Page 2 of Bound in Obsession
Behind us, Sienna follows. She’s wrapped in a dark silk scarf Camilla pressed into her hands before the door opened, the fabric draped neatly over her head and around her neck.
Her hair is tucked beneath it, only a few loose strands visible at the edges. With her head bowed, her face stays mostly hidden. She pretends to fuss with the train of my dress, smoothing invisible wrinkles.
Papa’s gaze sweeps over us. I feel it like heat on my skin, even through the lace. He steps forward, ready to offer his arm to the bride.
Camilla moves before he can reach me. “Sienna’s train caught on the step back there,” she says quickly.
He opens his mouth, probably to snap, so Camilla quickly adds, “It’s a small tear, but you know how these photographers are. One good shot of a ripped hem and it’s all over the society pages. We’ll fix it in thirty seconds.”
“Eleonora, make sure you take off that hideous scarf before coming into the church,” he snaps, pointing at Sienna who tries her best to sound like me as she continues to fuss with my dress. “Yes, papa.”
She’s good, because he doesn’t even notice the difference. Camila hooks her hand firmly around my arm, and steers me away from him. “It won’t take long. I promise.”
We slip left.
Sienna and I peel away from the main path, turning into the narrow side garden corridor. Roses line the walls, thorns catching at the chiffon as I move faster than the dress allows.
Gravel crunches softly beneath my shoes as the noise of the crowd fades behind us. The corridor is narrow, hedges rising high on either side, blocking sightlines from the cathedral steps.
“I will stay back and keep watch,” Camilla says, briefly hugging Sienna. She whispers something in her ear before letting her go.
At the end of the path, a matte-black sedan waits. Domenico stands beside it, leaning against the driver’s side. His eyes lock on Sienna the second she appears, and something raw flickers across his face. Relief.
Sienna reaches for me, hands gripping my arms as she pulls me into a quick, fierce embrace, face buried against my shoulder.Her voice breaks on the words. “Thank you. God, Eleonora, thank you.”
I wrap my arms around her. “Go,” I whisper against her hair. “Before the next security sweep.”
She nods, tears soaking into the lace. Then she pulls away, straightens her spine, and steps toward him.
Domenico doesn’t hesitate. He takes her hand and threads his fingers through hers. He gives me a nod.
He’s one of Papa’s soldiers. Sienna met him a year ago at one of Papa’s events, when he was assigned to security. She’s been in love with him ever since. And Papa has no idea they’ve been sneaking around right under his nose. I’m happy they finally get to be together.
Within seconds, they’re gone. I watch until they’re completely out of sight.
A small, fierce happiness blooms in my chest. She’s free. Sienna’s finally getting the thing none of us were ever supposed to have: a happily ever after.
In our world, happily ever after is a myth we’re raised to stop believing in early. Marriages aren’t about love, they’re about leverage. Men take mistresses openly, parade them without shame, while their wives learn to look the other way. If you’relucky, that’s all you endure. If you’re not… well, some men don’t stop at cheating. Some talk with their fists.
But Domenico? He looks at Sienna like she hung the moon and the stars just for him. He worships her. And she loves him back, the kind of love that makes you stupid and brave at the same time.
They have what the rest of us will never touch. The fact that she’s going to have it, gives me the courage to turn back toward the cathedral instead of running after her. If one of us gets a chance at a life chosen freely, then this is worth it. Worth whatever comes next.
I have no idea where they’re headed. It’s better that way. If Papa decides to hunt them down, none of us can give him answers. Not even under pressure.
I let out a slow breath that fogs the lace in front of my mouth. One sister safe. One life spared the cage. I turn back toward the chapel path. The roses snag at my skirt again as I move.
I lift the veil slightly, just enough to readjust it.
Before I can take another step, a deep baritone slices through the quiet behind, startling me. “Usually, brides don’t sneak around on their wedding day.”
Ice floods my spine. I stop mid-stride.
I lower the veil slowly and turn. He stands a few paces away, as if he’s grown out of the garden itself. Where the hell did he come from? The garden was empty a second ago. I’m sure of it. My gaze flicks to the rose bushes behind him. How long has this man been standing there?
Did he see Sienna leave? The thought crashes through me so fast my chest goes tight. My eyes dart toward the side gate where she disappeared with Domenico. They are gone now. But what if he saw?
A cold wave of panic creeps up my spine. If he knows, if he tells Papa?—
