By the time Viviana woke up the next day, she'd been called over for a meeting as early as nine in the morning. Now she'd beelined for the living room, where she found her father seated with a cup of tea in his hand.
Her stepmother, Savannah, was present as well. Even Fernando and his family.
Viviana asked, "May I know what is happening, Pa?"
Her father didn't speak. Savannah did, saying, "The wedding will go on as planned."
It took a moment before the information settled. She gaped at them. "What?"
"You heard me. The wedding will proceed as discussed."
Her gaze grew cold and empty. "No. I refuse. I will not marry this piece of filth of a man. I will never lower myself and marry a man who proudly cheats on me and brags about it to my face."
Savannah chuckled. "I think you're misunderstanding something here."
"No one is asking for your opinion, sweetie. The decision has already been made. You have no choice. We've spoken to Fernando here—" She pointed. "—And what happened last night was nothing short of a drunk mistake. You're overreacting, and I need you to stop."
"Oh…"
Viviana's eyes sharpened.
"I see. I saw the headlines. Is this what you told them? Is that why it's—"
She had barely finished when Savannah stood up, raising her hand in a flash. With a loud snap she gave her a solid smack across the face. "Watch your mouth!"
Viviana blinked, fluttering her lashes as the stinging pain settled. She stared wide-eyed, her breathing rough, but no one reacted, not even her father.
Not that she was surprised. This wasn't the first time Savannah had put her hands on her and her father always pretended he saw none of it.
"A drunk mistake. Really?" She slowly turned to her father. "Pa, you're not supporting this, are you?"
"You ungrateful little sh*t." Savannah rolled her eyes. "Don't you get that this is for your sake?"
"For my sake?"
"Yes," this time, her father was the one who spoke. "What our family needs now, girl, is not a scandal as big as this. Do you know what will happen if you decide to annul this engagement? Do you know what the media will say? Write-ups will be everywhere, and I know you're not naive. You're a smart woman, Viviana, and I'm sure you understand why I have to do this."
He smiled at her. "There is nothing to worry about. This nonsense will not repeat itself. After all, we've had a good talk with Fernando over here."
Viviana made eye contact with Fernando, and he grinned at her.
His mother, who was also present, rose to her feet.
"Young lady D-grassi, my husband and I have apologized on behalf of our son's misbehavior. He's not someone that can hold his alcohol much, and from what we've gathered, he'd had a few to drink last night."
Viviana's brows slightly arched.
What sort of a joke was this? Her father wouldn't do this to her. He wouldn't.
But he just did.
"You…" For once, her calm state faltered, voice shaking, "Is this really your decision?"
"Viviana—"
'I'm not a puppet, Pa. I am your daughter, a person with feelings. And you're doing this to me. Do you know how much it hurts? All my life, you've forced me to be the best version of myself in every aspect. Talk properly, walk properly, dress properly, eat properly, smile properly. Do you realize at all how hard I've had to work to meet every speck of your expectations?"
She barked. Her eyes burned. But no one was listening.
"I was never allowed to date a man of my choice. I've never been allowed to choose anything of my own will. And now… you're bringing me so low to the point of insisting on a marriage with a man, a cheater who does it proudly. You're protecting him! You're covering him, choosing him over me! I am your daughter!"
"Enough!" Amadeo retorted with a stone cold look. "Enough is enough. And I want you quiet!"
Viviana stared in disbelief.
Her laughter burst out, and she threw her head back, shoulders slumped. "Right. Why am I even surprised? You would do anything, even break me if it means you'd please her. If it means to the world, you are a perfect man."
Amadeo stood up. He approached her, snatching her chin and forcing her to stare right into his eyes.
"Think what you will, my dear. You're my daughter, and that's never going to change. You can be as ungrateful as you wish, but every decision I've made and am making is for your sake and this family. I am doing this for you, and you're just failing to see the big picture here."
"This wedding will happen tomorrow as planned," he continued with a stony determination. "Don't disgrace us, Viviana. The Di-grassi family can't afford it. This is a warning. I'm not begging you."
He let go and walked past her to leave. Savannah followed suit, and so did Mrs. Stolov.
The only person left was Fernando.
He walked up to her, stepped into her space, and grinned, baring his teeth.
"Didn't I tell you, sweetie? Me, Fernando, I always win. And I'm always going to. You can't beat me, and the sooner you fully accept it and are ready to be a good wife to me, the better. I've got to mention, I'm really enjoying this. Seeing you so miserable. I don't know, It's kinda entertaining."
He chuckled happily as he stepped past her, leaving.
Viviana's grip on the handle of her bag tightened, and she almost broke down there, biting down on her lip to control herself.
"Stay calm, Viviana. Do not break," she chanted to herself, calming herself down.
Leaving the mansion, it took her thirty minutes to make it back to her apartment. Her maids were all already filed in order, ready to undress her and attend to her needs. But she however dismissed them for the day, and headed into the bathroom, where she filled the tub before unzipping her dress.
She didn't step into the bath just yet. But she walked over to the long mirror, turning to stare at her back. At her angry, seething scars. Scars she'd never forget. Given by her father to please a mistress he'd chosen over her mother.
Her mother, whom he'd tossed aside like trash.
Slowly, she began to laugh. But in a heartbeat, it morphed into a cry that had her hunched over the sink, nausea rushing to her throat. She wasn't thinking. She wasn't even entirely sure she was breathing.
Reaching for her phone inside her bag, her fingers trembled over the screen, dialing Sabrina's number.
She stumbled over to the tub and settled into the warm water.
[Hi, Vivi!]
"Sabrina."
[What's wrong? You don't sound so good?]
"You were right. My father does not care. I'm just… an asset to him."
[I want to say I told you so, but you're in pain. Right?]
Viviana dragged her fingers through her wet hair. "I've lost all control of my own life. But if I ponder on it, I've never really been in control. Nothing in my life has ever been what I want. I can't choose, I can't say yes or no. I've never been given an option. It's… it's pathetic."
[Viviana]
"I pity myself, Sabrina."
[Vivi, don't say that. You're a strong woman, and I know that because no one can handle your family like you have. They scare the hell out of me. But let's forget this for now. What do you say to coming over? We can hang out and do whatever you want]
Viviana shook her head. "I can't. Not now."
[Why? Do you have other plans for tonight?]
"Mhm. I suppose I do."
[Which is?]
She said, "The blind date you spoke of, I'd like to give it a try."
Silence dropped on the other side of the phone.
[Huh?!]
"Set me up."
[Why the sudden change of mind?]
"Sabrina—"
[Viviana, no. What in the world are you planning to do?]
"Sabri…" Viviana lolled her head back. "Don't you want me to be free?"
[I…]
"Please, set me up."