Chapter Four.

I turned to him. Wanting to shove him away from me. But I remained calm.

“You are already awake, my love?” His eyes drifted to the bottle beside me. “Have you been drinking?”

“Where did you go?” I asked, holding his gaze.

“I went to make sure the house was in order for you.”

Such a bloody liar.

“You have been acting rather strange lately. Is everything okay?” His voice sounded genuinely worried.

“I am fine, Richard; it's just the wedding makes me anxious. You don't have to worry about me.”

Worry about your slutty mistress down there. I wanted to add.

“I am always worried about you, Eleanor. You are everything to me.”

I faked a smile.

“The wedding is in a few days. I want your dress to shout most beautiful woman in the world. We should go for your fitting today. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, Richard. That’s a good idea.”

“Then after the wedding, we could go to smackbang,” he said.

My head snapped. “Really?”

He nodded. “You have always wanted to see the snow there. Now would be the perfect time.”

He was right. I had always wanted to see the snow. It’s unfortunate we won’t get to see it together anymore.

“That’s so thoughtful, Richard, thank you.”

He kissed me. But all I felt was emptiness, unlike the butterflies I felt in my stomach some months back.

“I would be handling some business before the wedding, so I would be away. But I will be back before then, I promise.”

“That’s fine, Richard, take your time.”

I turned away from him.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered.

You must think I am some fool, Richard.

We won't even get to say a proper goodbye because you will be in bed with your mistress.

The next morning, we drove to the boutique for my fitting.

Sophie sat at the front. Headset plugged in, bobbing her head to the music.

“Why is she here?” I asked Richard.

“Homey, you know I don't know much about things like this. I thought it better we had a feminine perspective, and since she is around, we could make good use of her.”

I said nothing.

We pulled up in front of the biggest boutique in town. I had sent in my measurements a few days back.

Richard walked to the side and opened the door for Sophie. I watched her step out, holding her hand in his.

Then he turned to me and opened my side of the car.

But I didn’t take his hand.

“Right this way, ma’am,” the designer said.

We walked into a brightly lit room with a showcase of different wedding gowns.

The designer handed me my dress and helped me slip it on.

It was beautiful, a bit loose on the ends but nonetheless. A wave of sadness hit me because I couldn’t even enjoy my fitting alone with Richard.

“Oh, Eleanor, you are the most beautiful woman alive.” He said, whistling.

“Aww, that's so lovely. That would look a lot better on me,” Sophie said.

My eyes rolled.

Richard glared at her. As if she realised what she said, she looked away.

“Do you like it, honey?” Richard asked me.

I nodded. It didn't matter; I wasn't going to be wearing it either way.

“I would just make a few adjustments here,” the designer said.

I slipped off the dress in the dressing room, and I could see Sophie pointing to a beaded white dress on the queue.

“Can I get this, Richard?”

“Why would you want to get this when you are not getting married, Sophie?” he asked.

“For our wedding someday, Richard. Why does she get to have all the fun?”

He smiled.

“Okay, you can add it to the bill,” he said.

My blood boiled.

“Thank you!” she blurted, batting her lashes.

Richard's phone rang, and he stepped out to answer it.

Sophie turned to me, venom in her eyes.

Our eyes met; she took fast strides towards me.

“I hope you can see who he loves more. “Deaf woman,” she spat. “He even got me a promise ring.”

She flashed her fingers. It was a diamond ring.

Just like the one I had on.

“You can deceive everybody, but you can't deceive me, Eleanor. Your pity party is over. You can't say you can't hear at all. I have seen the way you turn to sounds. Wait till he finds out just how dirty you are.”

My eyes widened. A smile spread on my lips.

So she suspected after all. Foolish girl.

“You have always been a second option, Sophie. You are always backstage to get the leftovers.”

She gasped. “How dare you!”

I stepped aside to walk past her.

Her hand gripped mine, but I swatted it away.

Her leg slipped, causing her to fall backward and land on her butt.

Just then, Richard stepped in.

“My feet!” She cried out.

“Sophie!” He yelled, running to her.