Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Brielle smiles at me, then whispers along my lips, “I love you too, husband.” And then, she turns and leaves me with the letter in my hands.
I’m scared to open it. I don’t want to know what my father’s last words to me would be. The idea of him writing something that would break my heart doesn’t sit well with me.
I haven’t told Brielle about the fear I had of letting him down. It’s something that was painfully obvious when I was younger. But as I got older, I hid it well. And now, I realise it’s not even noticeable anymore.
Perhaps she’s already noticed. Maybe she has seen my weaknesses and she loves me anyway. I don’t know because I never asked and if I had to be honest, I don’t want to know. If it turns out she doesn’t know about how fearful I was as a young boy, it would only cause me to push her away because I wouldn’t want her to see my truth.
Then again, she’s accepted me with both Kai and Valen. My thoughts are a jumble as I rip open the envelope and I pull out the thick vellum paper my father used to enjoy using for all his contracts. He used to handwrite everything. He always said it had more merit when it was handwritten.
Dear Jude,
You must be sitting at your desk, or perhaps you’re in the garden reading this. If it’s your wedding day already, I want to wish you all the happiness in the world. If it’s the night before, remember, to live your life without abandon. Either way, I’m sorry I can’t be there with you right now.
You may hate me, and that’s okay. I’ve come to terms with it. I wasn’t a perfect father. I did things that were questionable at the best of times, but I hope you realise why I chose Brielle for you.
You spent your life living in my shadow. I could tell you worked hard to want to please me, to make sure you didn’t disappoint me. Yes, you were fairly obvious when it came to it, but I want to say to you now, you never disappointed me.
I spent my life proud of both my sons. And when I took my final breath, I knew that the Venier name would live on in everyone’s mind as a strong, domineering force within the world we come from.
And that’s why I chose Brielle. When her father asked for my help, I drew up the contract. It was something I didn’t want to do, but I thought, it can’t be too much hassle. And then I watched her grow up. I always had eyes on my payment. Or rather, your payment.
She was a strong-willed, independent woman. I knew the moment she turned sixteen I had made a good choice. She will challenge you, she will change you, make you feel. I want that for you. It’s what your mother did for me. But she’s also a soft and kind-hearted girl, which will match perfectly with your hard exterior. It’s something you got from me, and it’s something I hope you never lose.
But I will say one thing—don’t ever push her away with that rough personality of yours. I know for a fact that the match is perfect, if, and only if, you can let her in.
Be a good man, and she’ll be a Queen for you, Jude.
Rule with an iron first, and love with a soft heart.
Blood, honour, and loyalty,
Till Death,
Omertà…
It’s only when I set the letter down do I realise I’m crying. I don’t feel these things, ever. But right now, I’m a fucking emotional mess.
Pushing off the bed, I make my way to the attached bathroom. I need to get ready, and when I do, I’m going to finally obey my father’s wishes without so much as a debate in my mind.
I never get nervous.
I don’t think about myself as a worrisome person, but waiting for Brielle to walk down that aisle has me on edge. With Kai and Valen, and my brother standing beside me, I should be at ease. The guests watch me, I can feel their eyes boring into me, but I don’t turn around because if I do, I’ll end up walking out. I can’t do that to her.
It’s been months since she first walked into our lives. I didn’t want her, but she was given to me, a gift from my father. At first, I was confused as to why he would have given me this woman, because she’s no longer a girl. The beauty who will be Mrs Venier, is a strong, intelligent woman, and I’m proud to call her ours.
When the organist starts the song, I know it’s time. I don’t want to turn around, but I can’t stop myself. My chest is tight as I glance around, and see her at the entrance to the church. Getting married on Black Hollow Isle was Brielle’s idea. I figured she’d want to go to the mainland, but when she told me how much this place has come to mean to her, I couldn’t disagree.