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His eyes glistened slightly. “I wish I could give you even more beautiful memories, Demi.”
“I’m sorry you had to do this after everything that you just saw Daisy go through.” I felt ashamed for being selfish and even asking this of Bradley.
“I didn’t have to do anything, Demi. I wanted to. What you don’t realize is that you, too, gave me the most beautiful memory of my life. A memory I’ll now hold on to every time I feel like I can’t wake up to another day in flames.” Bradley kissed me once more. And the reason I knew it was our final kiss is because he closed his eyes and whispered against my lips, “One last memory I’ll forever cherish.”
CHAPTER
FORTY
I snuck back into my room and hid my new sneakers and birth control packets at the bottom of my closet. Three months of protection. That’s all the time I had to escape and seek help from someone, not just for myself but for the rest of the girls.
The door slid open behind me and I quickly shut the closet doors.
“Baby…” His voice sliced through my body like a million daggers.
I stood and felt my blood go cold.
“I didn’t see you at the reception, but Mother told me I should let you be. What you had to withstand wasn’t what you deserve. My love, I am so sorry.” He moved toward me as I backed away from him.
“Don’t touch me, Conrad.” I put my hands up and looked at him with disgust.
“What did you just say?” Conrad’s voice shifted and he stormed up to me, wrapping his hand around my throat and slamming my head into the cabinet.
“Conrad!” I choked out.
“You little disobedient brat! You’re mine to touch anytime I’d like. And you know what… I think I’m sick and tired of waiting.” He took his second hand and shoved it into my panties.
“No…” I forced out as he rammed his finger inside me.
His grip tightened around my neck as I gagged harder. “Con—” I gasped for air that wasn’t there.
“Conrad!” Mrs. Ivory’s voice echoed behind us. Releasing his hands, I hunched over and wheezed loudly while rubbing my neck.
“Oh, my goodness, I don’t know what has gotten into you. Go to your room. This is no way to treat your bride.” She forced him out of the bedroom and shut the door behind him.
“Demi, my darling daughter-in-law.” She enhanced her Southern drawl for dramatic effect. “Stand up, sweetheart. I’ve brought you something.” She helped me up and handed me a gift bag.
What was this, my birthday?
I hugged myself and gulped down the air around me as I wheezed. “Come on, don’t be rude. Open it, now.” Mrs. Ivory demanded. My eyes felt like they were going to roll in the back of my head as I tried to steady myself.
Setting the bag down, I ripped the white tissue paper out and pulled out the contents. It was an all-white lingerie set with a dog collar and leash.
“It’s what Conrad picked for your wedding night,” Daphne said excitedly.
I wanted to die. I used to always think that I’d never be the girl who wanted to die after watching my sister perish. I knew how much she wanted me to live; she wanted me to live, even if it wasn’t a life worth living.
“The wedding is in a week. As you can tell, Conrad is more than ready to be your husband and a father. Afterward, you will both go to St. Lucia. Don’t even try anything, Demi. Because if you do, I’ll make sure you watch us skin Bradley alive.” Mrs. Ivory’s lips curved in a menacing smile.
That’s it. They had something on me, just like Trent did. He always used me as a chip to get whatever he wanted with Layla. That’s what happened when you loved someone or cared about them… they became your weakness.
Bradley was my weakness. I truly cared about him and maybe, just maybe, in some twisted way, I loved him, too.
Mrs. Ivory forced me to drink the peony-infused tea. I gagged on each sip knowing what the flowers bloomed from. Death. I fell asleep shortly after. Flashes of Daisy’s pained face kept appearing in my dreams, and her screams echoed in the silence of my bedroom. Was that what my fate had?
Unfortunately, I woke up the next day. Daisy, Mason, and Bradley were in the formal living area with the Ivory family exchanging pleasantries.
I’d never felt more fear in my entire life knowing that the only person in this place on my side was leaving me. I was forced to wear a short white dress and let Becca do my hair and makeup for their departure. I was also required to look presentable for my soon-to-be husband, according to Mrs. Ivory. She told me that her son deserved a woman who cared about the way she looked.
