Glass Walls

Chapter One

"Aziza, you have to smile. Not too much though—you don’t look beautiful when you show too much teeth."

Mother’s words rang through my head as I forced myself to smile at the dozens of cameras flashing my way. You’d think with the way the paparazzi accosted us that I’d be used to them by now, but I wasn’t, and I don’t think I ever will be.

Wilbet held my waist in a punishing grip as I tried not to wince because just underneath my custom Versace dress throbbed a huge bruise  a reminder of when he had  pushed me down the stairs earlier that day.

Wilbet had a very short fuse

That's what his parents and my mother would tell you to make up for his excessiveness. But the truth is that Wilbet was a very abusive man.

I didn’t know he was like this when we got married. Not like it would have stopped me from marrying him, but at least it would have given me time to prepare. My wedding was the only thing I had done right, according to my mother. You see, I wasn’t even supposed to be born. My mother already had my sister and my brother, and she was content with her happy little family—until, well, me.

She never fails to remind me what bad luck I am because when she got pregnant with me, she was at the peak of her career. And let's be honest nobody wants a pregnant model. She took so much time bouncing back that it's safe to say her career never recovered after my birth. Hence, the hate.

I smiled a little for the cameras as Wilbet guided me inside the lavish restaurant where an exclusive dinner event was being held. I was tired of this life,waking up and getting dolled up to play pretend for the world as Wilbet Gregory’s wife.

I know I might sound ungrateful because a lot of people would kill to be in my shoes,a rich husband, unlimited credit cards, a chance to frolic with the cream of the crop. A fairytale life to those behind the lens.

But not to me.

I remember meeting Wilbet sometime last year at a gala I attended with my mother. I had no other option. It was either that or endure her mouthing me off the next week, and seeing as I value my peace and quiet, I followed her. Draped in silk and pearls, I looked pretty enough to attract someone suitable, Mother had said after giving me a once-over. Though, I suspect she never guessed that he would be that interested in me. Hell, I didn’t even expect it.

Turns out Mr. Gregory was very much interested in me, which came as a shock because anyone who spent a couple of minutes with me left I  was an absolute bore. Something I had to do because I could not see myself marrying someone as stuffy or aristocratic as my mother’s posé.

But Wilbet had stuck—annoyingly so and had refused to leave me. All my attempts to get him to leave me alone proved futile. And when he noticed I wasn’t giving him any attention, he started to woo me with the most extravagant gifts from beautiful gold pieces to high-end emeralds and rubies—in a bid to get my attention.

He got someone’s attention, that’s for sure.

My mother’s.

She began her usual pestering for me to accept his proposal. This was the very first man to show interest in me, and if I let him go, nobody might pay any attention to me. I wasn’t pretty like darling, beloved Cassandra, nor was I smart and innovative like sweet Noah.

So, I did what any sensible person would do.

I accepted Wilbet’s proposal because, one, I didn’t have a choice—my mother would have made my life a living hell if I had denied him—and two, he seemed like a nice person. What harm could be done?

Boy, was I wrong.

The wedding was planned by my mother and Wilbet’s parents and, like anyone guessed, was very grand. They wanted nothing short of the best for their only son. My mom only cared about the bragging rights this would bring her. I mean, two daughters marrying into wealth and a son who's one step closer to receiving the Nobel Prize? My mom was on the freaking moon.

On my wedding day, I stood in the bridal suite, makeup done. My elegant Vera Wang dress made me look stunning, but despite the beautiful exterior, I was a mess inside. Was I really about to do this? Tie the knot with someone I barely knew because of a few gifts?

If I called off this wedding now, sure, it would be embarrassing, but people would still talk about it, right? Giving my mother what she wants there’s nothing like bad publicity, right?

I picked up my bouquet, sighing helplessly. I wished I had someone to talk to. My sister barely said a word to me—even while growing up. It seemed as though, to her, I didn’t exist. And if my feelings were hurt, why would she care? She had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand.

It was even worse with Noah, who was closer to my age always buried in work. I doubt he even remembered he had a younger sister. He wasn’t even here for my wedding.

But Cassandra was.

I wished that maybe she’d just come inside and reassure me that it was pre-wedding jitters, that it would all pass. But she didn’t. No one did.

No one came to the bridal suite.

And no one walked me down the aisle.

I was alone. Just as I had always been.

Even my husband didn’t smile, grin, or cry when he saw me—left me wondering if this wasn’t the same man who had wooed me endlessly.

I would later come to understand that Wilbet never really loved me.

He was almost in the same position as I was.

Unwanted.

While my reason for being undesirable was because I was a bore and practically chased all the men away from me, Wilbet’s was much worse.

And like a fool I fell for him Hook, line, and bloody sinker.

Your wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. The day you wear a pretty dress, look like a princess, and marry the love of your life.

Mine was anything but.

And the fact that I don’t get to have a do-over crushes me to this day.

A painful squeeze by my side snaps me back to reality.

"You’re zoning out too much. Where’s your mind at?" Wilbet whispered in my ear as I flashed a tentative smile.

"Nowhere."