Chapter 2 Three Days in the Dark

Skye eventually brings me food. She is the only one who has ever shown me any kindness in this hell hole. She has taken me to the hospital after beatings, helped me with chores thrown on me be by mom, and so much more than I could ever thank her for.

Skye West: “Miss, I have enough food for the next three days. Keep it hidden in the usual space. They are being very serious about the wedding.”

Isabella Reed: “I don’t understand why they are pushing this. Owen has no interest in me. He has always been all about Sage.”

Skye West: “Miss, your parents are paying them a fortune to make this wedding happen.”

Isabella Reed: “What are the Stones offering for them to agree to so much?”

Skye West: “That I haven’t heard anything about.”

Isabella Reed: “Skye, thank you for everything you do but you need to head back before they notice you gone. Hurry!”

Skye left, leaving me to sit in my own thoughts. What could the Stone family possibly want with me? I have never been anything to them. My parents certainly don’t care about me enough to spend any kind of money on me.

I stayed there for three days. No one came to check on me.

On the third day just as the sun was rising, my mom showed up, unchaining me.

Genevieve: “Get moving girl, we need to get you cleaned up before this wedding. MOVE!”

She shoved me toward the house. Sage met us at the door.

Sage Reed: “Well look who it is, the bride. I will never forgive you for stealing my sweet Owen from me.”

She slapped me across the face knocking me to the ground. Mom got really annoyed that I was taking so long so she kicked me in the back.

Geneieve: “Get moving you idiot. You smell like a damn animal. Clean yourself up. The Stones are barely accepting you as it is. SKYE! Come help this idiot prepare for her wedding!”

Skye came running from the other room, she reached her hand out helping me up. We went upstairs to my room which is in the servant part of the household. It took hours to get myself to my mom’s expectations. Another servant came to the door with a box of clothes. The box had jeans and a forest green sweater inside with a pair of sneakers.

We were will about five hours out from ceremony time once I was cleaned and dressed. My mom called me for me to join her in the entry way. I walked downstairs to find Owen, Sage, and my mother standing in a tight circle whispering. Owen noticed me first and hushed the conversation.

Genevieve: “Oh here she is. Our little bride to be. Get over here Isabella, Owen wants to spend some time with you to get to know you some before you two get married.”

Owen Stone: “Miss Isabella, I was hoping we could go for a walk through the gardens.”

He reached his hand out to me. Sage’s face was white and she looked angry. Mom on the other hand had the creepiest smile I had ever seen. I took Owen’s hand, surrendering to the situation at hand. If I really have to marry Owen, I need to get to know him.

Owen smiled pulling me closer to him and walking us towards the garden. It felt strange. Owen was in love with Sage and now suddenly we are walking hand in hand to the garden area.

Owen: “So I am sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together before the wedding today. I really want us to get to know one another better. I am not trying to rush anything even with the wedding happening today.”

He kept talking about himself, not bothering to ask me anything. The getting to know each other seems to be me getting to know him. He told me his favorite color (green), his favorite food (medium steak), his favorite subject (dueling practice) and he just kept going on and on. I hummed responses not paying attention to anything else. I didn’t notice we had passed the garden and were now along the woods.

Isabella Reed: “We passed the garden; we should turn back.”

Owen Stone: “Oh, yeah I have a surprise for you just up here.”

Isabella Reed: “What do you mean? There I only Timber Forrest up ahead.”

He grabbed my arm and yanked me forward. I tried to pull away but he was so strong. Just as we got close to the forest four men came running out and grabbed me, Owen let go and started laughing.

Owen Stone: “Ahhhh Isabella, you are so right to be worried. Our little surprise for you is going to be so much fun.”

I tried to scream but before I could do anything I was being bound and my mouth covered, and a cloth sack was placed over my head. I was dragged for a while. When they finally brought me into a building, I was put into a chair and chained to it. They left me there with the bag over my head.

While I waited for something to happen, I started to wonder what they were so afraid of that the chains were needed. I have no power, so what are they so worried about. What was all this for? I have never crossed the Stone family so what is this grudge? From what I know about Owen, he is not the smartest person, this is clearly not something he could think up.