Page 5 of Betrayed By Sin
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
I don’t know if his words were meant as reassurance or warning.
Maybe both.
The day drags, slow and dreamlike.Servants bustle in and out of rooms, the scent of freshly baked bread and herbs drifting through the halls, mingling with the ever-present aroma of old money.
I avoid everyone.I don’t know how to exist here yet.
But as the sun shimmers downward Cameron tells me to get ready.
We’re having a family dinner.
The soft murmur of the estate is distant, a quiet hum that wraps around me as I step into the bedroom. The late afternoon sun casts a golden glow through the windows, but the stillness in the air weighs heavy. The nerves creeping in.
I move toward the edge of the room, my fingers brushing the delicate lace curtains that hang from the windows, the fabric rustling slightly as a breeze enters. The room feels like it’s not quite mine yet. The floor beneath my feet is polished, the walls adorned with portraits of people I don’t know. And then, as if by magic, my eyes are drawn to the bed.
A dress.
I blink, stepping closer to get a better look. It’s a soft emerald green, the color of a forest at dusk, with intricate lace details along the hem and neckline. The dress is laid out carefully, as if someone took the time to ensure it would be perfect for me.
I reach out with trembling fingers, lifting it gently off of the bed. The silk fabric feels cool to the touch, and as I hold it up against my body, it seems to shimmer in the soft light, as if it were made just for me. The neckline is modest but graceful, and the skirt flares out in a way that promises elegance without trying too hard.
My throat tightens as I trace the fabric between my fingers, wondering how many years it’s been since someone cared enough to do something so thoughtful for me. Then my thoughts trail to Bria.
I’ve tried not to think of her, the girl who has become my best friend. Was she involved? Did she know the whole time?
I doubt it. She despises the Rusco’s, she would have killed me if she knew then. I really was Sin’s dirty little secret.
I shake the thoughts away, noticing a small envelope tucked in between the sheets and comforter. I unfold it carefully, the handwriting inside as delicate as the dress itself.
Magnolia,
I chose this dress for you, to make sure you feel beautiful tonight. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been together, there is so much Iwant,no… that I need to say to you.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there when you needed me most as you were growing up. But now that you’re finally home, I want to make it right.
Please forgive me for everything.
I swallow, blinking away the unexpected sting in my eyes.
Tonight, you’ll meet some of the family. They’ve all been eager to see you. I know it must feel overwhelming, but I promise, everyone is so glad you’re here. You’re part of something much bigger than yourself. Part of our family. My hope is that tonight will be a first step towards rebuilding everything we lost.
The years may be gone but there is always a future to be had.
Wear this tonight, my darling. I picked out a dress that was as beautiful as you, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to you.
Love,
Maria Rusco
I hold the note against my chest for a moment, trying to steady the rush of emotions threatening to overtake me. The words are more than I expected. But there’s something about them, something about my mother’s voice, raw and vulnerable, that leaves me feeling both comforted and conflicted.
I’ve avoided her since I arrived, but maybe I should open up a little.
Taking a deep breath, I set the note aside and focus on the dress again. Slowly, carefully, I slip it over my head, smoothing it over my body as the fabric flows effortlessly down. It fits perfectly, hugging my waist and flaring out just enough to give the dress a graceful shape. My fingers reach for the delicate buttons at the back, fastening them one by one, the slight pressure making me feel more grounded, more real in this space I still don’t fully understand.
I stand in front of the gold rimmed mirror and look at myself. The woman reflected back at me is unfamiliar. She’s someone stronger than the girl I was before, someone different from the orphan I used to be.
