The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 28

**One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**
**Chapter 28: The Bride**

With Venus steadfastly at her side, June felt the storm within her begin to settle, albeit slightly. The chaos of the morning had left her frazzled, but the presence of her friend provided a small measure of comfort amidst the overwhelming anxiety.

The moment had arrived.

As Beata caught sight of her daughter stepping out in the wedding gown, her face broke into a wide, almost gleeful grin. “Oh my goodness! Look at you! For once, you actually look… well, quite decent,” she exclaimed, her tone laced with surprise. “I must admit, that dress really does suit you. You look kind of pretty.”

“Sweetheart,” Beata continued, her voice softening, “when you get there, please, for the sake of everyone, try not to throw a tantrum or shed any tears. I promise, once this ceremony is over, you won’t have to endure anything like this ever again.”

June gazed at her mother’s face, familiar yet distant, and felt the last flickers of hope within her extinguish like a dying flame.

Her heart felt as if it had turned to ice.

They were fully aware of the dangers she faced, the likelihood that she might not return alive, yet for the price of one million dollars, they were prepared to send her into the jaws of death.

Hypocrites—both of them.

“Mom, Dad,” June spoke softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “I’ve known since childhood that your love for me was never genuine. I tried so hard to be the perfect daughter, to make you proud, hoping that one day you’d show me even a morsel of care. But it no longer matters. I’m getting married now. After tonight, I will belong to someone else’s family.”

Kenelm scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Good. Once you’re there, you’d better behave yourself. They won’t be as lenient with you as we have been.”

June turned her gaze toward Toby, who was sprawled lazily on the couch, his expression a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. Remembering the secret that Venus had confided in her earlier, a faint smile crept onto her lips. “Oh, absolutely,” she replied, her tone light. “After this, Toby can bring his boyfriend home to take care of you both. At least I can rest easy knowing you’ll have some help.”

Toby shot up from the couch, fury etched across his face. “June! What the hell are you talking about?!”

Kenelm’s face flushed crimson as he roared, “You ungrateful brat! You’re about to leave this house, and you still have the audacity to slander your brother like that? Are you looking to stir up trouble?”

June merely shrugged, a calm smile still gracing her lips. “If you don’t believe me, just check his phone. You’ll find out for yourself. Anyway—Mom, Dad, I genuinely wish you both a long and peaceful life.”

As she turned to leave, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of justice blooming within her as she watched her parents’ faces contort with anger.

Furious, Toby lunged at her, ready to retaliate.

But Venus, ever the quick thinker, pointed behind him with a smile. “Look! Your dad just took your phone.”

“What? Dad!” Toby’s voice cracked as he spun around, his fury now directed at Kenelm. He dove toward his father like a wild animal, desperate to reclaim his phone.

Meanwhile, Venus and June stepped outside, where a man clad in a somber black mourning suit awaited them beside an elegant black car.

The driver escorted them inside, and June’s heart sank as she took in the scene before her. The living room had been transformed into a funeral parlor.

Wreaths adorned every corner of the room, and a portrait of a smiling man hung ominously on the wall, casting an eerie shadow over the proceedings.

There was no furniture—only two black caskets stood solemnly in the center.

One casket held a prepared body, while the other remained empty, clearly awaiting the bride.

June had never encountered anything so macabre in her life. Her face drained of color, and her legs felt weak beneath her.

Following Venus’s lead, she stammered, “I suddenly need to find the bathroom. Where is it?”

Larry Sharp, the butler clad in black, gestured towards the hallway.

Without a second thought, June grabbed Venus’s hand, and they dashed toward the bathroom. Once inside, they quickly undressed and swapped clothes, a whirlwind of urgency enveloping them.

Venus slipped into the wedding dress, pulling the veil over her face with a determined look. She pressed Darcy’s business card into June’s trembling hand. “When they let you go,” she instructed, her voice firm, “don’t stop. Don’t look back. Just walk straight out and call this number. He’ll come to pick you up.”

June held the card with unsteady hands, her mind racing. She hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. “Ms. Oracle, what if we run together? We still have time.”