Page 28 of Fractured
“Ready?” He looks at me with a huge smile on his face.
I clap his shoulder and squeeze lightly, “I am. I promise I’ll do my best, Sebastian.”
“That’s all I ask, brother. And I’m here if you ever need more than advice on Harry Potter. Come on. Let's get going.”
I blow out a breath as we head out of the hotel and climb into the car on our way to the church. I look out the window as the boys tease and joke with each other. That constricted feeling is getting tighter around my ribs, and I rub my hands on my knees.
All too soon we are out of the car, I’m rushed into a side room, given a drink and a toast, and before I know it, I’m standing in front of hundreds of people at the altar, my brothers at my side, my chest so tight I can hardly breathe.
My eyes are transfixed on the far door, waiting for her to cometo me.
The music starts and the doors open, revealing Anna. She’s a sparkling little sprite in her silk champagne spaghetti strap dress. She smiles at Danny, then beans a bright smile across the room at Carlos, who is on either side of the church as our security.
Anna’s cheeks turn a shade of pink to match the blush of her dress as she makes her way toward the altar. Once she reaches me, she glares at me as she passes, and then takes her spot once again, turning to the church and smiling at the crowd.
What the hell? What did I do now? Everyone else got a smile and I get a glare.
Rebekah is next, and she walks like a queen, elegant and graceful as she stands beside Anna. My heart stops, and I hold my breath as Isabella appears beside her father.
Her lace veil hides her face, but her dress is stunning. The lace and silk hug her curves; the train fishtails out behind her as she carefully walks beside her father. Her long lace sleeves cover her arms, hooking around her middle finger, and the collar goes up the back of her neck, leaving the front open to reveal the soft swell of her breasts.
They styled her hair in a beautiful long braid shimmering with pearls. I texted Isabella’s hairdresser and asked her to put her hair up. But that wasn’t what I was striving for. I knew if she could fight me on anything, she would. So her hair is down, exactly how I like it. As her father extends his hand and lifts the veil finally revealing her to me and I smile.
Christ, she’s beautiful. Her makeup is simple but exquisite, bringing out her elusive features. That pouty pink upper lip, her tiny pert little nose.
But her eyes.
Her sorrowful and distant eyes make my heart sink as I lookinto them and plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. She won't meet my gaze, her face slightly hidden as she turns it away and tries to hide it. But I can see it clearly in those jade-green spheres--the anguish and trepidation as they look everywhere but at me. I have to look away as I hold her trembling hand, walking us up to the altar to stand before the priest.
She is standing beside me, but she might as well be a thousand miles away. I face her, ready to say my part, taking both her hands in mine, but she stares blankly ahead like she is unaware of what is happening.
Tugging her towards me, somewhat bending low to draw her attention, she stares straight ahead, focusing on the priest. I stand up straight and put my hand on her shoulder, making her face me taking hold of her icy hand once more as she stares at the lapels of my suit.
I say my part, and the vows penetrate my heart as they leave my mouth. I promise to love, honor, and cherish her as long as I live, and as I look at this devastated girl before me, I mean every word as I slide the ring onto her finger. I rub her knuckle gently with my thumb, and I realize I never even gave her an engagement ring to prove I was serious about us.
I’m such a dick.
She looks down at her finger, and a tear rolls down her cheek. Christ, I can feel the torment emanating from her as she flexes her fingers, testing the weight of it on her hand. Anna steps up and takes her flowers, looking at Isabella with unease on her face.
I take her other hand and place my wedding band in hers. She looks at it laying flat on her tiny palm. Another tear slowly rolls down her face, dripping off her trembling chin to land on the cold metal band in her hand. Isabella flexes her fingers closed and then opens them again, the tears now glistening on the metal.
The priest speaks, and she repeats each word as she looks at him. She trembles as she pushes the damp ring on my finger. Another tear falls as she stares at the platinum band on my finger that signifies I am hers and she is mine. I slowly reach up and wipe away the tear tracking down her cheek with my thumb and hold her hand softly. When she finally looks up at me, I’m gutted.
There is no life or tenderness behind her eyes. More tears make light tracks through her makeup as it slowly rolls down her cheek as if she’s in mourning. And God help me, I just want to hold her at this moment, kiss her and take that pain in her eyes away.
"You may kiss your bride."
It is final, we are wed and she is mine. I lean in to kiss her sweet trembling lips, and she turns at the last minute to kiss the corner of my mouth. She can’t even bring herself to touch her lips to mine. That constricting pain in my chest turns to indignation, and it simmers to the surface.
I’m not perfect. I never said I was. In fact, I outright told her I’m an asshole. I wrap my arm around her and turn us to face the crowded church as they clap for the happy couple. I lean down and kiss her ear.
“Fucken smile, Isabella.” I remind her.
I walk her slowly past everyone as they shake my hand, smiling at us. We reach the door and are escorted to the side room to wait while everyone files outside to throw whatever the hell they throw at us as we get in the car to head back to the hotel.
I close the door and lean up against it, watching her. Isabella walks over to a chair, taking her seat facing away from me, her back straight, her flowers held tightly in her lap. She just stares out the window. As pissed off as I am, I can’t help but think she really does look lovely.
I point at her and harshly tell her, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head right now, but you need to get your shit together unless you plan on spending the entire wedding bawling."
