Page 27 of Wicked Vows
I want to hug her, but I’m still pissed at her.
She reads the discomfort on my face easily enough.“Sister, I’ve missed you.Aren’t you going to greet me properly?”
“Of course.”I pull her in for a hug, careful not to press on her protruding belly.“There’s so much to catch up on.”I greet Frankie and pull Lynette away to the library to talk.He goes to find my husband, I am sure.
“So tell me everything,” I demand as we settle in on the sofa.
“I wanted to tell you, Odd One.I truly did, but you have to know that I couldn’t risk Father finding out and making me abort the baby and killing Frankie.I love him.”
I want to understand.To forgive.To be happy for her.I do.I want her to have all she’s dreamed of and more.She’s my sister, and I love her greatly, but I can’t forget what she’s done to me so easily.
“Tell me you forgive me and that you’ll get pregnant soon enough and we can raise our babies together.Nico has offered Frankie a place in his organization.He said we could live here with you as long as you’ll have us.Isn’t that fantastic?”She squeezes my hands as I try to process this news.
My thoughts drift to the photos of Marco and Frankie meeting, and an additional worry niggles at the back of my mind.
“My brother has his own agenda,” Nico’s words play in my thoughts.
“How long have you and Frankie been a thing?”
“I don’t know.It just sort of happened.One day he was following me around like a lost puppy.You know he was always lurking.”
“Because that was his job,” I remind her as my stomach sinks with unwelcome thoughts.
“Yeah, well, whatever.That’s not important.I was walking, and I tripped.Only Frankie caught me in his strong arms, and he was staring at my lips like he wanted to kiss me, and I just planted one on him.He kissed me back, and well, here we are.”
“And here we are,” I repeat."You could have told me or at least warned me.”
“Nico treats you well, doesn’t he?Don’t be cross with me, little sister.I’m so happy and in love.I do wish you could have married for love like I have, but look at this house.You should thank me.”She squeals.
My sister would be horrified to know exactly how Nico treats me.Hot and cold.A plaything for when he is bored.A stand-in for the woman he really loves but can’t have because he probably killed her in the middle of one of his games.Maybe it was a tragic accident, but my reality remains.I’m married to a man who doesn’t love me.A man who will never love me.This house is evil and cold.Haunted.
I decide to focus on other things.Happier things.“Do you know what you’re having?”
“They say a girl, but I think the doctor is wrong.I’m going to break Mother’s curse.I’m going to have a son.You’ll see.”
I smile at my sister and try to be happy that she’s here.That I won’t be alone after all.
The day passes by in a blur.My sister and Frankie get settled into their room down the hall from Nico and me.Except unlike us, they will actually sleep in the same bed.
I haven’t told Lynette any of my troubles, and I don’t plan to.Making her feel guilty wouldn’t be good for the baby.And it isn’t like making her feel bad will change anything.This is my lot in life.One of us should be happy.
Maybe Frankie truly loves her, and the photos of him with Marco are about business.
I don’t have time to dwell on it.I have to get ready for the party tonight.
Back in my room, I find my costume like Ms.Bentley promised.
Persephone.The Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld.How fitting, since I’m married to the devil.
But my costume isn’t all that is waiting for me.There’s a leather-bound journal with scorch marks.Who left his here and why?
I pick up the book, smelling the burned pages.I can’t resist flipping it open.There’s her name.This book belongs to: Catherine.
Many pages are blank or missing, but toward the back there’s one entry that captures my attention.
He hates me.He doesn’t love me.He doesn’t want me.He never did.I saw him with her.His other woman.He’s going to leave me because I lost the only thing he ever wanted from me.
What does she mean?A baby?Was she pregnant and lost Nico’s child?Did he cheat on her?I flip through the pages, but there are no more words.Only a picture with the man’s face cut out.He’s standing next to Catherine, and she’s wearing the dress lying on my bed.
