A distant knocking sound pulls me out of my sleep. The sound is sharp and continuous enough it pushes aside the clouds of sleep.

Groggily, I crack open an eyelid. Last night's memories dance before my vision, and my back is pressed against Spencer's chest. Neither helping with finding the will to climb out of the bed and get the goddamn door.

I'm half tempted to yell profanities at whoever the fuck that's on the other side.

Suddenly it hits me. Today is the day and I jolt upright, making Spencer groan and rub his face.

"I don't think anyone would approve of seeing you in my room right now," I whisper shout as he blinks the sleep away from his eyes.

I climb out of the bed, putting on the nearest clothes before tying the robe around myself as I hurry to the door, hoping it's not Amanda... or my mom.

Running a hand over my wild bed hair in a vain attempt at smoothening it, I stop in front of the door. I inhale sharply and open it.

Mason's annoyed face freezes me. "Where the hell where were you? I've been knocking since forever," he grumbles.

I roll my eyes and plant my palm on my hip. "I was sleeping. What do you want?" I demand, drumming my fingers on the doorknob.

He tries to walk into the room, but I stand in his way and cross my arms before leaning to the doorframe.

Mason squints at me. "Someone's in the room?"

I scoff, "No, not that it's any of your business."

He eyes me suspiciously. "You're lying... is that bastard inside?" His eyes widen, nostrils flaring, and he attempts to charge into the room, but I press my palm flat against his chest, stopping him. "What do you want Mason?"

He glowers at me, waving his index finger at me. "If-"

"Mason, seriously," I cut him off harshly. For a beat, we glare at each other before he sighs and runs his hand through his hair.

"I don't understand why you let him hurt you." He crosses his arms in front of his chest.

I purse my lips and raise an eyebrow.

He rolls his eyes and his tense posture slowly loosens up as he shoves his hands into his pockets. "Good news, the loan from the bank has been transferred to my account."

An instant smile spreads across my face before I narrow my eyes. "Good news?" I echo. "Is there supposed to be bad news too?"

He grimly nods. "Benjamin didn't go to the station to sign the usual papers he has to, and neither did he today."

I gape at him, not able to bring myself to perceive the meaning of his words.

"He's not in his house or any of the houses he has," he goes on.

I shake my head. "No," I weakly whisper.

"Yeah, he has disappeared. Benjamin is officially on the run."

I gasp and press my palm to my lips.

"Mom was suggesting to accept the protection the cops are offering because he has nothing to lose at this point and it makes him even more dangerous."

"Shit."

"Yeah," He solemnly agrees. Mason expels a sharp blow of air before sternly looking at me. "Get that bastard out of your room before anyone sees you with him, and I swear to God if he one more time shows up anywhere near you-"

"Fine!" I sharply interrupt him. "Go now." I don't wait for his answer and close the door, rubbing my face and plodding back to the bed and plopping down on it.

Spencer is fully clothed and, on his feet, as I plant my elbows on my knees and rest my head on my palms.

"Benjamin ran away," I mumble.

Spencer sighs and sits next to me, tucking my wayward hair behind my ear. "I heard," he softly says. I look up at him and he grabs my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

All too suddenly the heaviness lifts up as the warmth of his hand seeps into me and I gaze into his beautiful eyes.

"But it's not your problem anymore. I get it you're worried, but now it's the police's responsibility. Let them handle it and don't get yourself mixed with these things."

I bite my bottom lip and nod, averting my gaze to the floor. "I just hope he doesn't hurt Mom or Mason," I weakly say.

"He can't," he confidently reassures me.

I lean into him and close my eyes, inhaling deeply, filling my senses to the brim from Spencer, allowing myself to accept his assuring words.

He gently rubs my arm as I cling to his shirt, keeping my head on the crook of his neck. "They'll be here till tomorrow evening, and there's no way for him to come all the way to Italy. And when they return, I'm sure proper security will be assigned for them."

I nod, letting go of the worry and enjoying the simple feeling of his fingers tenderly gliding up and down the length of my arm.

Long moments of silence go by.

"Today's the day," I breathe out.

"I know," he murmurs against the top of my head, his arms tensing around me and holding me closer to him.

I should tell him to leave but I can't bring myself to do that.

The contract is wrong, but now I have no way of going back. Mason has got the loan and if I back out now, there's no way we can pay both for the loan and the money for ending the deal. Bankruptcy will be unavoidable.

No, I can't do that.

With great effort, and using my entire willpower, I muster up the courage to announce, "You should leave, others will be coming soon."

He nods but doesn't let go immediately.

When he pulls away and stands up it's like my heart is being ripped out of my chest and the further he goes, the gashes in my heart deepen until he quietly leaves the room, taking my heart and soul with him.

A single tear slides down my cheek as I stare at the wall where he disappeared behind it.

I don't know for how long I sit like that, my body crumbling, my lungs burning, every fucking inch of me hurting until Savannah bursts into my room and ushers me to the bathroom.

Once I'm done showering and step out into the room, the wedding dress—my dress—lies on bed. They have moved around the vanity table and placed it where the round stand was planted with the gigantic vase that Spencer broke the other night.

Around me, is a flurry of movements, Mom and Savannah are in constant motion, as the makeup artists work on me. Though nothing registers in my mind as I remain dazed and numb.

I don't want to think for one moment. Because I know, the second I break free from my frozen state, I'll start thinking about Spencer and it'll shatter me. I'm scared to let my mind wander freely in case it ventures to imagine how things would have been different if it was Spencer instead of Kristian.

Too soon, the makeup artists wrap up their work. I can't bring myself to look in the mirror, but I have to, and I have to plaster a smile and thank them... and I have to go through this wedding—my wedding.

It all feels surreal. The makeup artists leave, the room becomes vacant save for me and Mom. I drop my gaze to my fidgeting fingers resting on my lap, over the white silk robe.

Mom's comforting palms lay on my shoulders. "Gracie," she softly calls.

With a moment of hesitance, I look up, meeting her gaze through the mirror's reflection.

A sad smile tugs the corners of her lips. "You look beautiful."

The back of my throat tightens painfully and feebly nod.

Tears glisten in her eyes as she leans down, bringing her face next to mine. "But I don't think I can say your father would've been happy to see you like this," she says, her voice wavering.

I press my lips together to hide their quiver and rapidly blink away the forming tears.

She sighs and rounds my chair, coming next to me, and lowers herself to my eye level. "Gracie, sweetie, it's not too late. We'll find a way to work things out. If you don't want to, then don't do this."

I avert my eyes and she caresses my cheek.

"Mason told me Spencer was in your room this morning."

Surprised, I glance at her, her expression unreadable. "I love him, Mom," I quaver.

Her features soften and she holds my hands. "I know."

"He loves me too," I add in a broken voice.

Her eyes widen with astonishment.

"He told me himself," I explain, my voice quivering. "Last night."

Bewilderment crosses her eyes before she presses her lips to a thin line, catching on to the meaning. "Gracie, you're making things harder for yourself, you shouldn't have spent the night with him if you wanted to follow through with the contract."

"I know."

She sighs and I look away.

"Then what's stopping you?" she quietly asks.

I lift a shoulder, avoiding her scrutiny. Everything. Benjamin is on the loos, we have to be at our strongest, and I have to make sure we can easily provide security for ourselves, especially for Mom and Mason. On top of that, the threat of bankruptcy hangs like a goddamn blade hanging over our heads.

She releases a sharp blow of air. "You know I don't approve of the way things have been happening between you and Spencer, but I believe you're old enough to recognize what's right, and good or bad for you-"

"Mom, it's not going to happen," I interrupt her and shake my head. "It can't."

"Why?"

I open my mouth to answer her, but a knock on the door halts me. My heart skips a beat only to sink when the door opens and Savannah peeks inside.

"There's a slight complication, can you please come?" she shyly asks.

Mom glances at me and I force a reassuring smile. Reluctantly she nods and straightens herself, following Savannah and leaving me alone in the room.

I gaze at my reflection. Perfectly pink painted lips and light smoky eye shadow. My hair is in an updo with a few carefully curled strands hanging around my face. My palms grow clammy, nerves making me jittery.

Everything is about to change in a matter of a few hours.

I draw in a deep shaky breath.

Another knock gives me a pause and with a frown, I turn to the door as it cracks open.

This time, my heart flips as Spencer slowly comes into view.

Standing in the middle of the doorway, with one hand on the doorknob, he asks, "Do you have a minute?"

❦ ♥︎ ❦

Sorry this chap was slow, but the following 2 are going to be dramatic =)

I hope you enjoyed it (vote if you did) and comment your thoughts! =)

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. My laptop's battery died and none of my works were saved, so this entire chapter was gone (along with my other stories' chapters :')) and I had to rewrite it, kinda ruined all of my plans smh. Anyway, I'll try to upload the next chapter in a couple of hours.

Thanks for reading!

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ♡