Page 29 of Eternal Pieces (The Violet Delights Duet #2)

VIOLET

I ’m just coming out of the bathroom when Sarah comes bursting into my suite. “Oh, thank god, you’re up! I am so sorry I overslept! I swear I’m not usually this bad after drinking. Did I do anything dumb?”

“No, nothing mention worthy. Don’t worry about it,” I mumble, throwing a quick glance at the bed.

There’s no sign that Max and Maddox were ever here, on the sheets or my body.

Luckily, they must have set my alarm for me before they left last night, since it woke me up on time this morning.

“I was going to come wake you in a minute.”

“I’m never drinking again.” She clutches her forehead and leans against the doorframe.

I can hardly tell her the reason why she has a headache this morning is because Maddox put sleeping pills in her drink, so I awkwardly laugh it off.

“What do you have left to do? Have you eaten yet? What time is it? The stylist is coming at?—”

Spinning her around, I walk her out of my room and tell her, “We’ve got plenty of time. I’ll order us some breakfast, and you can take a shower and reset.”

She takes a deep breath and hugs me before running off to get ready.

The morning starts off slow and somewhat relaxed. I struggle to keep down my breakfast and end up skipping it altogether in the end. There’s a tightness in my stomach that won’t go away no matter what I do. It must just be nerves. Every bride-to-be gets them.

Once the stylist arrives, it turns into a whirlwind of brushes in my face and hair.

Before I know it, I’m standing in front of the mirror, looking at a stranger.

I look…well, it’s not how I expected to look.

My hair might be the only thing that feels right.

It’s half-up. Purple flower crystals are braided through it that catch the light, making my head look like it’s had a sprinkling of fairy dust.

My veil trails all the way down to the floor and matches my dress.

Layers of white tulle drape down from my hips, pooling on the floor around my feet. Lilac flowers are embroidered on the top layer and increase as they go down the dress, so it looks like I’m standing in a field of flowers.

Swivelling my hips, I get a good look at myself. It’s gorgeous. Everything I wanted. Except for how tight it is.

It would be perfect if it weren’t for the bodice.

I know I put in the right measurements when I ordered it from the bridal store online.

I quadruple-checked and then checked again.

I even made sure to account for my ever-growing bump.

So why on earth is it so tight? It’s hard to breathe already, and I’m going to have to try and stuff more pads into the cups to catch any leaks.

At least the skirt is loose enough not to squeeze my bump too tight.

Oh well. There’s no changing it now. I’ll only have to walk down the aisle and then stand up for the ceremony. And then walk back out of there. And then come upstairs. Nope, stop overthinking it. Everything will be fine. I just need to breathe.

“You hate it.”

Was I being that obvious?

“I love it! It’s just a little snug.”

Sarah steps behind me in her lilac satin dress, a flower crown on her head, and starts tugging at the dress like it’s going to magically stretch if she pulls hard enough.

“When did you last try it on?” she grunts.

“I don’t know. Two weeks ago, maybe? I knew I should have gone for a corset back and not a zipper. Ah, careful. You’re crushing my boobs doing that.”

She abruptly stops. “Crap, sorry. Your boobs have gotten massive. Did you account for them growing when you sent the measurements?”

“No.” I bite back a sob.

“It’s okay! There might be a sewing kit in here somewhere. I’ve hung out in enough wardrobe departments to know how to do a simple stitch. I’ll see what I can do.”

Her hand-eye coordination is so bad that I’ve seen her stab herself with a fork when she eats. There’s no way I’m letting her near me with a needle.

“There’s no time! Shouldn’t you check in with the guys to make sure we’re good to go?”

She puts her hand on her hip and looks me over. “If you’re sure. God, Violet, you’re so pretty! They’re going to freak the fuck out when they see you. I’d bet good money that Maddox will cry.”

I wonder if he and Max are feeling as nervously excited as I am. Knowing them, they’re probably standing there like two perfect stone Adonis’ waiting for me to arrive. The swoon-worthy thought leaves me a little light-headed.

The nerves have really made themselves at home in my stomach now that I’m waiting outside the doors that lead me to my future. I keep getting nervous cramps. For a moment, I thought they were contractions, but surely I’d know if I was going into labor?

I startle from a knock on the door behind me. It must be Sarah coming to tell me they’re ready for me, but why has she used the wrong door?

Holding the train of my dress up, I shuffle to open the door and almost slam it back in my unexpected visitor’s face, but she puts her heel in the way first and pushes inside.

“You’re not welcome here.” I scowl.

The door closes with a soft click behind her.

Mom looks over every inch of me. I used to shrink down whenever she examined my appearance like this, but I stand taller and prouder than I ever have before.

Once again, she looks different. I don’t remember the last time I saw her in jeans, but it takes me back to my childhood when she wasn’t trying so hard to impress richer and richer men.

She’s clearly not here for the wedding if she didn’t bother to dress for it. She always went all out at any opportunity to put on a fancy cocktail dress.

“What do you want?”

Looking me in the eye, her harsh gaze fades, and she says two words that fill my heart with loathing. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Violet, I truly am. I didn’t mean any of it. I was just bitter seeing you so happy. I’m entitled to my opinions about it all, but I’ve learned not to voice them, so can we please have a fresh start?”

Ah, I see. This is what she considers an apology.

It suddenly feels like a boulder is on my back again, weighing me down with defeat. A cold sweat comes over me, and I need to sit down, but I don’t want to look weak in front of her, so I stay on my feet.

“This is what you came here for? Whatever else you have to say, I’d prefer you leave it for another day. I’ve just had my makeup done, and I don’t want to ruin it.”

Taking my hands, she smiles softly at me. “You look beautiful. I should have started with that. My baby girl is getting married.”

I don’t thank her for the compliment. That’s all she really wants. Praise for pretending to be a good mother.

Pulling my hands away, I say, “I don’t have time for this. You’re not ruining today for me.”

For a split second, I swear I see a lifetime of regret in her eyes. Maybe I should invite her in? If this is her really reaching out to mend that bond she broke, then I should give her that chance.

Turning away from her, I face the doors to center myself. Max and Maddox are just out there. I could ask them to help me figure it out, but I know what they’d say. And they’d be right.

“It’s not normal to be jealous of your own daughter.”

“Don’t be like that, Violet, you’d feel the same if you were in my shoes. Imagine going through life sleeping with any man with a fat enough wallet to give your child a good life, then seeing that child get it all so easily. I know what those boys are worth. I was their mother once.”

“Do you not hear yourself?” As I turn on my heel, a sharp stitch forms in my side.

I press my hand to it and ignore it so I can get this over with.

“I’m not with them for the money. It was never about that for me.

Max and Maddox are my everything. I’d live on the streets with them if that were the only way to be with them.

You’ve made it more than clear what you think, so I’d like you to leave now. For good this time.”

“Violet—”

The doors open behind us, and Sarah pokes her head around. “Oh, sorry. We’re ready for you.” She looks between us. “Are you okay?”

“Give me a minute.”

“You look pale, are you sure you don’t need me? I can get one of the guys to come in…”

“I can handle this.”

With a reluctant look on her face, Sarah closes the door, and I lock it shut.

“I am about to get married, so unless you have some magical change of heart in the next ten seconds, where you finally accept me for who I am, then go.”

That stitch comes back again, spreading across my stomach to my other side, and I wince. This is what I get for letting myself be stressed out by her.

I walk to the door Mom came in through and hold it open. “What will it be?”

The pain gets worse as I wait for her answer. It’s alright, babies. Mama’s dealing with this, you can chill out now. My legs buckle, and I grip the door handle tight.

“What’s wrong?” Mom hurries over and helps me to stay upright.

“I—I’m fine—ah!” The pain comes again. No. This can’t be happening. It’s too early. Way too early.

“Get Ma—” I can’t get a whole sentence out, the pain is too much. Something is seriously wrong.

“I’ll call an ambulance.”

I shake my head and point to the door where my lifelines are. I’m not doing this without them. I need them.

My knees give out completely. Mom stops me from hitting the floor and gently props me up against the wall.

“Max. Maddox. Please.” I beg her to understand, but she’s got her nose buried in her purse.

Another flash of pain takes hold of me. Is this a contraction? It feels wrong. So wrong.

“Mad!” I scream through it. “Max!”

My ears start to ring as the room spins. A thumping sensation travels up through the floor and courses through my body.

I manage to focus my gaze on Mom long enough to see her pull out her phone. Another falls onto the floor. In a panic, she tries to pick it up and drops it again. Am I seeing things? Why does she have two phones?

Something clicks in my brain, but I struggle to find the connection.

“Mom? What is that?” I can just about get the words out.

“It’s nothing. Just a backup. You weren’t supposed to see it.” She grabs it successfully this time.

Something tells me I have to see that phone. A wave of strength comes over me, and I push myself forward.

“Show me,” I demand.

“No!”

I grab her wrist and almost drag her down with me as I use her to hold myself up.

“Show. Me.”

I don’t know what I’m doing. I need to go to the hospital. I need Max. Need Maddox. But I need to see the truth for myself.

There’s no passcode to get into the phone, and although the screen keeps moving around I manage to open the texts.

My hand flops to the floor, the phone slipping from my grasp.

It was all her.

Those texts…they were never from Aaron.

I look up at her with two decades, worth of pain in my eyes. “Why?”

“This wasn’t supposed to happen! They were just to scare you into doing the right thing!” Her eyes go wide with fear, but she’s not looking at my face. I follow her gaze and see red on my dress. Why is there red?

“It’s okay. I’m calling an ambulance now.”

She presses the other phone to her ear, and at the same time, the door flies open, splinters of wood scatter through the air like confetti.

I break down in tears when I see Maddox’s fearful face.

Max is right behind him. They look so perfect in their suits.

I’m sad this is how I get to see them, but I’m glad for it as well.

I feel like I’m fading away. The closer they get to me, the less I feel them.

If the worst comes then, at least I get to go with them in my memory.