I walk into the bedroom with Marco at my heels. My body jumps as I hear the door slamming. Ignoring his tantrum, I walked through to the bathroom.Getting showered quickly, I wrap the towel around my body and walk through to the walk-in wardrobe. His eyes follow me as I do. Grabbing underwear, I sit down. Using the towel, I begin to dry my hair.The air is thick with tension. I’m not ready to address the issues, though. Apparently, Marco is, I look up and see him approaching in the mirror.“You took off your fucking ring. Like it meant nothing!”“And you walked out on me.” The words hurt me to say.“That’s different. I didn’t make out like this engagement was nothing.” He moves and sits behind me. His hands take the towel from mine and rubs my hair between it. I glance at him, confused by his actions.“I am sorry, but I didn’t remove the ring because I felt the engagement was nothing. I was going to have to tell them my dad sold me to someone, and I was forced into an engagement. Havi

While looking at dresses, Alice acts weird. She keeps glancing towards the door, but when I ask, she says she’s okay. After finding her dress, we joined the others. I keep leaving when people come to drop off gifts.Sitting as we talk, I explain more about the night my dad had drugged me to sell me. Now they understand how it happened. They all looked shocked, and while I wanted to act like it was nothing, I had to tell them. There’s a chance something would be mentioned by Marco or one of the others, and it would raise questions.So now everyone knows, not in full detail, just he drugged me, and let people essentially test drive me before putting in offers. I find myself laughing a lot. Harry keeps trying to touch me, which is weird. It’s sly moves, like his finger stroking the side of my leg. Sometimes he reaches past me to get something and purposes rubs his arm across my legs.I’ve moved a few times to put space between us, but he moves over again. Jane also looks at me, worried,

I stay in bed with Marco and watch him sleep, after half an hour of cuddling into him, I climb out of bed. Getting dressed and packing a bag I carry it downstairs.“Hey, sis.” Dario hugs me. “He finally asleep?”Nodding I laugh. “Finally, he thinks I’m with him so he might actually sleep.” I place my bag down.“You ready for your night away?”“Honestly, no, it feels weird.” I laugh, and he nods.“Your guests are coming soon, are they not?” Matteo looks at me.“Yeah.” I’m not looking forward to it. I don’t get why they didn’t want Marco there. They tried to reassure me it was because of the tradition where the woman spends time alone with her family. I’m not family, though, or I don’t feel like it.“Don’t worry, you will be fine. There will be multiple soldiers in there. They are getting everything set up.” Dario hugs me and walks away. Sighing, I take the bag and place it at the front door. Walking through to the kitchen I look around.“Miss Salvadore, most of the food is almost ready

We spend the morning alone together, except for the moments we have to be perfect hosts to guests dropping off gifts. All the gifts have been showcased, as I call it, in the main room on the larger table.The only gift that isn’t, is the one from Giovi, which Marco insisted wasn’t exactly a wedding gift, more a welcome to the family gift. I still remember it, after Mr Olson left Marco had picked up the box and asked what it was.When I explained, and he opened it, he was visibly shocked. There was a look that said he knew something, or was hiding something. Then well, he insisted I put it in the bedroom as it wasn’t a wedding gift.I peer across at him, his eyes on the phone. Sure he said it’s just us today, but he’s been on the phone all day, constantly working. I wonder how he will cope tomorrow, or will we be saying our vows and him be sending messages from his phone?He looks up and sees me staring at him. “Sorry.”“If it’s important, just sort it.” I have a feeling he’s trying to

I woke alone in the room that began this whole journey. The other side of the bed is cold, and that hurts. I know we aren’t meant to be together. I just hoped Marco would stay and break the rules. The light knocking has me climb from the bed. Wrapping the gown around myself, I smile.“Morning, bride!” Felicity pulls me from the room. “Breakfast with us ladies. Then get ready.” She is so fucking energetic. Sitting, we eat and talk, I look at Alice, and she keeps glancing towards the clock.I feel fucking awful. “Alice, go.” Her head shakes. “Take your dress, go, and meet us there in two hours or come back here if you have time. It’s fine, honestly.” I can’t imagine how she feels not seeing her baby all night.She hugs me and walks off, and I watch two soldiers leave as well. Are they following her already? Sighing, I try and forget about it for today.“Something wrong?” Felicity looks at me.“No, she just had arrangements. I know it won’t take her long.” She only gets an hour in the mo