Page 91 of Silver Sinner

35

LAYLA

This isn't how I dreamed my wedding would be.

In truth, I've never given it much thought. I never dreamed about it as a child. Never giggled about it in high school. Never played it out in my head after I ran away from home. It was just a thing that wasn't meant to be a signpost in my life and that didn't change after Maddie was born. The idea of finding someone who loved Maddie and me enough to make that kind of commitment was daunting so I kept it out of my mind.

Until now.

Now I stand in a small room in front of a mirror, in a dress that's too figure-hugging and frilly for my liking, with the clock on the wall loudly ticking down to the moment the words 'I do' will cross my lips and my life will be over.

Six weeks.

Six weeks since I last saw Pierce. Six weeks since Trik stole me away and locked Maddie and I up in a room to stay until the time came. Six weeks of threats and beatings, of throwing myself at Trik's mercy to protect Madeline because he knew I'd do anything to keep her safe. Six weeks of using sickness and more to dodge him, especially after one night when he came in drunk and tried to rape me. He couldn't get it up, the pathetic weasel of a man, but I bore the brunt of his anger.

Better me than Maddie, and he didn't visit for a full two weeks after. It was as close to bliss as I could get.

As brutal as it's been, enduring it to keep that smile on Maddie's face has been worth it, until now. These past weeks in solitude have dulled her. I've shielded her from Trik's violence, but she looks at my bruises and helps me clean up countless split lips without complaint. Each one quietens her a bit more until she remains silent and calm, tucked in corners reading the few books I scraped together for her. She reads one now, perched on the chair near the window while running her hands over the page.

"Maddie?" I turn to face her and she lifts her tired face.

“Yes, Mommy?"

"How do I look?" Forcing my widest smile, I run my hands down the frilly lace bodice to the puffed-out, frilly skirt.

"Like a cloud," Maddie replies. "Like a cloud princess!" There's a spark of joy in her eyes, but it fades as she returns to her book, and my already broken heart aches.

I've spent every night since dreaming of Pierce somehow finding us and rushing in with a dramatic rescue. Every morning I wake to the cold bite of reality.

I don't care that he's mafia.

I don't care that he hid that from me.

I care that he chose me. He saved Maddie. He saved both of us. I care that he grew to love me and that I never felt safer than when I was with him. I never felt more adored and desired. I care that he brought smiles to Maddie's face and delight into her heart.

That's what I care about.

Night after night, I'd pray and scream that out in my mind as if it would somehow reach him, and he could come and find me one last time.

It never worked. He never came. I don’t even know if he's alive.

Suddenly, the door swings open and Trik drags me from my wandering thoughts with a wet sniff. I immediately step between him and Maddie.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"We're getting married, where the fuck else would I be?"

"It's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony," I reply tightly.

Trik snorts. "Bad luck for you, maybe. Come on, it's time. Anastasia's here."

My stomach opens like a pitfall as my heart begins to race. "Anastasia?"

"Yeah, my great aunt? Didn't I tell you?" A cold smirk plays on his lips, because he knows he didn't tell me anything.

I shake my head and a curl falls from the twisted braid in my hair. "Who is she?"

"She's one of the big dogs." He snaps his teeth together and walks closer. "She controls so much shit back in Russia, and without her approval, this wouldn't be happening. Luckily, since I got that big Irish cunt to back down, I look amazing in her eyes and all she cares about is an heir, even more than my father. Oh yeah, did I tell you that Pierce gave up on you? A month was all you were worth before he went back to his old life. Which makes you all mine. And once the ceremony is over, Anastasia will take Madeline back to Russia with her to be raised properly."