Page 29 of The Illusion
My mother's head snaps up. "With Dean?"
"Yes," Evangelina says briskly. "Since her father isn't here and you've declined to walk Julie down the aisle, Mr. Stevens has graciously offered to give the bride away."
My mother's face goes pale. For a moment, I think she's going to say something. Offer to do it herself. Step up. But she doesn't. She just nods and lets one of the ushers guide her toward the entrance. I clutch my bouquet as I watch her go, feeling something cold and hollow settle in my chest. I wish she'd stayed.
Jamie squeezes my hand. "Jules?—"
"It's fine," I say quickly. "It's fine. Let's just get through this."
She doesn't look convinced, but she doesn't argue.
Evangelina ushers us into the lobby of the church where Dean is waiting. He's wearing a custom tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled, his expression calm and composed. When he sees me, he nods approvingly.
"You look lovely, Julie," he says.
"Thank you."
Evangelina adjusts my train one last time. Then she says something into her headset and opens the door to the sanctuary. A moment later, the processional begins.
Jamie gives me one last look like,Are you sure,and I nod. I'm very sure I have no fucking choice. She walks through the doors, and I'm left alone with Dean. He offers me his arm. I take it because I have to.
"Nervous?" he asks.
"Yes."
"That's normal." He glances at me, and for the first time since I've known him, his expression softens just a fraction. "You know, Julie, I've watched you these past few months. The way you've handled the wedding planning, the way you've supported Asher, the way you work at your business. Even dealing with me. You're a remarkable young woman."
I blink, startled. "I…Thank you."
"I assume today is hard for you because your father should be here," he says quietly. "He should be the one walking you down this aisle. And the fact that he's not—that's on him. Not you. You would have made any father proud."
My throat tightens. I don't know what to say. Dean has been cold, controlling, dismissive. He's trapped me financially, overridden every decision I've tried to make, and treated me like an accessory to his son's life. But in this moment, he said the one thing I didn't know I needed to hear.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He pats my hand. "Let's get you married to my idiot son."
Anddddd moment over. The doors open. The church is filled to capacity. I spot some of my friends and neighbors, but mostly, it's all about Asher’s world. I recognize the faces from Dean's company, Ancre, who have been at all of the pre-wedding events. There are also politicians, tech moguls, people whose names I've seen in news stories. It feels like a circus.
At the front, standing beneath an arch of white flowers, is Asher. His eyes find mine, then flick to Dean, then back. His jaw tightens like he's holding something in. He blinks rapidly, and I watch his shoulders drop like he's been holding them up until this exact second. Like he was scared I wouldn't show up.
If he only knew.
Dean and I start down the aisle. The music swells. Every eye in the room is on us. I notice Ryan standing beside him as best man. He's wearing a tuxedo, his hands clasped in front of him, his expression unreadable. It's surreal to see him there—my former neighbor who turned out to be Asher's best friend. For some reason, it helps to focus on him, so I do. After a minute, I stop because I know I'm supposed to be looking at Asher.
We reach the altar. Dean places my hand in Asher's, then steps back. Asher's hand is clammy and his grip is almost too tight. But when I look up at him, he's smiling through tears.
"I'm so relieved this is really happening," he whispers.
I melt a little at that because it’s so sweet. "You're crying," I whisper back.
"I know." He laughs softly, wiping his eyes with his free hand.
The officiant begins speaking, but I barely hear him. I'm too focused on Asher. On the way he's looking at me like I'm the only person in the world. On the way his hand tightens around mine when the officiant asks if he takes me to be his wife.
"I do," Asher says, his voice steady and sure.
And when it's my turn, I say it too.
