Chapter 22

• I find myself drifting to sleep, constantly waking. By nine, I give in, I need more sleep, but my mind isn't going to let me. Getting showered, I get dressed. My eyes peer into the mirror quickly seeing the bruises. I look around. I have no makeup, no way to hide them. I kneel at my drawers, searching through, pulling out a silk scarf. I wrap it around my neck.
• Smiling slightly now that I can't see the bruises, I call through to the venue and book, the payment going through without an issue. Surely that means he wants to marry me? I glance to the door hearing the knock. Walking over, I open it and look at them confused.
• “Daniella Rae.” My mum hugs me as she walks in with my dad, sitting they talk to me about the wedding, my eyes trying to get my mum’s attention; this isn't right. She sits smiling as my dad holds her hand. They look happy. I was that happy at the start with Alesandro, not now, though. I watch as my dad walks to the bathroom.