Cruel Vows

PAISLEY

“What about this one?” Mia asks, holding up a beautiful ruby red maxi length dress with split-leg. It wouldn’t suit me in the slightest, but it’s stunning. All my life, I’ve been wearing ripped jeans and denim skirts. Dresses just aren’t my style.

I shake my head. “It’s too flashy.”

Mia sighs and stows it back on the rail in her walk-in closet, slumping down on the stool in the center. “You’re the hardest person to dress I’ve ever met.”

I raise a brow. “Do I even have to attend tonight?”

“There’s no way Massimo would let you skip it and you know it.”

I shut my eyes, resting my head back on the headrest of this ridiculously comfy armchair in the corner of her closet, because yes, her closet is big enough to have an armchair, a sofa and a huge bench in the center.

Tonight is some kind of fundraising event that Remy is throwing at his casino, and I’m expected to attend on the arm of my husband.

Perhaps this will be my chance to piss him off in public.

After all, he may be damn good in bed, but that’s about all he’s good for. I haven’t given up hope that somehow I’ll find a way out of this mess of a marriage.

“You have to pick a dress, Paisley. Are you sure there’s nothing in the closet Massimo bought for you?”

I clench my jaw. “I want nothing from him. I told you.”

“I know, but it’s not really from him. As the maid would have sent for them and it’s our family money. You’re part of the family now.” She beams widely, as if that’s a good thing.

She has been my only saving grace throughout this entire ordeal.

I sigh heavily. “Fine, we can take a look.”

She jumps up, smiling. “Great, I’m so excited. I might wear one of your dresses as I haven’t picked one yet.”

I shake my head as she grabs my hand, leading me out of her room and down the corridor to Massimo’s room.

He hates when I call it his room, as apparently it’s our room now.

Mia releases my hand as she rushes for the closet, sorting through clothes before I even make it in there.

Massimo’s closet is large, but not as huge as Mia’s. I guess most men don’t need to be sitting in their closet for hours on end, picking what to wear.

Their options are enviable. It’s expected they’ll wear a suit, and it’s as simple as that.

At least suits are comfortable and not degrading in the least.

“Oh my god, this is perfect for you.”

I look up to see Mia holding a jet black maxi dress with off the shoulder sleeves and a conservatively sweeping neckline.

It’s a dress, but it has a slightly grungy look to it, and she’s right. Out of all the dresses I’ve seen today, it’s by far the best option.

I raise a brow. “I’ll try it on, but I’m not making any promises.”

“Eek,” she makes a nondescript, high-pitched sound that makes me roll my eyes. “While you put it on, I’ll see if there’s anything for me in here.” She pauses. “As long as you don’t mind?”

I shake my head. “They don’t belong to me, anyway. And of course I wouldn’t mind if they did.”

She sighs, but doesn’t argue that they are indeed my dresses. I undress and slide on the maxi dress, turning to her. “Can you help me zip it up?”

“Of course.” She rushes over and zips it up at the back. “Turn around and let me see.”

I turn, and she gasps, holding her hand dramatically to her chest. “You look stunning.”

“You’re just saying that.”

She shakes her head. “No, seriously, look for yourself.” She gestures to the mirror on the far wall.

I approach it, feeling a little nervous about how I’ll look in a dress. Other than the wedding dress I had no choice but to wear, this is the only other dress I’ve ever worn.

Even to prom, I wore jeans and a blouse. Fuck society dictating that woman must wear dresses and look pretty all the time.

As I come into view, my heart skips a beat. Mia is right. The dress looks good on me, better than I expected.

It’s difficult to recognize myself as I stare at the girl in the mirror, wondering who she is. This exuberant lifestyle and flashy dresses is so far away from what I’m used to.

“Beautiful, right?” Mia asks, coming to stand by my side.

“Not bad,” I say.

She shakes her head. “Have we found the one?”

I nod. “I think so. It’s the best of a bad bunch.”