Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Darcy

The internet was going wild.

Pictures of my wedding with Emerson had been uploaded and the media was in a frenzy. I stood by a corner of my room, scrolling through the pictures uploaded by an anonymous account. The tiny number at the bottom indicated there were four pictures in total.

The first was of Emerson and me, holding hands as the priest stood in the background. The second and third were of each of us in the middle of saying the I dos. My chest twisted as I got reminded, once again, of Paul’s words to me on our wedding day.

The exact opposite of what any bride wanted to hear.

The fourth picture…

Heat rose to my cheeks.

It was our kiss. I stared at it, momentarily mesmerized. I couldn't take my eyes off Emerson. The gentle way he held my head in his hands… the not so gentle way he was devouring my mouth. Even now, a little over three hours after the wedding, I could still feel the warmth of his lips over mine.

The man could kiss.

My gaze shifted to my own face in the photo. Anyone with a working pair of eyes could tell I'd been lost in the moment. It had taken a herculean effort to pull away when I had, afraid things would escalate and I would beg him to fuck me right there. 

In front of the priest and my parents.

My face grew hotter. My parents!

What had I been thinking, responding like that? The man had only kissed me but he'd stirred up things I could only dream of feeling with Paul. My bedroom door opened and I immediately put my phone behind my back like I was doing something wrong.

My mom walked in, the look on her face, already an indication I would not like whatever she had to say. Throughout the wedding she’d hardly spoken. My signing the contract had happened so spontaneously, I had barely been able to come to terms with my decision myself.

I could only imagine how overwhelmed she was feeling.

She took a few steps inside my room, her eyes briefly settling on my stacked suitcases. “I won't be able to do it.” She said quietly, her lips pressed together. Suddenly, I was a lot more worried than I'd been when she walked in.

“Mom, what do you mean?” I questioned, cautiously taking a step toward her.

Her eyes flashed. “I’m talking about this entire wedding, Darcy!” She shook her head. “Have you seen the news? You got married to Paul’s elder brother less than three days after your wedding was cancelled,” An ugly look crossed her face. “Have you been seeing him this entire time?”

I jerked back as though I’d been slapped. “How can you even ask me that?” The tone of my voice did nothing to hide my hurt.

Her hand slapped her thigh. “Because this is all crazy!” Another shake of her head. How had I missed her disappointment at all of this? “You were going to marry his brother and now you're married to him. And let's not forget that comment Paul made about you meeting up–”

My legs propelled me forward. “There was no man, mom. I never cheated on him.”

She searched my face for a spell. “That's not what the media will spin, and you know it. I can't–” Her voice wavered. “I can't promise I won't spill the truth about all of this when someone accosts me, and I'm not one for falsities, Darcy. If you're going to continue this charade, then you have to know right now that I won't be a part–”

“And you don't have to.”

The reply didn't come from me. We both turned as Emerson calmly walked into the room. His face was unreadable as he regarded my mother. “You don't have to be a part of this, I would rather have it that way.” He took one step forward. “But you say one word to anyone–”

Anger filtered into my veins.

“You will not threaten my mother in front of me,” I spat. He turned his head to me, said nothing for a long while. Then his attention went to my bags.

“I’ll have some men come pick them up.”

His back remained in my line of sight as he exited the room as noiselessly as he'd come. An unfamiliar fear rattled my bones. I knew next to nothing about this man, save for the very few times our paths had crossed when we were kids.

And now I was tied to him for one year.

My mother cleared her throat. “Tell your husband there’s no need for threats.” I winced at the word ‘husband’. “I will not be a part of this, so he has nothing to worry about.” Her expression softened slightly. “I can only hope you know what you're doing.”

She gave me no time to respond, immediately turning on her heels and leaving the room. For some minutes, I could only stand rooted to the spot. My mother hadn't just cut ties with me. Right? Heavy footsteps sounded as Emerson’s men marched into my room to do the heavy lifting.

My father was standing behind them once they’d cleared.

I rushed into his arms.

“It's okay dear,” He shushed, smoothing my hair. I swallowed thickly, pulling away from him in relief at his comfort. There was a sad look in his eyes, making him appear almost ten years older. “I have to stand by your mother right now. But you let me know if you ever need me to swing in.”

I bit the inside of my cheeks to keep my tears from falling. I'd known saying goodbye after I got married would be hard. Getting married to a man I barely knew made it almost unbearable.

Still, I managed to give my father a nod. Whatever happened would be my cross to bear. “Thanks dad.” I said softly. The last of my things were taken out of the room as my father led me outside the house. My mother was nowhere to be seen. 

Emerson stood outside a car, his head lifting when we approached him. My father's voice was cold. “You take care of my daughter or else…” He left the threat hanging. There was an air around Emerson that said he wasn't the kind of man to be threatened. 

He gave my father a smile that looked more feral than anything, thankfully deciding to let the threat slide. His reply seemed to have a double meaning.

“I can assure you, Mr Mendez. Your daughter would be nothing, if not taken care of.”