Runaway Bride

I arrive at my parents’ house in ten minutes. I didn’t think for a second where to go when the family driver asked me for directions. The man was kind enough not to look at my appearance when I got into the black sedan.

“Daughter, what are you wearing!” my mother exclaims as she opens the front door. “You’re a woman married to a respectable man!”

“Forget what I’m wearing. Why don’t you ask me what he did to make me come to the house like this?” I tell her as I walk in and go straight to my room.

“Don’t yell at me!”

“Yes, I do yell at you!” I quickly look for something to wear. It’s getting late already. I look at the cuckoo clock I have hanging above the bookcase where I keep my novels and little ceramic dolls. “I don’t know how you can care so much about appearances, Mother. It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters. You got married and left here as a young lady. You are with a man of a higher social class. Therefore, your dress and appearance say a lot about you. Besides, I’m sorry to tell you that it influences your husband.”

“I don’t give a damn about my husband!” I squeal.

I finish pulling up my black tube-style skirt. Likewise, I slip on a baggy white blouse of butterflies and red roses.

“Don’t say that you look like a child.”

“Where is Teresa?”

I don’t plan to stand around listening to my mother lectured me on how my actions influence society. That’s water under the bridge. I know, it’s true, she’s right, but right now, that’s a trifle. I don’t care that people see me and Mrs. Merlina at the flea market saw me get out of the sedan covered in a sheet. I’m tired of trying to be perfect! It’s exhausting to be someone you’re not. Pretending to please everyone, to help and please...no matter if you lose your essence along the way.

“Your sister went out to buy some things for her trip.”

“Are you okay with her going with that young man?”

“I remind you that he is your brother-in-law.” My mother stands in the doorframe and analyzes my every move. She looks tired. Her dress is wrinkled, which worries me, as Mom always tries to look impeccable.

“So, you know?”

“Tere is no fool. That girl is wide awake. She got herself a good match. She’ll have a good home and economic stability forever. They say those Magghio men only marry once.”

“I can’t believe you just accept it.” It was a big shock for me to know that my younger sister has decided to tie the knot with Dawson Magghio. Of course, he can tell me that he is sorry for getting involved with Arianna, but after learning that he can betray his own brother, I don’t even want to consider what awaits Tere by marrying him.

I tell my mother the same thing. In the meantime, I tie my hair up in a high bun and put a pair of golden rose hairpins in it.

“Men are like that by nature. Don’t think you’ll have a completely faithful man, for it’s in his blood to want to try new meats.”

What an excuse my mother makes.

She doesn’t let me speak and continues. Finally, she walks over and sits on the edge of the bed.

“You don’t know because you were very little when it happened, but more than fifteen years ago, your father had an affair.”

stop looking at myself in the mirror. I walk over, sit next to her and clasp her hands in mine. “I had no

the world is perfect. When I married your father, I was just a child, a few years younger than Teresa.

but I never got around to calculating the years.” Now I realize how airborne and lost I was. I understand why my mother thought the best thing that could happen

by boat, and we had no one. We didn’t know anybody. I was an only child. Adjusting was difficult.” I look

married by force, by convenience, just as

a bad thing. It was common and normal between families. Your father courted me for a week, the first week we arrived. Dad had no job, no idea how

but feel lousy about how I hated my parents without realizing it. It was a vicious cycle for the Mattew family, and I was just another dot going

never considered having sex even with Lucian.

it was the pressure of knowing that I would be married the next day to a man whose nickname was the Shady One. That could upset the holiest of women. I don’t know if that influenced

passed away. She had cancer

Wasn’t it a one-day thing? Did

her cool or sanity at any point. No tears, no crying, nothing but grief

sorry, Mom.”

things that happen. I’m telling you this, Tati because I don’t want to see you unhappy. Nor do I want to see you sad and sleeping with any man for a couple of euros. You deserve so much more. Your father and I went out of our way to see that you both got the education

sold me to the highest bidder. To the only bidder. He didn’t think twice

color as mine. She strokes my left cheek, something that always made me

please,” I ask. I don’t know if my heart

husband tried to abuse you.” I get ready to interrupt her, but she stops me. “I don’t care if you’re going to tell

needed

I understand you. Sometimes you need your space to think,

always been there, and you’ve never run away even though you have two daughters.” As much as my mother spoke to me loudly and out of turn, she has always

and more so if we are only dedicated to being mothers and housewives.” She stands up, and I do the same. “Darío was not the one who came to ask for your hand, it was your father

therapy. I feel short of breath

come back. However, I cannot allow you to believe that it was all that poor widower’s fault. If anyone bears full responsibility, it is your father because he did the same thing my father did to me. This is not what I

understand why Teresa wants to leave with Dawson: she saw what I didn’t have time to see or understand. In my foolish idea that everything could go well, perfectly, and organized as I wished, I did not know that one thing is what the donkey wants and another who makes it. My own father sold me. He is used to seeing it and doing it. Dad is almost ten years older than my mother. I don’t

here?” I ran over to meet

I moved into the castle. The last time we talked was

you doing here?! I’m so happy to see you!” she squeals and hops in my arms. “Oh, this is the best surprise ever!”

her against my chest briskly. I’d love to

My mother goes to the kitchen, and we follow

doing here? How is Darío

idea about the

with Dawson is more effective than mine with

alive and at home,” I try to reassure her.

you looking here then?! You’re crazy! Your husband needs

run my hand over my face and throat clear, uncomfortable. I don’t know if I should tell my mother about the situation I’m going through in my marriage. But, I also don’t want to look so inexperienced and have her feel that I can’t keep the signed contract because that’s what it was,

it became a wonderful escape. Marrying the man I desired and who awakened dormant feelings and emotions was

real princess. No dark circles under her eyes, no freckles, and no wrinkles from bad times. She is happy. I instantly feel the same way.

Her happiness is mine.