Thirty-Two

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XXXII: Wedding Day

MY BODY ACHES. Every movement is laced with pain, a reminder of my encounter with Dexter Arbogast when all I want to do is forget he ever existed.

As soon as I'd exited out the back door of the ballroom, making sure that no one saw the atrocious state I was in, I went to the penthouse to wash Dex's taste away.

Once I was in a pair of jeans and my trusty UGGs, I took my luggage and was ready to go out the door but the ringer of my phone stopped me in my tracks.

It was Simone, most likely wondering where I was. We were supposed to leave for our grandparents' estate right after the conclusion of the rehearsal dinner along with the rest of the wedding party.

My finger hovered over the screen, debating whether or not to answer. I let the call go to voicemail only for the screen to light up with Simone's name once again. With a sigh I answered.

"H-Hello," I spoke past the lump in my throat. Talking to her was the last thing I wanted to do right now, but also the bruising in my neck made it that much harder.

"Eleanor, where have you disappeared to? We've just gotten to Grandmother's."

I opened my mouth to say that I was leaving but I couldn't. I owed her an explanation,  and the physical signs Dexter left behind on my skin provided the best excuse for my need to leave. "I-I just came for something at the penthouse. I'll be there shortly."

"Do hurry, Eleanor. We're all about to go to bed. I don't want my maid of honor having bags tomorrow!"

In a quiet tone I ended the call and just as I was about to walk towards the elevator I heard it open. With a gasp,  I turned and hid in the coat closet. Seeing Max again tonight would not be a good idea, and I know for sure I won't be able to keep composed.

"So what are we doing here again?" I heard Cole say. My brows furrowed in confusion. What was he doing here?

"Told you, I've just come to get my keys and some files."

"What work could be so important that you're doing it the night before your wedding?" Cole said with an edge in his tone.

"Just...some stuff I have to look into. Look, I might be a while. Why don't you head over to the estate, I'll be there soon."

"Alright, whatever you say. But if you look tired as shit tomorrow Simone will personally kick my ass for letting you stay out in the city."

"I won't. Thanks man, see you."

I quickly texted Cole to wait outside the building as I heard Max's footsteps go up the stairs. Dashing into the elevator, I made my descend from Max's penthouse for the last time.

"What were you doing in there?" Cole said when he saw me exit the building.

"Getting my things. I leave tomorrow morning." Cole raised his eyebrows at that but didn't respond except for a worried look and a small smile.

"Alright, let's go then."

AT THE STRIKE of midnight tonight, everything will have changed.

Tonight, two people will exchange vows  and will greet the New Year, as well as their new life together, with open arms.

The time has come.

The wedding is just a few short hours away, and if there were ever any doubt in my mind that today would be the hardest day of my life, the worry was soon reassured when my eyes fluttered open to a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. 

Standing in the large, beautiful room in the estate, I took in each decoration, every fiber of the rug, every last detail to distract myself from what was yet to come.

After asking the maid to bring my luggage down to one of the cars, I made my way out of the room and walked down the hall. I froze outside the tall door, my arm refusing to move.

While I was busy trying to muster the strength to knock, the door flew open to show Simone in a lovely robe with lace accents. "Oh, Eleanor. I was just about to go find you."

"What did you need?" I said walking into the room when Simone stepped aside to let me through.

"Just something about the hairstyle you asked the stylist for. But that can wait. Did you need to speak to me?"

I sat on the bed, my hands trailing down the feather duvet nervously. "He was there last night."

I felt the bed dip but didn't look up from the sea of pillows. "Who?"

"Dexter."

I heard her gasp. Simone reached forward and pulled down the neck of my sweater to expose the bruises his hands left behind. "Eleanor..."

I pushed her hands away and stood. "Eleanor, I swear I had no idea he would be there. Please, believe me, I would never let him anywhere near you."

"I know."

"The bruises, I'm sure we can cover them. Maybe find a pendant, or diamond choker to--"

"Simone, I can't be in your wedding. I want to go home..."

Simone stood and walked towards me. My eyes met her soft ones, and I winced at the concern in them. "I understand."

I stared into her eyes and felt tears well in my own. God, I was such a terrible person. Simone had done nothing to me, yet I'd gone off and chased her fiance.

I didn't regret it, not one second I spent with Max because it has been a blessing to see him again and to right things between us. But I did regret that I didn't regret it. If Simone ever found out what I'd done, all the hurt I would cost her...

That I would regret.

"I'm so sorry, Simone," I said in the murmur. Tears ran down Simone's face as she pulled me into a hug.

"Eleanor, I-I don't know what to tell you. I wish I'd done something then, I wish I'd done something last night. I shouldn't have kept quiet, shouldn't have let them manipulate me. I am so deeply sorry, Eleanor. I could never say it enough, nothing could ever make up for what I've done to you. I've broken our bond, destroyed the trust you had for me."

I cried then, because Simone was apologizing when I'm the one that's in love with her fiance. It was wrong, so so wrong, and I couldn't do anything except cry. I hugged her tighter and smothered my sobs into her shoulder. "I'm sorry."

She would never know exactly what I was apologizing for. But still, I was sorry that I'd ever allowed myself to hurt her.

FINALLY OUR TEARS RAN DRY, and when they did I left that room feeling infinitely better. Simone and I had mended our relationship, and I would leave knowing that she was going to okay.

My next stop was Hannah.

Knocking gently on her door only to be received by silence, I turned the knob and walked inside. There lay the girl, wrapped in covers and her surrounded by pillows. I smiled at the innocence in her face and knew that she too was going to be alright.

I'd convinced Max to stop pushing her away, and I leave now reassured that things between them will be less strained and distant.

Taking a piece of stationary from the desk in the room, I quickly wrote her a note and placed it beside her.

Staring down at her vulnerability, I couldn't help but hesitate. If there was one person I regret leaving, it's Hannah. She's so young and needs so much guidance and support, things I never had at her age. When I first met her I'd pledged to be her ally, a friendly face amongst the others, yet here I was leaving her behind to fend for herself.

But I had to leave. I can't watch Max marry her.

Picking up the note, I added a few simple sentences that I know would be the advice I'd tell her if I were here:

Stay strong, Hannah. If you don't let them, nothing can break you.

Looking down at my wrist, I suddenly was filled with an empowering feeling of closure and metamorphosis.

Someone once gave me this bracelet as a symbol of beauty, support, and strength. There is no substance stronger in the world than a diamond, but whoever said that hasn't met you. Take this bracelet and wear it when you feel down as a reminder of the priceless, rare thing that you are, just like these diamonds.

Love, Elle

P.S: Stay in touch, I'd love for you to visit me in Italy this summer.

I took off the bracelet that hides my scar, and felt an immense weight lift off my shoulders. Grandmother had given this to me to give me strength, but now I don't need it. No longer will I try and hide my past. It is a part of me, and it's made me the person I am today.

Placing the bracelet over the note, I leaned forward and gave Hannah a kiss on the forehead. Then I left her room.

As I was making my way down the corridors, I ran into Cole. "Hey."

He looked at me, gulped nervously, and gave me a strained smile. "Hey you. Have you seen Hannah around?"

"She's still asleep." I said with furrowed brows. "Why what's the matter?"

I watched as Cole broke eye contact and gave what he assumed was a nonchalant chuckle. "No nothing. Come on I'll walk you out."

"Cole..." I crossed my arms over my chest and regarded him with a stern expression.

"Fine," he said running a hand down his face in frustration. "Here's the thing, Max isn't here."

"What do you mean he isn't here?" I asked as my arms fell slack on my sides.

"He never came to the estate. I'm freaking out, Elle. Simone is going to fucking murder me for letting him out of my sight."

I let out a sigh, "He probably just slept in the city. I'm sure he'll be here any moment."

Cole starred deep into my eyes and gave an uncertain nod. "Yeah, probably just traffic."

"Right," I said straightening and throwing my wool coat on. "I've got to run, see if my flight can be changed to an earlier one."

Cole smiled and pulled me into a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, Elle."

"I will," I murmured into his chest. "Come visit soon. We can have a crazy spring break in Venice or something."

"I'd like that," he squeezed me for a second longer then stepped back. "See you when I see you."

With a wave, I turned and walked out of the estate. I couldn't say goodbye to my grandparents because it's just not possible. Now that we've made up I will never say goodbye again. As soon as I land, I'll give her a call.

Once in the car, the driver offered me a smile. "All set, Miss Eleanor?"

I nodded, frankly because the lump in my throat wouldn't have let me reply anyway.

The car flew forward, and I forced myself not to look back.

A/N: Excuse the mistakes! This is part one of the last chapter. I decided to split it up into two separate ones because the last chapter would have been massive. Anyway, hope you guys liked this part, predictions welcome! :)

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