Breaking Through (The Breaking Series Book 3) (39 page)

“It was not your fault.”

“I know.” I let out a long breath. “I know, but I can’t help but feel like I should have been there. I should have—”

She rested her hand over mine. “It’s okay, Gui. I’m fine now.” She offered a tiny smile. “Before I fell asleep, I was thinking about you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I was thinking about telling you that the pepper spray and the self-defense came in handy after all.”

I shook my head and squeezed her hand. “How I wish you would never need to use both of those things.”

Sighing, she let go of my hand. “Me too. But … I’m glad I had those tools, you know?”

I nodded.

Damn, this woman. She made my heart hurt and swell with pride and with—

I gasped, realizing something that had been obvious for a while now, but I had been too blind to see.

“Hil, I—”

The door opened and a nurse came in. “Hi, Miss Taylor.” She smiled warmly at the girl in the bed. “I came to take you to your CT scan.”

“Oh, okay.” Hilary looked at me. “Hm, thanks for stopping by.” With the nurse’s help, Hilary stood from the bed.

“Y-you’re welcome,” I whispered.

Fifteen seconds later, Hilary was out of the room and I was left alone with too many feelings and thoughts. Once more, the urge to punch the wall hit me hard and fast. The girl on the second bed moaned and stirred, and that was the only reason why I didn’t.

I scurried out of the room.

Chapter Thirty-One

Sometimes I thought my mother could move more than mountains. Entire islands maybed. Well, it was a better way of thinking than acknowledging that she had money to buy everything and everyone.

After leaving the hospital on Sunday evening, my parents escorted me to their house—no way they were leaving me alone at my apartment in such a state. Even Hannah spent the night at my parents’ house with us.

Hannah’s and Leo’s wedding was next Saturday, so we had scheduled a three-day visit to a local, famous spa for all the girls right before the wedding. But with my bruises—the ones on my body and the ones in my soul—my mother called the spa and was able to squeeze Hannah and me earlier.

They both had planned everything while I rested in my old bedroom on Monday morning. Hannah even went to my apartment and packed a bag for me. Then, right before noon, she pushed me in her car and we were off to the spa.

Just like that.

Note: They didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go.

On the drive there, Hannah made her best to convince me it was for the best. Even though my mind was quieter and more at peace than it had been in three years, my body had been abused and I needed time to relax and heal before the wedding.

It seemed crazy that I was feeling better about myself after such a tragic event, but it was true. I had talked to Dr. Walker this morning on the phone, and she told me that was natural.

“I’m very proud of you,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll believe me now when I tell you that you’ll feel whole again soon.”

I did believe her now. I did feel it now.

We checked into the spa and, with a big smile, Hannah hooked her arm with mine. “Now, let’s see what we’ll do first!”

***

The big day was here.

Five days at the spa had been a little too much, but it was exactly what I needed. I had great bonding time with my sister, I relaxed, I was taken care of, I ate and slept well, and I knew I was safe. Nobody could get to me here. Then Bia, Gabi, Lauren, and Iris arrived, and we all bonded a little more. At first, they were all walking on eggshells around me, but then, I don’t know, I felt different. It was as if an old part of me had broken loose from the walls I had erected around me long ago—a fun part, a more relaxed and social part. I still wasn’t the old sixteen-year-old Hilary—I guess I never would be again, after all, I had grown up—but I wasn’t so scared and reserved anymore.

On the last day, Bia hugged me and said she was so glad to see this new side of me. Gabi seemed excited about this new development in my personality too.

As for me, I was still processing all that had happened these past few days. Dr. Walker stopped by twice during the week—I bet my mother was paying for these overpriced exclusive clinics—and we talked for a while. She also mentioned I looked lighter, and by our second meeting, I was smiling more on my own.

I guess knowing I wasn’t defenseless against a 250-pound man helped defeat most of my fears.

Now I just had one more fear on my list to scratch off, and I was coming up with a plan for it that included the wedding.

My mother had designated two of the guest bedrooms on the east side of the house for the guys to get ready, while Hannah, the girls, and I were camped in Hannah’s and my bedroom on the west side of the house.

Gabi zipped up my dress and looked at me in the mirror over my shoulder.

“You look beautiful,” she said.

I smiled. Yeah, I guess I could say I did look nice. I still didn’t like the yellow Hannah had chosen for our dresses—it didn’t go well with my fair skin and blond hair—but I like the dress and accessories enough to compensate for it. Besides, I liked my sister, and if this was what she wanted for her big day, that was how she was going to have it.

The yellow of my dress was a different tone than the other girls. It was brighter, more open, while the girls had a soft yellow. My dress was strapless with a tight bodice encrusted with little fake diamonds and a flowy skirt that opened up from the hips. A rip on the right side came up to almost thigh-high, showing off a little skin. Fake diamonds adorned the hem of the skirt—and the rip. A heavy, real diamond bracelet sat on my left wrist, and I had thin but long diamond earrings. My hair was pulled up in a tight ponytail decorated with several thin braids, but a few strands were pulled on the front, forming side-swept bangs. Fake diamonds spread through the length of my hair completed the look. I had designed it all, so it was a given I liked it, but oh, I really liked it.

“Thanks,” I said, taking a step to the side so she could be in the mirror too. “And you too.”

It was incredible how all the Fernandeses looked amazing; they all had come from a top-model-making tree or something. That was the only explanation. And Gabi was no exception. With her long, wavy dark hair, bright blue eyes, and fair skin, she had the face of a fierce angel. Like me, soon she would be twenty, and I found it hard that no guy had snatched her up yet.

She twirled and the skirt of her dress flared up. “Thanks. This dress is perfect.”

This was Hannah’s and Leo’s day, and as maid of honor, I had to make sure
everything
was perfect.

Just like Hannah.

Still smiling, I turned around and looked at my sister. She was in front of the other mirror, applying lip gloss on her lips for the hundredth time—her hands shook slightly.

“You’re gonna use up all that lip gloss today,” I joked.

She sighed and offered me a small, nervous smile. “I know!”

Gosh, if someday I got married, I hoped I looked half as great as she did. Her dress was also strapless, but a custom lace fabric covered the bodice, coming up to her neck. It was sleeveless, but she wore gloves from the middle of her hands to her elbows with the same lace fabric. And the skirt was made of ruffled lace and silk juxtaposed, all with tiny, fake diamonds, forming a rain pattern that got heavier at the bottom. Her hair was pulled up in an intricate bun with several specifically placed loose strands here and there, and a real diamond tiara—a gift from our parents.

She looked every bit like a princess. A real princess living her fairy tale. Her happily ever after.

Hannah smiled at me. “What?”

“You … you look amazing.”

Her smile widened. “Half of this—” She gestured to herself. “—is all your doing. Thanks, by the way, for the most gorgeous wedding dress I have ever seen.”

I shrugged, a little embarrassed and a lot proud of the compliment.

A few seconds later, my mother entered the bedroom. “Charles just told me the boys are all ready and waiting for us. They want to know if you’re ready too.”

We all looked around. Everyone seemed ready.

“We’re ready,” Hannah said.

“All right,” my mother said. “I’ll tell Leo that he can go, then.”

Hannah smiled faded. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

My mother grabbed her hand, worried. “What?”

“It’s happening,” Hannah muttered. “Oh my God, it’s really happening.”

We all laughed.

“Yes, it is.” My mother squeezed her hand. “And it’s going to be perfect. See you out there.” She kissed my sister on the cheek and, after smiling at the rest of us, she walked out the bedroom.

I stepped into my mother’s place and took Hannah’s hand. “Come on.”

As a group, the girls and I went down the stairs—everyone was forbidden to enter the house for now. The only ones allowed were my parents, Leo’s parents, the guys, and us. Even so, my parents and Leo’s parents were being watchful so Leo and Hannah wouldn’t cross paths before the actual wedding.

Hannah stayed behind with my father in the living room, while the rest of us went to meet the guys in the solarium, from where we all would exit to the backyard, where the guests were waiting.

The guys wolf whistled when we entered and the couples reunited. No way to avoid him now. Not that I wanted to.

I sighed. I had seen him before in a tuxedo—it had been an unfinished one, but still it looked pretty good. Now he looked way better. It was easy to see he had gotten a haircut—though not too short—and he had applied a little gel or mousse, though I guess only I could tell the difference from his usual super messy style to this on-purpose messy style, since I was probably the only one who had paid that much attention to his hair.

And the tux … it was sin on him.

“You look beautiful,” Gui said, approaching me. He was serious, his eyes intent, shining with too many unsaid words. “You are beautiful.”

My cheeks warmed. “Thanks. You don’t look too bad either.”

“I guess I can blame the designer.” One corner of his lips tugged up. “She’s a pretty great fashion designer, you know.”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t help the small grin that popped onto my lips.

His eyes … his impossibly blue eyes were killing me. I could read so much in them—his worry, his concern, his caring. But was it enough? Was it as much as I wanted it to be? If it weren’t, then I would make a fool of myself.

My mother and father entered the solarium, followed by João Pedro. Because of their Brazilian background, we tried to mix the ceremony, make it as Brazilian
and
American as we could. For that, Leo was already outside with his mother, Agnes, waiting for my mother’s signal.

“Everyone ready?” my mother asked. We all nodded. “Okay, then. See you all outside.”

She and João Pedro exited to the backyard. My mother signaled the musicians, and they started playing a song Leo and Hannah had selected. Leo and his mother walked through the arch on the white wall erected between the house and the backyard. Then my mother went with his father.

Then it was time for us.

Gui offered me his arm. “Ready?”

I smiled and took his arm.

Together, we walked down the aisle followed by Ri and Lauren, Pedro and Iris, Bia and Garrett, and Gabi and Vin
í
cius, a seventeen-year-old cousin of Leo’s from his mother’s side. After we all took our places at the altar, we waited. Five nerve-wrecking minutes until the musicians started playing the nuptial march.

Like a princess, Hannah emerged from the arch with our father.

There were exclamations all around, but I was paying attention to Leo. His entire face brightened; his smile was the widest and purest I had ever seen. Happiness filled my core. Happiness for my sister.

The wedding proceeded as planned.

After Hannah and Leo were married, the guests were guided deeper into our backyard where the tables, chairs, and buffet tables had been set around a large wooden dance floor and stage, all under fancy gazebos.

We made toasts, a few of us said a few words—me, Gui, Bia, João Pedro, Megan—we ate the food, and the real party began. My mother had bought enough food and drinks and paid waitresses and the band well enough to last all night long. We wouldn’t leave this shindig before it was morning again.

Hannah and Leo had opened the dance floor with a waltz. Our parents followed them, and then the other couples of the family joined them. Gabi, Gui, and I were the only ones left. Finally, Gui’s mother—whom I finally got to meet—insisted Gui took Gabi dancing. And I stayed behind alone.

I sat at our table, happy for Hannah and Leo and my family, but suddenly feeling alone at this amazing party. Which was ridiculous. I shouldn't feel lonely just because I didn’t have a partner to dance with.

In fact, I wouldn’t allow myself to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or lonely. No. I was done with all that. It didn’t matter if I had anyone to dance with. I could mingle and talk to my mother’s friends, to Hannah’s friends. I bet they all would be happy to say hi to me, to learn more about the details of the party and the dresses. I had been getting questions about the dresses and tuxes all evening.