponytail, few strands framing my face, and this sparkly dress, it would have been a dream come true under the right circumstances.

But it wasn't. I was preparing to cheat.

“Can you excuse us for a moment?” Ruby said politely to Jenny.

"Of course,” Jenny replied, stepping out of the fitting area, her smile effortlessly fake.

"You are hiding something from me, Jade. This goes beyond whatever grudge you have with Bernard. Why are you not happy?” Ruby asked, her face twisted with concern.

I chuckled.

"What grudge are you talking about?” I asked, masking my displeasure with a smirk. "You mean, Bernard abusing me for years, making me feel less of myself, and trying to rape me, is a grudge?”

"Darling, I am trying to imagine all what you are claiming, but clearly, Bernard Veritas doesn't fit that profile,” Ruby said, shaking her head.

"He loves you. He has been so kind and caring since your Dad died. Bernard has always been thoughtful with you since we were teenagers. I still remember how he always surprised you with flowers and dinners that made you gasp. When did he suddenly become a villain?”

I sniffed back my tears. 

Everyone saw the gifts, but no one saw the bruises. No one saw my fear. Everyone trusted him. Mom will dress me up and send me off to dinner with Bernard, alone, even though I begged her to be our chaperone.

Even though I begged her to come see for herself how Bernard would rip up that dress and grope me, not minding the fact that we were in a rooftop restaurant.

No one saw that the flowers were peace offerings, given to shut me up and wipe his slate clean, so that no one would believe me if I ever accused him.

“You would never believe me, Ruby. It is of no need repeating the same old tale. And I would never go back to my vomit, even if it is sugar-coated in luxury wedding dresses and fake thoughtful gifts, because I am not a dog." 

“Your groom is here, Jade, and he wants to see you," Mom's head popped through the soft curtains.

"Tell him to go hug a transformer," I snapped.

“I won't tell him that, Jade, and I am not below dragging you out of this fitting area if you push me. So make your choice." Mum said, her voice threatening.

I stepped out of the fitting area into the lounge. 

I walked straight to the young man with a huge bouquet of roses smiling in front of me, oblivious of the gasps resounding from every corner of the room, my face carved out of stone.

“What do you want?" My voice dripped with venom as I faced Bernard.

“A stony face doesn't fit this dress, and this is not the dress I chose for you," Bernard replied, running his eyes slowly over my frame.

“I don't care what you think or what you chose. I am not here to please you. I am not your puppy. Now, what brings you here, Bernard Veritas?" I asked, incensed.

“I came to see how angelic my bride-to-be looks in the dress I chose for her," he replied with a smile.

"And it is my pleasure to disappoint you,” I smirked. "And just so you know, I am not your bride.”

"You would be, tomorrow at the altar. And it will be my pleasure to bend you over my bedpost and rip this dress off you, just the way I have always fantasized doing.”

I raised my hand to slap him, but he was faster.

He quickly shoved the rose bouquet into my hands and brought it down.

"Be careful of your actions, Jade. People are watching,” he warned, whispering. "You don't need a scandal at this point of your life.”

“Does it look like I give a bloody damn!" My voice was an octave higher. “I would rather risk a scandal than stay bound to your ugly fantasies!" 

“Is it no longer clear to you that you do not have a choice anymore?" Bernard sneered. “Your father willed it, your mother will make sure it happens, and I will execute it. No matter how hard you fight it Jade, you are mine to break and do as I please. And you won't stab me this time and get away with it." 

A smirk crossed my face as I dropped the roses on a chair and reached out to adjust his tie.

“In your mind, I am still twenty years old," I said steely, looking into his eyes as I pulled the material tight, strangling him.

“I am still the quivering, scared Jade, the one that wept behind closed doors and spewed threats," I continued, fisting the tie till his eyes popped.

“My parent's wishes stopped defining me, Bernard. I don't give a damn who willed what. I won't let you have your hands on my inheritance, and I would not be the doll that lives out your fantasies. I will not marry you, Bernard Veritas. Mark my words.”

He managed to remove the tie from my iron grip and gasped for air.

I gave him a wide, mischievous grin.

"And who will protect you from Luca De Santo?" Bernard asked, his dark gaze on my face.

The corners of my lips curved into an evil grin.

"Do me a favour, will you?” I requested, straightening his suit collar. "When you hear from him, tell him to go fuck himself,” I patted his chest, turn on my heels and walked off.