Bishop Romano was one of the richest men in the United States, except only those closest to him really knew what his business was about.
He mingled with the richest politicians and businessmen. His support system went wide and far, from polices to doctors and lawyers. What they did behind the scenes and under the tables – well, it was exactly as they portrayed in the movies. My father and the people he surrounded himself were as corrupt as they came.
William Spencer, Killian’s father – served as the President of the United States twelve years ago, for two consecutive terms. He was the one public figure everyone talked about – both the good and the ugly – but that meant his private life was not so private any longer.
Killian was expected to run for President – one day, soon enough. It was the only possible outcome as the son of William Spencer. I knew he was working toward it. He had been placing himself into the inner circles of politicians and where it mattered, since he turned twenty years old.
This marriage was a contract – the perfect alliance between a Romano and a Spencer. The only way the two families could benefit from each other.
And me? Well, I was collateral damage.
Selene came to stand in front of me, blocking my reflection and bringing me out of my thoughts. “There you go,” she murmured, her voice coming out choked. She had tears in her eyes. “You look beautiful, Jules.”
The pain in my chest was back at full force. The taste of misery was bitter on my tongue and shame – its poison – crawled under my flesh.
I could hear my sister’s voice echoing in my ears. Jules, she’d say. Jules, she’d cry. Jules, she’d laugh.
“Do you…think she’d ever forgive me?” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“She already did,” Selene said. “Gracelynn doesn’t hold grudges and especially not against you. You are the one who hasn’t forgiven yourself yet.”
“And my future husband,” I added.
Selene huffed. “His opinions don’t count.”
My lips twitched, even through the tears. “You really do hate him?”
“He made you cry, my precious girl. Of course I hate him and please, for the love of God, don’t start crying. You’ll mess up your mascara!”
I let out a teary laugh and then I was pulling Selene down for a hug. “Thank you,” I breathed. “You came into my life when I was five years old. You took care of me and Gracelynn, even though you didn’t have to. Treated us as if we were your own kids.”
Selene kissed my cheeks. “It was my pleasure, Jules.”
At ten years old, my life changed in an irrevocable way. I had needed a mother the most and Selene was there, every step of the way, supporting me, encouraging the little girl with a broken heart.
I swallowed my tears, sniffling. “Can you pass me my pills, please?”
Selene handed me the small bottle and I popped a pill into my mouth. It had been three months since my last seizure…
There was no way I could skip my medication. Not when it was the only thing keeping me from enduring another relapse.
“Help me up?” I asked, grabbing for Selene’s hand.
With her help, I stood on my two feet, but I wobbled a bit. Sure, I could walk again, but I had a limp and was still unstable. My physiotherapist told me that while I could walk, my legs would always be weak and I’d always walk with a slight limp.
Running again was not even a possibility. Sometimes, if I were on my feet for too long or walked too fast, my limp was more pronounced.
Selene fixed my veil, looking as emotional as I felt. The corner of her eyes wrinkled when she blinked, the tip of her nose was red and she sniffled. “As your foster mother, can I give you one last bit of advice?”
I nodded, feeling the way my throat closed and burned with unshed tears.
“You’re about to become Julianna Spencer, a wife. While you should always have your own best interest at heart, you’re now also responsible for your new family. Their reputation, their image and their well-being.” Selene paused and she nudged my chin up with her index finger, so my head was held high. “Killian is an asshole, true. But you need to be at your very best, so he’ll never be able to point a finger at you or accuse you of lacking something as a wife or a partner. Because we know damn well, he will dig under your skin, find all your flaws and shred you to pieces until your heart is bleeding at his feet. Don’t allow him to do it. No one should ever use your weaknesses against you.”
I licked my lips, tasting my shame and swallowing my secrets. Selene didn’t know even half of my story…