Margaret's pov
The letter trembled in my hands.Alexander had done this without asking or even a simple warning. He is practically trying yanked me back into the very cage I had spent six years escaping.
My chest tightened until breathing hurt. I folded the paper,shoved it into the envelope and marched downstairs before I could talk myself out of it.
The house was already buzzing with pre-wedding energy with staff carrying flower arrangements, caterers setting up tables on the lawn and the faint sound of string quartet practicing somewhere outside.
I spotted him on the back patio, standing with a coffee cup in his hand.
"Alexander," I said with a sharp voice which drew the attention of a few staff members to us but I didn't care. "We need to talk."
"Margaret," he said smoothly, setting the coffee down. "Good morning."
"Don't 'good morning' me." I kept my voice hushed, stepping closer so only he could hear. "You transferred me to Lintertown? Did Laura tell you to do this?"
He glanced around once, making sure no one was within earshot, then turned back to me. "Not here Margaret"
"Don't shut me down" I hissed. "You can't just move me across the state like I'm office furniture. I have a life in Newville.You don't get to decide—"
"I said I'll explain later," he cut in. His eyes held mine in. "Today is Laura's day and guests will soon be arriving.This isn't the time."
"Laura's day?" I laughed bitterly. "And what about my life that you're trying to tear apart?"
He stepped closer that I could feel his breath on my face. "We'll talk about this later. Now let me be please."
Before I could fire back, he picked up his cup and walked back into the house.
I stood there with my fists clenched,the helplessness warring inside me. Angrily,I slipped around the side of the house to a quiet corner near the rose bushes, far from the growing noise of arriving family and early guests. I pulled out my phone and dialed Cielin.
She picked up on the first ring. "Mags.Are you okay? Your text last night sounded bad."
"I'm not okay," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I was alone. "Cielin, Alexander transferred me. He sent a letter this morning moving me to a new satellite office here in Lintertown. Effective tuesday.."
There was a stunned silence on the other end. Then Cielin exploded. "He what?! That controlling bastard. Mags, that's insane. You left that town for a reason and now your boss who's also marrying your stepsister is dragging you back? I think you should quit right now. Pack your stuff and tell them to shove the job up their ass."
I closed my eyes, leaning against the rough stone wall. "It's not that simple Ceilin. We're talking about Kessler & Hale. Walking away looks like abandonment. It could tank my career and the letter came from him directly."
"Exactly! He's playing some twisted game. You said he followed you into your room last night. That should tell you all you need to know. I hope you're not thinking of going back home Margaret?Remember what you told me about the nights Vivian locked you out and the way Laura took credit for everything you achieved while your dad just looked away. Don't let them pull you back into that hell."
Her words hit like fresh wounds. "I know. God, I know. But… I don't know what to do yet. Part of me wants to march in there and quit in front of everyone while the other part is terrified I'll lose everything I built."
Cielin sighed. "Well you still have time. You can take till Tuesday to decide what you're going to do. There is no need for rush,okay?"
"Sure. I'll just wait and see how the weekend goes" I whispered. "Thanks, Cielin. I love you."
"Love you more Mags."
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.
The rest of the day blurred into a haze of avoidance. Alexander disappeared to "get ready" with whatever groomsmen he had.
I stayed out of sight, helping with minor tasks only when Vivian's sharp eyes found me, then retreating to corners or the upstairs hallway whenever Laura's laughter rang out. Every time I caught a glimpse of my stepsister in her pre-wedding glow,I felt the old familiar twist of being invisible again. The lesser sister and the one who didn't belong.
By late afternoon,all the guests began arriving in sleek cars and designer outfits.
The backyard had been transformed into a fairy-tale setting with white chairs lined up on the lawn, a flower arch heavy with roses and ivy and string lights already twinkling even though the sun was still high. I slipped into a simple navy dress I'd brought and took my assigned seat.
Of course it was at the very back row, tucked behind a large floral arrangement where I'd barely be visible in photos. Out of sight, out of mind. Just like always.
The ceremony began with soft music and murmured excitement. Laura walked down the aisle on Dad's arm, radiant in a custom gown that probably cost more than my law school tuition. Alexander stood at the front, tall and devastating in a black tuxedo, his expression perfectly composed. When Laura reached him, he took her hand and they exchanged vows.
I sat rigid in my chair, nails digging into my palms as I forced myself not to look away.
When the officiant pronounced them husband and wife and they kissed,the guests erupted in applause while so I clapped along mechanically.
When everyone dispersed into the reception area,I grabbed a full bottle of champagne from one of the passing trays and slipped upstairs before anyone could stop me.
I shut my bedroom door behind me and twisted the cap off the bottle.
The first long swallow burned going down.By the third, the edges of the room started to blur nicely.
I sank onto the floor beside the bed with my back against the wall and let the memories I usually kept locked away come flooding in.
Mom's funeral when I was twelve with Vivian already moving in and telling me not to cry because it upset Laura. Laura's sweet smiles in public and the way she'd "accidentally" spill juice on my school projects. Years of being the outsider in my own home while working two jobs in high school just to afford application fees for college,promising myself I'd never come back.
The alcohol made the pain feel distant so I took another swig, laughing bitterly at how perfectly the universe had aligned to drag me right back into it.
I didn't hear the door open at first. The room was spinning gently, the bottle half empty in my lap.
Then Alexander was there staggering slightly with his tux jacket gone and shirt unbuttoned at the collar.
"Margaret," he said with a rough voice.
I tried to stand, but the floor tilted. "What are you doing here? Please get out. I don't want any trouble."
He didn't leave. Instead, he closed the door behind him and crossed the space in unsteady steps until he was right in front of me.
"You've been avoiding me all day," he murmured. His breath smelled of whiskey and champagne. "I told you I'd explain later."
Before I could push him away, his mouth was on mine.
The kiss was desperate and outrightly messy. Heat exploded through the alcohol haze.One of his hands slid into my hair while the other tilted my head back.
I shoved at his chest weakly. "Alexander… stop Alexander.This is wrong"
He pulled back just enough to look at me. "Nothing about wanting you feels wrong tonight."
I tried to protest again, but his mouth claimed mine once more, deeper this time. My resistance crumbled as he groaned against my lips, the sound sending a shiver through me.
His hands moved,sliding down my sides and gripped my hips, lifting me onto the bed.
Clothes came off in a haze of fumbling fingers and whispered curses. My dress pooled on the floor while I pulled off his shirt.
He was about to lift me up when the door swung open.
"What the fuck Margaret?"