67. Snow

Genre: Drama
Characters:  Cian, Yolanda
Prompt: 67. Snow
Word Count: 894
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: An unlikely person comes to Cian’s aide
Warnings:  Abuse
**


One week later..

Emerging from the small changing room in the last modern wedding dress Ramone had selected for her, all eyes seemed to be on her. It was a white as snow, clung to her body like a second skin, and contoured her curves with a rhinestone pattern that outlined her bust and hips. She gazed at her reflection, caring nothing about the dress or the way she looked in it but focused on the face she no longer recognized. 

Her frown was permanent, and the dark circles underneath her eyes made her look aged, tired, and as if she were seconds away from death. She’d put on weight from binge eating her pain away and felt just as terrible as she looked but tried her best to hide it in front of Ramone’s company. She had to be on her best behavior like a child afraid of being scolded, in a way, that’s what she was. Every ounce of fight left in her had been beaten out through his verbal abuse, threats to harm Will, and constant need to inflict pain on her when she felt bold enough to rebel against him. She’d quickly learned not to fight him or even part her lips to protest something he wanted. Doing such would lead her to a twisted wrist, a new bruise, or humiliating sex that gave the feeling of being dirty and cheap.

Yolanda gasped, approaching her from behind, “You look gorgeous!” She clasped her hands, gazing at Cian through the mirror, “How do you feel?”

Cian lowered her head, something she’d be taught to do to avoid questions about her change in appearance, “Like a bride.” She mumbled in a low flat tone. She smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle on the front of her dress, carefully running her hand over a sensitive spot on her ribs underneath it, a deep bruise Ramone had left on her for asking her father if he’d seen Renee.

Yolanda waited for Cian’s eyes to meet hers but it never happened. Instead, Cian continued to look down at the floor, left with her thoughts. They were no longer centered on Will. Thinking of him would induce tears and that would infuriate Ramone ten times over. “Cian?” Yolanda grabbed her arm from behind, “You look tired and stressed. Are you sure you want to have this wedding so soon?” She tried again to catch Cian’s eyes.

Cian nodded, “Ramone wants to be married on Valentines Day. In the snow. It always snows on Valentines Day.” She mumbled, again brushing away and imaginary wrinkle.

“Yes, but what do you want?” Yolanda watched her through the mirror. She’d noticed the changes in Cian and instantly became concerned. Each time she questioned Cian about it, her son would step in and label it as wedding stress or PMS but Yolanda knew better. 

She’d tried to get Cian alone on several occasions but Ramone was always there, watching her carefully, moving every time she moved.

“Here, let me help you out of this dress.” She pulled Cian close to her.

“No! I uh, it’s an easy zipper, I can get it.” Cian held her hand over the zipper trying to show Yolanda she could do it on her own but Yolanda insisted, brushing her hands out of the way to undo the long side zipper and clasps. Cian shivered as the cold air hit her ribs, lingered as Yolanda stopped and gaped at the enormous purple and green bruise extending from her ribs in the direction of her hip. 

She zipped the dress up quickly, turning her back to Ramone while pulling Cian in front of her, pretending to adjust the dress, “Ramone hits you?” She growled in a low tone thinking of how Ramone claimed he loved this girl and needed her in his life. Cian’s lower lip answered for her as she bit back the urge to cry. “Listen and you listen to me good! I’ve made a lot of mistakes when it comes to the things I let Ramone get away with. I regretted it then and to this very day I’ve never forgiven myself for it. Don’t be like me, Cian! Don’t put up with his shit until you’re knee deep in it and can’t climb out! That is a mistake that will forever haunt you, trust me! Do you want to go through with this wedding?”

Cian looked up for the first time from underneath her brows. She mouthed a quick ‘no’ then returned her gaze back to the floor. “Get out of this dress and I’ll get rid of Ramone so we can talk more. I can never take back the things in the pass but with you there is still time.” She kissed Cian’s forehead and made her way down the small set of stairs. She noticed Ramone watching Cian like a hawk and wondered if her little chat would land the poor girl in trouble once they got back to their hotel room. He’d move Cian from room to room to keep her isolated but sold everyone else a story of them wanted to feel like they were completely alone. 

“You, outside, right now!” Yolanda approached him with and apparent attitude. She’d once thought she was protecting her baby but now saw him for what he really was, a heartless animal that needed to be caged.