“Go on,” I said, my voice so calm it even frightened me. “Don’t stop for me. You were talking about the honeymoon, weren’t you? And how I’m a financial investment.”
Jerry tried to approach, raising his hands in a gesture of supplication.
—Sofia, my love, it’s not what it seems… You’re misinterpreting everything, it’s just nerves, we were just…
“Shut up!” My shout echoed off the tiled walls, cutting his lie off at the root. I looked him in the eye and saw the coward hiding behind the mask. “Don’t you dare insult my intelligence now. I heard you, Jerry. I heard every word. The ruin, my father’s name, the pity you feel for me.”
I turned to Vanessa. She was trembling, tears beginning to ruin her perfect makeup.
“And you…” I whispered, moving closer until I could smell her perfume, the same one I’d given her for her birthday. “You were my sister. I confided my fears, my dreams, in you. I let you into my family. And all this time you were laughing behind my back?”
“Sofia, please… I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to…” Vanessa sobbed, trying to grab my arm.
I turned away in disgust.
—Don’t touch me. Never touch me again.
Jerry, regaining some of his usual arrogance when he saw that he couldn’t deny it, changed tactics. His face hardened.
“Look, Sofia, let’s be adults. Yes, we made a mistake. But the wedding’s paid for, the guests are upstairs, your father has invited important associates. You can’t cancel this now. It would be a scandal. Let’s make a deal: we get married, we keep up appearances, and with time… well, we’ll see what happens. You don’t have to humiliate yourself in front of everyone.”
I looked at him and felt a wave of disbelief. Did he really think his manipulation would work again? Did he believe my fear of what others would say was greater than my dignity?
I smiled. It was a sad smile, but liberating.
“You’re right, Jerry. It would be a scandal,” I said softly, smoothing the hem of my dress. “But you’re wrong about one thing. The only person who’s going to be humiliated today isn’t me.”
Without saying another word, I turned around and walked towards the door.
“Sofia! Sofia, wait! What are you going to do?” Jerry shouted from behind me, panic returning to his voice.
I didn’t answer. I left the bathroom and went upstairs. Each step I took lifted a weight off my shoulders. I felt like I was rising, leaving behind a life of lies.