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Devlin went over to talk to Dominic, then chatted with Belle. She immediately walked off to make the arrangements for Georgia. There was a lot for me to discuss with my sister, but like much of what I need to say to Devlin, it could wait. It was a happy time.
As happy as it could be.
Now all of our efforts could be focused on getting our father out of prison.
Chapter 15
Violet
4yearsago
I'd always looked up to my older sister, Georgia. She looked a lot like me, except I always felt clumsy and unladylike in her presence. Georgia exuded an air of cool darkness that made me see her as an idol. But she never paid much attention to me.
Georgia started dating Connor when she was in college. They met when her sorority and his fraternity had a mixer. After that, I saw less and less of Georgia.
"I can't believe your sister is marrying this guy," Annie snickered as we watched Georgia walk down the aisle. "Didn't he like, sleep with half the college?"
I shushed her, feeling myself blush as I tried to keep my attention focused on the ceremony. I'd heard once to watch for the groom's reaction as the bride walked down the aisle, so I quietly glanced away from my sister in her designer wedding gown to her husband-to-be.
But Connor wasn't even looking at Georgia. His eyes were firmly fixed on me, and I felt a chilling shiver go down my spine.
"That's just a rumor," I whispered to Annie, feeling my cheeks ignite even more. "Don't spread it even more, Annie, you know it will hurt Georgia."
"Who cares," Annie said back. "Your sister hates us both, anyway."
I couldn't argue with that. Despite my clear adoration of Georgia, she was cold and uninterested in me. To make myself feel better, I kept remembering she was like that with everyone... Except for her unlikely groom.
Despite telling Annie to shut up, I also didn't trust Connor. He gave me a sleazy look every time he saw me, and I'd seen him do the same to pretty much any girl he came into contact with. Because of all the rumors floating around the city, I had my own doubts about Connor's fidelity. And that look he'd just given me... ugh, it made me shudder just remembering his penetrating, cold gaze.
I couldn't wait for the ceremony to be over. As soon as they walked down the aisle to mediocre applause, I made up an excuse and ran away from the rest of the guests. The ceremony was held at Cabot Estate, which I knew like the back of my own pocket.
I raced into the house and up the stairs, pushing away the ribbon reminding guests not to venture up there. Reaching my room at just the right time, I curled up on the floor of my bedroom in time for the panic attack to fully take over. I hyperventilated, trying to count in my mind to forget how much my heart was racing.
That's when I heard steps coming up the stairway. I forced myself to exhale and keep counting. It was probably just Annie, checking to make sure I was okay.
But when the door to my bedroom flew open, it wasn't Annie who stood there. It was Connor.
I felt all the color draining from my face. My panic grew, but I was oddly calm at the same time.
Not saying anything at all, I got up and dusted off my silk dress, giving him a meaningful look to hopefully signal once and for all I didn’t like him.
“Where did you run off to, Violet?” Connor asked.
He slurred his words. The fact that he was standing between me and the door made me nervous. I knew I shouldn’t think badly of Connor, but he was kind of…creepy.
I was always relieved when he didn’t come to our family meals, even though it meant Georgia wouldn’t come either. But I’d grown further and further apart with my sister. I no longer looked up to her. She’d disappointed me by picking Connor as her husband. I could never understand how she could deny his sleaziness.
“I need to… make a call,” I muttered, crossing my arms defensively in front of my body.
“Sounds like a lie to me,” he smirked at me, stumbling as he stepped into the room.
I straightened up, feeling my adrenaline spike up. But instead of scaring Connor off, I just made him groan as his eyes devoured me.
Not really understanding why, I knew I was in danger.
I quickly glanced at the window. Outside, Georgia and Daddy were dancing the father daughter dance together. No one would miss Connor for another few minutes.
“I’d like you to get out of my room, please,” I said, loud and clear. “Close the door.”
