Page 73 of Do It For Me

“I need to go to the bathroom.”

I run, barely making it before I throw up into the toilet. Then, I cry so hard my throat and chest ache.

Dante would be holding me right now. We would’ve gotten away.

Did he know we weren’t getting married here? Is that why he wanted to leave?

Did he prepare me but fall in love with me afterwards?

He couldn’t have been pretending. That wouldn’t be possible. I gave him everything I had!

The door opens. I quickly shut my mouth and hold my breath.

“Pet?”

As soon as I hear my mum’s voice, I rush out.

“What’s going on? Where’s Dante? Is he hurt? Did he hurt Dante so he wouldn’t marry me? Who the hell is he, Mum?”

She doesn’t answer. Her lips tremble, and she stretches her arms toward me.

I run to her, crying even harder as she pats my head.

“His name is Stefan Noskov,” she says softly. “I don’t know what happened, pet, but we have to pretend.”

My heart sinks.

“I want Dante. I don’t—”

“I know.” She pulls away to look at me. “If there’s one thing I learned when I married your father, it’s that we have to agree to everything, no questions asked.”

No.

“You want me to go on and act like this is okay?”

“It’s what you must do. We do not—”

“I was living with him! He never once laid a finger on me. He was sweet and caring, and Stefan already—in the car, he—” My voice cracks. “You can’t be serious, Mum.”

She sighs and pulls my head to her chest, but not even her embrace can make me feel better.

“I’m so sorry, pet. I really am.”

I cry against my mum’s chest. She rocks me in place and starts singing a song I haven’t heard in ages. I cry harder. This is the last time I’ll be with her. This is the last time I’ll feel her arms around me. I will never listen to her again. I don’t want to leave. I want to be with her. I want to save her.

Why can’t I do anything to get us out this hell?

I failed her again.

I’m so sorry, mum.

I glance at myself in the mirror. All my makeup is ruined.

Just like me.

“Fucking smile.”

How could I, when my heart is shattered?