Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Your body doesn’t want me to leave.”
“Tristian…”
“Kitten…”
His phone rang, distracting him for a second, and I used the opportunity to slam the door in his face.
“This isn’t over,” he warned.
I smiled, not paying him any mind, going about the rest of my night.
Except, the next morning when I woke up, this ring was sitting pretty on my finger. The bastard actually did sneak in through my window while I was sleeping.
Did I leave it open for him?
I shook away the thought, trying to stay focused on how my life had been turned upside down in a month. I couldn’t believe my family was able to pull off this lavish wedding in such a short amount of time. I guess when you had all the money in the world, time didn’t matter. Seven hundred and fifty of their closest friends would be in attendance. Including the Hawkins’ guest list. I was blown away at how many people were invited.
Not to mention, the obscene amount of press that was outside waiting for their first picture of us. This wedding was a damn circus, and we were the main attraction, orchestrated by our families. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I wasn’t even involved in the process of putting together this wedding and reception. Everything was decided for me. My gown was designer—a custom made Valentino with a train that felt like it was five miles long.
The truth was, I didn’t want to be involved. It was easier to just relinquish control. In return, I was shocked at how much my wedding was already reminding me of my debutante ball. Another event I despised, that again, was organized by my family. If this wedding wasn’t enough to send me over the edge, then the memories of that night sure as shit did. It was the last time I’d seen Tristian and the first time I’d met the real him. Trust me, the irony was never lost on me.
I’d spent years trying to forget that night, and now it was all crashing back into the forefront of my mind as if it was happening all over again. However, this time, wouldn’t be like the last when he left me without so much as a goodbye. Now we were getting married, united for life. Tonight, we’d try to make a baby. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex with anyone, while Tristian probably screwed someone last night as his last hurrah with being the most eligible bachelor in the world.
I wanted to hurl.
To run.
The only thing keeping me there was the title of CEO I’d receive.
Would I get pregnant tonight?
“Belle! Did you see this?” Paige rushed into the private suite of St. Bishop’s church. The same cathedral my parents were married in.
“See what?”
“Your wedding! It’s front-page news!”
“My arranged marriage, Paige,” I corrected, grabbing the article out of her hands.
The headline read, “Tristian Hawkins finally settles down with none other than Belle Montgomery.”
“Ugh…” I grabbed my stomach. “I’m going to be sick.” I continued reading out loud. “For generations, there has been an ongoing rivalry between his family and hers, but today marks the first time they’ll be joining forces. Tristian’s publicist confirms our suspicions that their love affair began when they were only teenagers.”
“Oh my God! His team released a statement? Why wasn’t I told he was going to talk to the press?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Do you want me to find out?”
“It’s too late now. The damage is done.” Proceeding, I recited, “Tristian has declared that Belle has always been the love of his life. He confirms she was the one who got away, but now he’s making sure she is his forever.”
“Awe,” Paige chimed in. That’s so romantic.”
I frowned. “Whose side are you on?”
“I’m always on your side, Belle, but come on, you have to admit … it’s kind of romantic.”
Paige wasn’t just my executive assistant who’d been working for me for the last five years, but she was also one of my closest friends now, and now she was my maid of honor.
“He’s playing a part, Paige.”
“I don’t think he’s faking anything.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?”
“I see how he looks at you. There’s love in his eyes.”
“It’s not love you’re seeing, it’s control. Tristian thrives on it. I’m just another conquest for him, so please don’t let him fool you.”
“Alright, but what happened between the two of you anyway? You’ve never talked about him before.”
“It’s not important.”
“It’s obviously important to you, or why else would you be holding a grudge against him?”
“You think I’m holding a grudge?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I… I… I don’t know anymore. It’s not like I ever expected him to come back into my life.”
“Do you love him?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Did you?”
“I was sixteen, Paige. I also loved N’SYNC back then too.”
“Eh.” She shrugged again. “I was more of a Backstreet Boys kind of girl.”