ROSALIA
It was the last week of September when the morning of our wedding dawned. I woke with a heavy ache in my chest I couldn’t shake. I showered and dried my hair and slogged through my skincare. My body felt puffy and bloated and my brain was foggy. I was just getting out of the shower when pain split through my head and I leaned against the wall, covering my eye as it burned with a sudden migraine.
My wedding day was starting out on the wrong foot.
Trying to breathe through the pain, I dressed in leggings and an oversized sweater and crept downstairs for some coffee. My mother sat at the island counter with her hair in curlers, folding a pile of silk napkins. My stepfather stood behind her, scrolling through his phone, his hand absently caressing her shoulder.
They both looked up as I walked in. My stepfather was a lean, handsome man with graying hair he slicked back over his head and an unrelenting, stoic gaze. He didn’t scare me despite how stern he could be, but I did hate how passive he could be in his own home. Perhaps if he’d kept a better handle on his sons they wouldn’t have terrorized me for so long.
My mother ushered me to a chair, setting a banana and a cup of black coffee before me. I looked down, frowning with confusion.
“Why is this breakfast?” I asked tentatively.
“We can’t have you bloating or feeling upset today,” she said. “You can eat all you want after you’re married.”
My stepfather passed me without saying anything and kissed my mother on the side of the neck. “I’ll be back to pick you girls up in an hour.”
She nodded, turning to kiss his mouth. “I love you.”
I attempted to look away, annoyed by their displays of affection on the day I was going to be married to a man I didn’t love. My stepfather murmured something and then his crisp footfalls disappeared down the hall. My mother circled the table and brushed a hand over my forehead.
“Are you alright? You look tired.”
I sipped my coffee, the bitterness smarting my tongue. “It’s just hormones.”
She sat down, glancing around like we could be hauled off to jail if anyone heard us. “Oh no. Is it that…time of the month?”
“No, not yet. It’s just a migraine,” I whispered.
“Let me make you an egg, you’ll need some protein,” she said briskly.
Bewildered, I watched her hurry to the stove and flip the gas on, taking a frying pan out. I didn’t protest as she made me an egg white omelette with spinach and refilled my coffee. I was starving and no one had ever made me breakfast before.
She disappeared for a second and returned with a set of curlers and began brushing out my hair as I ate. I let her work on my hair, sitting quietly with a single question churning over in my mind.
Did this mean I didn’t have to sleep with him tonight?
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. This was a mess. Here I was, getting ready to marry the most notoriously handsome man in the outfit in front of everyone. And my face was puffy, my head felt like it was ready to burst, and my mood was on the floor. Tears welled and I scrubbed them away. Crying wouldn’t help anything.
“What’s wrong?” my mother said, frowning.
“I don’t want this, mamma,” I whispered. “Please don’t make me go through with this.”
Before she could say another word, my stepfather appeared in the doorway. I turned and he studied my face for a long moment and then he closed the kitchen door. My mother rose, frowning.
“Mia, would you give Rosalia and I a moment?” he said, his voice gentle.
My mouth was dry as I watched my mother leave, concern written all over her face. My stomach turned over as my stepfather took a seat, leaning his elbows on his knees and meeting my gaze. I wiped my face, bracing for a lecture.
“Listen, Lia, I haven’t always been the best father for you,” he said. “I know that. I know how to have sons, but I never knew how to deal with you. Perhaps that’s why your stepbrothers didn’t bond with you very well. But you are my daughter and we are your family.”
I sat there, too shocked to speak.
“I think your marriage will be a good thing,” he said slowly. “It’s time you went out and experienced life outside this family. I know it hasn’t always been…kind to you.”
I dropped my eyes.
“And I know you’re probably terrified to marry Peregrine Calo today…I had my reservations about this marriage. But I do know that at the very least, he won’t hit you and you won’t want for anything financially.”