Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“When will it be announced?” I asked. The news would spread like wildfire, and people would spread rumors just as quickly. This was a bond nobody had expected, and thus, it would be dissected until it was a tattered, dirty thing.
“Tomorrow after my official engagement to Sofia.”
My eyes grew wide in alarm. “You’re going to announce it at your engagement party? What does Sofia say to that? It’s her day, after all.”
“I didn’t ask her. It seems like the best time. After all, we’re here, and it doesn’t make sense to travel all the way to Minneapolis just for an announcement. Samuel and I are both busy.”
“Danilo,” I said in exasperation. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t asked Sofia. “I don’t want to hurt Sofia’s feelings.”
His puzzled expression made it clear that the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. “It’s just an announcement. And it’s not like it’s our wedding day. Don’t overthink this. Just be happy. In two years, you’ll be Samuel’s wife.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you.” I could tell Danilo was disappointed by my lackluster reaction, but I couldn’t think straight. “I’m going to bed so I’m well rested for my big day tomorrow.”
Danilo pressed a kiss to my cheek like he always did, and I wheeled into my bedroom. After a deep breath, I moved into the bathroom to change into my nightgown. I arrested the brakes of my wheelchair, then pushed myself up and scooted down to the edge of the seat. Twisting to the right, I used my left hand to shove down my skirt, then did the same with the other side until the fabric pooled at my feet. I lifted one foot after the other, then bent down, picked up my skirt, and put it over the vanity chair. I removed my pullover, then pulled my nightgown over my head. Grabbing the handles, I pushed myself up, supporting myself with my legs until the nightgown slid down over my bum before I dropped back into the seat of my wheelchair. When I was done with my evening routine, I returned to the bedroom.
The mattress was softer than what I was used to at home, so my hand sank in when I tried to slide from my wheelchair into the bed, almost causing me to slip down. I caught myself and released a sigh. Traveling days were always hard on my body and mind. For one, they gave me anxiety. I always felt physically drained in the evening of such a day, meaning my legs were less capable of supporting my weight.
Once I lay in the dark, I couldn’t fall asleep for hours. My thoughts kept revolving around Samuel. I couldn’t deny it. He would have been my top choice if I could have chosen a husband from the available bachelors. I didn’t mind that he was eight years older. I actually preferred it. Maybe it was because of my accident, but I was more mature than boys and even girls my age.
Not to mention that I found Samuel attractive. Really, who didn’t? Many girls in our world talked about his looks. There weren’t many blonds around, and his blue eyes always sent a pleasant shiver down my back. And he was tall and fit…
I bit my lip.
Our interactions after the funeral were pretty much nonexistent except for a few shared pleasantries here and there. I didn’t know him, not that I had expected to know my husband. That just wasn’t likely in our circles. I only knew things about him, mainly from Danilo or the occasional snippet of gossip. Samuel had been a favorite topic ever since his twin sister’s kidnapping and his failed attempt to save her. His entire family had been dragged down the gossip hole.
Maybe that was why the Miones had agreed to the marriage. Perhaps they thought it would turn the rumors more favorable or finally drag the attention away from their daughter who now lived with the enemy Capo in Las Vegas.
Even if that option wasn’t really an ego booster, it was better than the alternative: that Danilo blackmailed Samuel in some way. I loved my brother, but he could be ruthless.
I sighed and closed my eyes. It didn’t stop my thoughts from whirring, but eventually, I fell asleep.
I’d chosen the more festive of the two dresses that I’d brought. A berry-colored floor-length cocktail dress that accentuated my waist and covered my legs. I was still shy about them even though they apparently weren’t different, albeit less muscled than someone who used them for walking. A small origami four-leaf clover I’d folded this morning sat beside me in my wheelchair, hidden under my skirt. I hoped it would bring me luck today. I wasn’t very superstitious in daily life, but I liked to use additional luck bringers for special occasions. I’d also hidden another four-leaf clover in the inside pocket of Danilo’s jacket. Knowing him, he’d need all the luck to make his marriage to Sofia work.