Blind Spot by Sakshi C (the reader ebook TXT) 📕

That's how they framed Inessa in her own rape attempt. Maria lied that she walked in on Inessa forcing herself on Arthur. She started playing the victim when Maria caught her.

Inessa heard her accusations with a stunned expression. But what hurt her the most was the fact that her father believed Maria. That felt like a punch in her gut. She knew her relationship with her dad wasn't as strong as it used to be but she had never expected this. She shook her head in no and gestured that they were lying but his father was too blinded by his wife's lies to see her distress. 

Fuming, Maxim landed a slap on her cheek and that was the last time, he looked at her. After that, she ceased to exist for him. She became an embarrassment. He also warned everyone to not speak of it again as it could jeopardize her marriage with Andrei. 

That was the day Inessa realized her actual place in her home. She had no place. That was also the day, she started fearing sexual intimacy. 

"You look gorgeous," the woman who was doing her make-up chirped, breaking her train of thoughts. Inessa looked in the mirror and smiled merely. If only she wasn't mute, things would have been so much better. Her dad wouldn't have been hating on her. She would have lots of friends. And people would stop taking pity on her. 

Inessa nodded and bowed her head to thank her. 

Maria sauntered in with her nose stuck in the air and pulled her up by her arm. Inessa didn't resist. She was used to these manhandling. Maria had become excessively rude after that incident.

With narrowed eyes, she scanned her make-up and eventually, hummed in approval.

Inessa just stood there with her face downcast. Her confidence had taken a deep plunge after that incident. The fact that her own father didn't trust her had spread her heart into two. 

She trembled when Maria gripped her jaw harshly and glared at her. 

"One word out and you will have hell to pay," she was talking about the bruises that she had given her throughout her stay here. The woman never held back from hurting her physically.

Inessa nodded meekly. 

"Good," she tossed her face to the side and took a step back. 

"Let's go," she held her arm and started dragging her outside.

Maria wasn't happy that she was getting married into the richest family in France but she had her own plans. She was planning to capture Lavigne's elder son with this association. Anya and Danzel would be a perfect match. A wicked smile fluttered across her beautiful face. 

Maxim looked up at her before averting his gaze and walking forward. They headed towards the car. Inessa felt like crying. Even today, his father didn't bother to talk to her. She hastily wiped her eyes before tears could come out. 

One good thing that had happened after that incident was that Arthur never showed up again. 

The journey to the church was quiet. She looked out the mirror and wondered about her new life. Becoming a Lavigne is not an ordinary thing. She knew her life was going to change substantially. She was both nervous and scared. And the worst thing was that she had no one to share her feelings with. She was all alone.

She missed her Mom. 

If only you were here, Mom. Everything would have been so much better

"Ness, are you excited?" her 14-year-old brother, Louis exulted, to which Inessa smiled and gestured, "I am nervous." 

"Why? You will have so much fun there. They are so rich," he reasoned with his aglow eyes. 

"Yes, But I will miss you," Inessa told him. A broad smile floated across Louis' face. 

" Don't worry about that, sis. I've already made a plan. You go first there and then I'll come after you," he said. 

Inessa laughed at his joke. Anya also her maid of honor, gave her a weird look before rolling her eyes. She was as dolled up as the bride, even more than that. 

The car pulled up in front of the church. Inessa's heart started beating furiously as she stepped off of the car. When the bridal entry music rolled on, his dad looped his arm with hers and they started walking towards the gate. 

She wanted to speak to her dad and wanted to hear some comforting words from him but they kept on walking in silence. Her eyes welled up. 

At least talk to me today

Andrei was standing at the alter. He turned to look at her and gave her a warm smile. Her lips too stretched into a small smile. There was only so much she could fake. Her dad walked her to the alter. Andrei held her hand as she got up the stage. 

"You look gorgeous," Andrei complimented her. She smiled, baring her teeth. 

They were too comfortable with each other to feel awkward. They had already come up with an arrangement. 

Inessa was marrying him because she's afraid of sexual intimacy Andy promised that they would always be friends and Andrei was marrying her.....well, even Inessa didn't know why he was marrying her. It was still a mystery. Anyway, they had decided that they woud stay as a friend even after their wedding.

Maria's eyes started looking for Danzel Lavigne as soon as she entered the church. She huffed in disappointment when she found him nowhere.

Once the ring exchange was over, the priest declared them husband and wife and asked Andrei to kiss Inessa.

The bride's heart started to thud violently. Cold sweat broke out in her hands as she balled them into fists. Her anxiety didn't escape from Andrei. He gave her an assuring nod and moved closer. Iness nodded to him and squeezed her eyes shut whereas he lightly kissed the corner of her lips and retracted a second later. It was only after he put some distance between them, Inessa breathed in relief.   

Once the ceremony was over and Inessa officially became Mrs. Inessa Lavigne, they walked down the aisle hand in hand. To the world, they were a fairy tale couple. Friendship turned into love, but only they knew the reality.