Chapter 7.1
Nicolas‘ face darkened, but his infuriating smirk remained firmly in place.
“Of course, I’ll sit back and watch this little show you’re putting on…” he said mockingly before leaving, Annette trailing behind him like a shadow.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Lyle was by my side, his fingers gently brushing the faint red marks on my neck.
“I’m so sorry I got here late,” he said, his voice heavy with guilt. “The security guards mentioned a strange woman lingering outside your dressing room. I should’ve given them clearer instructions. and prepared for anything. If I had, this wouldn’t have happened.”
He blamed himself and his sincerity touched me deeply. Without thinking, I shook my head, cupped his face and kissed. him.
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When our lips parted, embarrassment rushed over me like a tidal wave. My checks burned as I stepped back.
“We…um, we should get ready,” I stammered, avoiding his eyes. “The wedding s about to start. Why don’t you go wash your hands? I’ll need to touch up my makeup and cover this…” I gestured to the marks on my neck, my gaze darting anywhere but at him.
Lyle blinked, clearly taken aback, but his cars turned an adorable shade of pink as he nodded.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you in the main hall,” he murmured.
When I finally stepped into the banquet hall, I was stunned. The place was packed -every seat filled with faces I barely recognized.
The soft lighting bathed me in a warm glow as all eyes turned toward me. My heart pounded against my ribs and I struggled to
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steady my nerves.
Walking down the aisle, hand in hand with my uncle who stood in for my father, I felt the weight of everyone’s gaze. Uncle leaned close and whispered, “You know, between Nicolas and Lyle, we all think you’ve made the better choice.”
His words eased the tension in my chest and when I finally reached Lyle, a flutter of warmth bloomed in my heart. He looked breathtaking in his white suit, his expression a mix of pride and tenderness.
As we took each other’s hands, I leaned in, lowering my voice.
“Oh my god, there so many people here,” I whispered, my eyes scanning the crowd.
When I’d married Nicolas, the guest list hadn’t been this extensive.
“Yeah, that‘ s um…” Lyle cleared his throat awkwardly, his ears turning red again. “They are my business partners. Some others are employees… and, well, a
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few are friends of mine. And yours of course,” he added sheepishly.
“And you invited everybody? I mean, do you even know them?” I gave his arm a playful squeeze.
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Chapter 72
Chapter 7.2
He gave me a slightly guilty look.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to let them to know that I’m marrying you, Ro” he admitted, his boyish sincerity disarming me and I tried hard not to chuckle.
As we made our way to the front, the ceremony began and I tried to keep my focus on Lyle. But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Nicolas sitting in the farthest. corner of the room. He’d managed to clean up his face–the traces of blood on the edge of his cheek were gone and he didn’t look as disheveled as he had a few minutes ago. But the glint in his eyes was sharp and menacing..
Annette sat beside him, practically vibrating with barely contained glee.
A flicker of unease crept over me. Lyle must‘ ve noticed because he gave a quiet laugh, leaning close enough for only me to
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hear.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice. steady and reassuring. “He won’t dare cause any trouble.”
I followed his gaze and saw that Nicolas had been strategically placed at the very edge of the room, with several of the Kent’s long–time bodyguards stationed nearby. Only then did I relax.
The officiant’s voice brought my attention. back to the ceremony.
“Do you, Lyle, take Rowena to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Lyle‘ s gaze held mine, steady and
overflowing with emotion.
“I do,” he said, his voice rich with
conviction.
“And do you, Rowena, take Lyle to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
My throat tightened, but my voice was clear and sure as I answered, “I do.”
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The officiant grinned. “By the power
vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss-”
The rest of his words were drowned out by cheers and applause. My face burned, but I couldn’t look away from Lyle.
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear as he murmured, “May
I…?”
To everyone else, it looked like we were already kissing. The crowd roared their approval, their enthusiasm filling the air.
Before I could respond, a commotion from the corner of the room broke the moment.
All heads turned toward the source of the
noise, but the space where Nicolas and Annette had been sitting was now empty. The table had been knocked askew, the plates and glasses rattled out of place.
The palpable tension that had lingered in the air dissipated. The weight of Nicolas‘ venomous stare was gone. I turned back to
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Lyle, his steady presence grounding me.
“Didn’t we… already kiss just now?” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to mask the sudden vulnerability creeping over me.
The rest of the reception–more toasts, cash–stuffed red envelopes and forced smiles–became a blur. I didn’t see
Nicolas or Annette for the remainder of the evening.
But later that night, the silence of the Kent‘ s’estate was shattered by heavy, drunken pounding on the front door.
Through the muffled walls, I could faintly make out Nicolas‘ s slurred curses. He was wasted–again.
Before I could fully process the chaos outside, I was pulled back to my room, where the storm raging inside me was no match for the storm Lyle unleashed. Pinned beneath him, my body felt like water–soft, weightless and utterly at his
