Chapter 2 : I Am Not Marrying Him

Chapter 2: I Am Not Marrying Him 

“I still hear my grandmother’s scream in my nightmares, everybody knows about the horrible thing that happened to her during the war.” I added, as the memories of her suffering passed through my mind.

My grandmother had passed away many years ago yet her agonizing cries haunted me, a reminder of the aftermath of the war 

“I understand but Helena is in pain, she is not feeling well.” My mother said her concerns for Helena created a tinge of jealousy within me. 

If I was in her shoes, I would have been killed, no questions asked.

“I don't care about how much she is suffering, life is filled with challenges and she could have expressed her doubts weeks, months or even a year ago. But she did it today, when she knows that there is no backing out.” I said firmly. 

I got up from the bed, heading toward the bargain because I can't stand to look at my mother. Though, I made the sudden decision to pay Helena a little visit to confront her about the consequences of her action. However my mother’s next words stopped me in my tracks.

“Helena didn't want to marry, you will have to take her place but you will have to marry Justin Moretti instead of Aaron Moretti.” She muttered, her words smacking me like a hard punch in the face.

For a brief moment, I thought my heart had stopped beating because Justin Moretti was my first love. The kind of love who never laid his eyes on me instead he always looked at my younger, Helena. She was the same age as me, but we were born from different mothers.

“I am not going to get married.” I pushed aside my mother's words and proceeded into the bathroom to tidy myself up.  

I was about to have a very long chat with my younger sister about taking responsibility. My personal driver stopped the car in front of her ballet studio, a place where she practiced for her international ballet performance. She was known ballet worldwide for her performance in iconic productions like The Sleeping Beauty. Helena was a favorite among ballet fans, she was praised for her natural talent on stage, which was similar to a rare diamond in the world of ballet. Not only that, she was a beauty but too bad that she was rotten inside. My bodyguard escorted me out of the car and I exhaled in relief because there was no paparazzi in sight. I stepped out, I shielded my eyes with dark sunglasses, putting on a pink coat over my shoulders. I ordered my bodyguard to wait outside, since I knew an argument would break out between me and Helena which was a common thing. I entered the studio which belonged entirely to my sister and served as her safe haven while I was blown away by its calm atmosphere. However, the studio also served as a physical reminder of Justin's affection for her, despite the fact that she was engaged to his younger brother, Aaron. He gifted the studio on her twentieth birthday which was in the upper East of the City. I still remember that day because we shared the same birthday. Helena and I were born on April 9th. That day, he had gifted her the ballet studio but he had forgotten about me so I got no gift.

Ignoring my thoughts, I followed the sound of the music coming from one of the doors along the empty corridor. I followed the direction of the melody and found myself in a spacious white room with high ceilings while a huge mirror covered one wall. She was caught up in her practice, dancing with effortless grace at the center of the room and dressed in her ballet attire. She was unaware of my arrival as she was lost in own world. Her hair gleamed in the sunlight, her eyes shining with focus and dedication to her practice. She has chosen to become a ballerina but my mother forced me to be a model. At the time, I thought my mother would be proud of me but she was always disappointed. She never once praised me but always praised Helena. As I grew older, I realized that there was no point in trying to be the perfect daughter because I would never have that title. I could never be Helena Bennet, I could never be a person that my parents love and I was never the person Justin Moretti would love. My gaze turned to the huge mirror, and I watched my reflection, ignoring my sister for a moment. My long hair fell down my back in shiny waves. My eyes were mesmerizing shades of ocean blue, flecked with hints of brown while my skin was flawless and glowing.

I know that I am beautiful, but when you are told by your own parents that you are the most disgusting thing in life even being the legitimate daughter, your self-esteem falls apart. I took a deep breath while my gaze drifted from the mirror and back to my sister 

“Helena!” I called out for her, but she was still lost in her own little world.

“Helena!” I yelled. 

She almost stumbled over her steps, but she regained her balance and went to pause the music on the Bluetooth speaker. Once she stopped the music, she wears a confused expression at the sight of me but the look of confusion changes once she sees the scowl on my face.

“Why are you here?” She asked, heading towards a nearby bench and picking up a water bottle. My arms were still crossed as I checked the time on my wristwatch.

“It is ten in the morning, you have five hours to prepare for the wedding whether you like it or not.” My words seemed to talk on deaf ears as she finished her drink.

“You have made your bed, Helena. Now you must lay on it.” I continued, my tone unweaving. She was at ease while she met my gaze with a smile.

“I don't want to.” She replied. What a bitch.

“Why not? You don't appear to be suffering like our mother told me.” I said.

I looked up and down, from head to toe and her demeanor seemed more cheerful rather than a person who was suffering.

“Why should I be suffering? My long awaited revenge is finally going to take place in five hours, when you will walk down the aisle and marry Justin Moretti. The man who is in love with me.” She revealed.

“What are you talking about?” I asked because I had no time for her drama.