Changes came like torrents of rain. The house was left to Dylan by Blanche/Judy and Vaughn.

We didn't know where Judy disappeared to but hopefully she'd get the fortune in four more years. Vaughn appeared for my wedding, but he was rumored to be in England and France. He came from Belgium when Dylan finally tracked him down and called him about the wedding.

Vaughn had never stopped being sarcastic and snappy to us but I accepted it; it would be more disturbing than if he became nice all the time, anyways.

Rosalind and Leroy would come, of course, and Rosalind found a respectful young boy from her job now and they were thinking of marrying. Another surprise was that Sarah and Andrew decided to be civil and allow Rosalind freedom and me to be married.

Angel cried over the news of course, but with Connie they both said they were happy for me and glad we can actually be relatives. Scarlett teaches me things that were helpful in the dumb assistant job and her mood improved ever since her divorce to Mr.Carroll. Apparently he was domestically abusing her. You can never tell.

Claribel was on the not invite list, but only because everyone agreed. Olivia was, but a certain uncle begged Dylan into inviting her.

Dylan had healed a little. The skin was still scabbed, and he had discoloring around the neck. It was almost as though he was a snake and had skin to shed.

I felt his skin a few nights as we kissed and cuddled in bed.

"When you were first burnt I thought it'd never heal," I said. "Didn't the phantom look grotesque because he was burned, too? Or was he electrically burnt?"

"Sometimes you get curious about the strangest things. The doctor said I'm perfectly fine. It has been a year, I'd be depressed if I wasn't," Dylan laughed.

"But now you're so handsome!" I touched his smooth and yet kind of empty skin that seemed abnormal. "You'd catch the eye of all the girls again!"

"I'm marrying you in a week, Rose!" He ran his hands to my waist and then it was on my back. I was pressed up against him and as always, doing most of the talking because I couldn't exactly feel him up. Why couldn't I do it? Oh, because Auguste fed me that nonsense. But I was working with dirty old men back then, it was different.

I hugged Dylan and dug my face into his chest.

"Did your chest get better? I saw some scabs that hadn't peeled on your neck," I asked.

"Well, it's feeling strange, so let's leave the places alone and wait for them to peel off naturally," Dylan said. "Isn't it sad Ruby and Calvin will be leaving?"

"Aw, don't remind me. That's after the wedding, so I have a week to spend with them." I stopped. "No, I can't, because the plans are taking priority so we have to focus on that."

"The invites were sent, the dress chosen, bouquet and flowers chosen, church booked, after wedding buffet booked, catering chosen—what else is left?" he asked.

"I don't know, but hopefully nothing," I sighed.

"Then wait for it. I hope it's the best day of our lives."

Dylan closed his eyes and I hugged him, feeling the same coldness I'd felt all month. It was May and yet cold. Maybe it was the stress and pressure of everything, but I still felt something missing.

Was it because I didn't want to actually settle down and be a boring housewife who only tended to small things? We kept Irene after Gwendoline and Julie left. The rooms weren't cleaning themselves so I had to help sometimes.

We didn't have a great number of money and most of the time I saved my own payments. Dylan paid for all the wedding with what Vaughn left him including the house, and lastly, Dylan was working despite his burns. He was a manager at a huge shoe boutique, imagine, because they were "invested" in by Auguste.

No. It's fine. 

I had to marry Dylan. Be the first living girl he will give his flowers to...

***

It was a warm May day on my wedding and everywhere I went I saw blooming flowers. It was early morning when I went to the church with the girls because dressing up and makeup took a long time. The church was also perfect like a fairy tale, and when I thought of stories with castles and marriages, I'd imagine it to be set there.

The windows reached the ceilings and inside the pew wood was hot under the sunlight. I walked around before Irene told us to start already.

The bridal suite was just a room, but very big and fancy room with cute pink wallpaper and the size of a parlor room. It had almost everything, hangers, makeup, full body mirror, and we all bustled around to dress up and help one another with their dresses and hair. I had white shoes now made of satin, heeled, and with straps at the ankle tied to a bow.

Rosalind, Angel, Ruby, and Connie were my bridesmaids and Irene was thankfully always there. She had became a great friend but refused being a bridesmaid.

Angel designed my dress but both her and Irene had made it. It was originally a simple with dress with lace but they had changed it so it was snatched at the waist, had a beaded bodice, and a girdle stitched in.

I lost a bit of weight to fit and was eager to get it back the reception. My veil was long and reached my waist. My black hair was strewn with pearls and braided back modestly. The seats and table outside were all adorned simply decorated with roses, the dumb pun.

"The sun is out today, and so bright!" Ruby said as she walked in, she was the latest to arrive and everyone ran to her and handed her bridesmaid dress. Ruby laughed and held out a small bouquet of green something to me.

Four leafed clovers.

I held the clovers, them reminding me of my original, ordinary family. Not of roses, but just clovers. Poor and simple.

"I wish you not only luck, but all the happiness Dylan and Calvin—and I, could offer as part of your new family. Know I will always love you." Ruby gave me a tight hug, sniffling as she pulled away.

She had grown, but she still preferred simply shoes without heels and hair not in fancy coiffures. She was beautiful, though, and I wished her well in her new house with Calvin. Calvin paid for the expenses but was also busy with his new job all year so Ruby and I had dreams for her new, independent life.

I thought of my real father, mother, and sister. I hoped dad would be happy for me. He'd definitely cry if he knew I was getting married. I knew I was his favorite child.

"Oh no, I'm crying," I said, finding it hard to swallow and hold my tears.

"Again?" Angel cried. "God, I can only fix your makeup so many times before it starts to—"

"I'll fix it," Irene offered, and I was glad. Angel's avant-garde model look wasn't for me. Instead, Angel ushered Ruby to get dressed already, Connie telling her to breath, it wasn't even her wedding.

"Can you do it like you did when I went to the tea party with the Whitecross and Blackwood families?" I asked Irene.

"Yes, so stop crying." Irene rolled her eyes. "Know I only have so much patience. Also, change of plans, Mister Andrew Blackwood would be walking you down the aisle."

I was going to walk with Calvin but I guess it made more sense to have my fake father walk me down.

I was used to being with the Blackwoods for pretend, but by now Rosalind and I felt so much like sister that even walking to Andrew made me cry. He smiled and his eyes were warm although I wasn't even his daughter.

"The priest will make a long and boring speech," he said, squeezing my hand, "so please use the restroom if you haven't."

"Oh no," I groaned. "Give me five minutes, Andrew."

I ran down the aisle of the church we were holding it in. Most of the bridal aisle was filled with people running back and forth with more decorations because it was connected to the back door. I took one look and decided it wasn't worth the bustling and went to the male restroom.

It was empty and I quickly made way to the male bathroom. I finished using it, and it was kept clean and my dress and veil were both safe. The male aisle only had two open rooms and I snuck a peek, knowing Dylan left already.

I walked into the groom's room and shrieked, covering my own scream with a hand.

What was that?

Something brown and floppy was on the table. It was the size of a hand and yet it was shaped like something that wasn't exactly a hand. I crept closer. It was even flesh colored. It was familiar.

Reaching out I poke a finger at it.

It felt like slime, or like wet cookie dough. It was sticky, too, and I had to unstuck my finger from it.

No way. I looked closely. There were two sides. I turned it around and saw it.

Oh.

What a surprise.

What an ugly surprise.

I went back to my wedding and smiling, I grabbed Andrew's hand. He walked me over to Dylan, who greeted me a smile and whispered something about me being so beautiful.

The new tuxedo on him was astounding and reminded me of the family gatherings we would have when he would get into such formal wear. I loved the black on him. I was stunned at the colorful church when I could see the images of saints on the stained glass. My bridesmaids were far and stood far away. They were in pink, a color I let them choose.

Even the guests were in many colors and smiling whether or not they knew my past or Dylan's crime. Vaughn was there, as well as Sal, and most of all, Rosalind.

When the priest began speaking I whispered.

"I should've known, Dylan. Once a liar, always a liar."

The two of us stood straight, holding hands. To everyone, we looked like lovers, happy on their wedding day as most were.

"I saw it. That scar was fake," I hissed. "How long were you wearing it?"

"Oh Rose. My Irene Adler. You're smart. Always catching me off guard last minute." Dylan's hands intertwined with mine. "My burns were long gone, but then you'd leave, wouldn't you?"

"No," I denied. "Not necessarily."

"No, you would. You'd testify against me." Dylan kept his smile, cocky at winning the game in the end. "Didn't you feel as though I was too ugly to love?"

"No," I lied again. He knew everything about me

"Well, if you did think that, I believe you would've pitied me and maybe fell in love."

"Was it fun for you?" I whispered.

He bit in his laughter. The sun shone from the stained glass windows on his side and his face was washed with golden light, his black hair now combed back and showing his beautiful face. 

The discoloration was there, but it had long faded. I can see it now. God, how stupid was I?

"So you've been living double lives. Manager of a high end store outside, merciful man at home?" I asked. The thought made my blood boil, but I was not going to show it.

"You don't need the truth." He touched my face. "Just be happy, naive, and kind-hearted, Rose."

I suddenly remembered what Vaughn and Judy had said. Something about us suiting one another. How I was stupid to marry him.

"What if I leave you at the altar?" I threatened, my smile now dropping.

"You wouldn't."

"Why?"

The priest's speech was loud and droned on as we mastered talking without moving our lips too much and smiling and touching one another lovingly—in an act.

"I know you won't hurt me," Dylan murmured. The priest was turning to us.

"Why would you lie again? I loved you," I whispered, hurt.

"Now may the groom give a speech," the priest said.

"I would just like to tell Rosemarie here that she is the one I've always wanted. Life was all money, family relations, and sad memories until she came. She promised to be my stand-in sister, which is strange to think about because you obviously couldn't marry your sister. All I can say is I'm glad she's Rosemarie and not anyone else. She knows my deepest secrets and I know hers." Dylan beamed. "And that's why I think we can stay together."

The audience and best man and bridesmaids all made sounds of endearment although it wasn't. It just wasn't. I waited and gathered in his words.

"Now for the bride."

"Dylan, I said, now digging my nails into his palms, "all I can say is I've never felt like this with anyone else. There are painful secrets that we learn along the way, and secrets that can mean everything, like—like blackmail," I joked, the audience laughing although Dylan's smile waned. "When I met you that rainy night I was the fool, then I was still a fool—because I was in love, and you broke my heart twice but third time is the charm." More laughing.

"Lastly, I've actually wanted to share that just now it feels like, well, you were a snake who finally shed his skin." I laughed, but squeezed his hands in anger.

There was obvious confusion but Dylan was serious again, lips pressed together like he wanted to reply about something, but then the speech was done.

The priest cleared his throat. "Knowing someone's inside rather than outside is extremely important for marriage," the priest followed up and then he smiled. "So may we thank the Lord for allowing the two to meet, as they said, that rainy day. If they hadn't, or say it was a month or year later, this joyous union wouldn't come to fruition."

Now it was the serious part.

"In the name of God, Dylan de Winter, do you agree to take Rosemarie Blackwood to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish—until parted by death?" the priest asked.

"I do." There was no hesitation as Dylan smiled.

My face wasn't controllable and I feared up.

"And, in the name of God, do you, Rosemarie, take Dylan de Winter to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until parted by death?"

Leave him.

Leave him.

Leave him!

Everyone watched me. I could feel the priest hesitating to speak.

But this was it. The fairy tale I imagined. The perfect moment of my life, this enchanting devil of a man before me, these cousins and Ruby and Rosalind. People I finally cared about and an identity I've finally liked. I couldn't tear my eyes from Dylan.

I was through with acting.

I didn't want to love who I really loved.

"I—"

It's your last chance, Hazel!

No, it was no longer Hazel. It was Rosemarie.

"I do," I said.

The room lit up and I turned and sobbing, threw my bouquet.

As everyone cheered the priest smiled. "You may kiss the bride."

Dylan lifted my veil and his eyes rested on my face lovingly. He waited, and then I held his jaw and brought forth my lips.

"I hate you," I muttered to him.

"Let's leave and get ready to go to the banquet, my bride," he said instead.

We hurried off the stage and towards the back rooms once again.

"I despise you. I will make you regret this," I shouted, smacking his hand from my elbow.

"Did you not notice?" Dylan asked.

"What did I not notice?" I retorted.

"How Calvin didn't react to the skin on the table. How Vaughn knew. And there were times even Irene saw. They've all kept my lie." Dylan smiled.

"I will ruin you!" I managed to hiss.

"I'll tell you what. Calvin knows about Judy and the time I locked Judy up—he knew everything!" Dylan laughed. He touched my hair and face as though in amusement of a hysterical bride.

"No way!"

I refused to believe this. But of course the two sons agreed on it together, on finding this Blanche who their dad loved. Hughes might've been helping both of them.

"It's true," he continued. There was a figure.

We turned and Vaughn was there. His creepy demeanor had increased more during the months we didn't see him.

"I knew Calvin was in it with you, I heard from Judy only a while later," Vaughn hissed.

"You're messed up." I looked at Dylan. "If you think I can't testify against you two since evidence is gone, I'll do anything to hurt you!"

"Sure," Dylan said with a scoff. "But I've already won, Rose de Winter."

"No!" I shouted.

He reached out and he hugged me—only it was like being caged in.

"Or maybe, in your subconscious, you're in love and just wouldn't admit it. Maybe you let yourself be fooled because you wanted this ending," he whispered.

I closed my eyes and thought of the past year, all my ephemeral and yet dreamingly perfect memories. Dylan laughing. Dylan touching my hair or face. Dylan's hands. Talking about his future, our future.

Had I believed him, or had I lied to myself, and let that girl blinded by love protect him like a shield—and his knife was always in my back.

Auguste had placed the curse on Dylan, and whether Dylan did or didn't love me no longer mattered. What mattered was he was lying for as long as he could, riling up sympathy, crying crocodile tears, just to get me.

And now I was Rose de Winter.

Dylan gave me a kiss and looked at me, who didn't struggle.

"Rose, now you're mine."

T H E    E N D

Thank you for finishing The Curse of Rose de Winter!
I adored writing this story about a femme fatale with so many secrets and lies that she couldn't recognize herself in the end. And yes, Calvin was always on Dylan's side. Was Irene? That leaves it up to the reader to decide.

Auguste knew how twisted his children (and family) were, and while not innocent, he's just an easy excuse for them to use and be angry with. What was really the curse in your opinion?

Tell me if you had a favorite character or chapter!
Thank you for the support :)