Page 10 of Beautiful Revenge
Harlow
Albert,
I know this will take you by surprise. For that, I’m truly sorry. But I cannot marry you.
Marriage and love should be forever. While I could walk down that aisle and marry you today, it would be wrong. We wouldn’t last.
I deserve someone I can build a life and grow old with. I’d rather be alone than to look into your eyes and make empty promises. We both deserve better.
So, on what would’ve been our wedding day, I’m going to be selfish and choose self-preservation.
Mine, and minealone,
Harlow
“You did not say that,” Chrissie whispers over the phone. “You know he’s going to know that you know.”
It may be sad that my assistant is my best friend, but when you work with someone daily and talk to that person more than anyone else on earth, it just sort of happens organically. Chrissie is that person to me. She’s sweet and funny but will lay waste to anyone who crosses me.
And she’ll do anything for me. Proof in point, stage one of my plan is underway.
“What did you want me to say? I wasn’t going to give him the wholeit’s not you, it’s mespiel. It’s not me, Chrissie. It’s totally him.”
I stand at the window of my suite and watch our family and so-called friends become increasingly fidgety. They’re shifting and talking amongst themselves while glancing up and down the aisle from Albert to the empty space where I should be entering right now.
Or, ten minutes ago.
Instead, I’m standing here in my favorite cutoff jean shorts and a tank. The wedding gown I picked out months ago is tossed on the floor in a crumpled mess.
I loved that dress. It was made especially for me. Janie paid extra for a rush job from her favorite designer in Milan.
It was just like the last six months of my life, rushed. I refuse to blame myself for being blinded by what was new and refreshing. I’ve already beat myself up over it, but not because of what I didn’t see.
No, I’d never beat myself up over that.
When I finally tore the blinders off, it took me a minute to recoup. The last thing I ever wanted was to be another Janie or Fiona. I might have a trust fund, but I’ve stayed true to who I am.
Shocked, angry,andfrightenedhave been battling it out for the winning emotion for weeks.
But, in the end, I found myself. I had to dig deep to find her, but she’s here … the parts of me that I got from my mom—strong and independent. I’ve hung onto her memory like a lifeline and kept it tucked away for times like this.
I lost sight of who I was somewhere between the time Albert convinced me to sell my apartment in SoHo that I’ve had since college and that trip to the Maldives.
The Maldives … heaven on earth for most visitors, but it will always be hell for me.
Maybe I should rethink that. Not everyone is lucky enough to stumble upon thatahamoment that changes their vision from what could only be described as utopia to a nightmarish hellscape.
Okay, so I don’t hate the Maldives. It was where I ripped off the rose-colored glasses and realized I had to save myself.
And I’m doing it up big. If Albert, Fiona, and Janie are hell-bent on the wedding playing out on the world stage, they’re damn well going to be front and center for the implosion.
I didn’t plan on having a front-row seat to the show, but there’s something satisfying about watching it go down before my eyes. I wonder if the chamber orchestra is playing the same song over and over again or if they’ve switched it up.
“I wish there was a way I could be in two places at once,” Chrissie says, pulling me back to more important matters. “I’m worried about you being there by yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I might as well be locked up in a tower. If I have to hide out, at least I chose well. This place is phenomenal. It’s like I’ve been transported back centuries in Europe. I’ll bring you here as soon as everything is taken care of.”
“Okay, Rapunzel, but I’m not sure if that’s dreamy or creepy as hell.”
