Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
His niece and nephews, who probably know nothing about his revenge, all cheer. Jen raises a sharp brow. Steve and Laurel, bless them, smile, but I see their concern.
Why is Nathan toasting us? Why is he going through the charade of a happy marriage? None of this is how I pictured my wedding day. Tears sting my eyes.
“I’m older now than the first time I spoke vows,” Nathan goes on. “Wiser, too. No cracks from you, Steve.” Everyone laughs as my husband takes my hand and helps me to my feet. “But I’ve learned what marriage needs to thrive. In addition to the vows I already made you, Isabella, I promise to stay by your side and take care of you, no matter what. I’ll be there for the good days, the bad days, and all the days in between. I will put you on a pedestal, treat you like the queen you are, and never leave your side. To forever.” He lifts his glass.
Woodenly, I follow suit. Why did he say that stuff that melts my heart? Does he mean any of it?
As the chilled bubbles slide down my throat, Nathan kisses me again. Not only is our embrace full of promise and passion, it’s also a warning that our wedding night won’t be remotely chaste.
Once we’re seated, I lean closer. “What are you doing?”
He takes my hand. “Isabella—”
“It’s Izzy, actually.”
“You’re too beautiful for that. Isabella suits you.” He settles his cheek against mine and whispers in my ear. “Our marriage might have started because of hate and retribution, but it doesn’t have to be about that. I mean everything I said today. I will take care of you and be there for you—always.”
I rear back and meet his solemn stare. He’s serious. Is he reading my mind? Is that how he’s speaking my language and telling me everything I want to hear?
Do I dare believe him?
No, and I shouldn’t feel this marshmallowy for a man who’s only using me…but I’m seeing a completely different side of Nathan. Like he’s not just a bastard out for his revenge.
What if I tried, too? Made the best of a crappy situation? Would marriage work out for us?
My head spins. I’m not sure what to think.
One thing I am sure I need? More champagne. Based on the way Nathan keeps looking at me, as soon as we’re alone, he’ll strip me down, ramp me up until I’m breathless, then undo me simply because he can. Now he has the right to do it for the rest of our lives. And if he keeps acting like a groom instead of a foe, how will I resist him?
The rest of the reception passes with more bubbly and angst. Around me, everyone seems happy. Jen squeezes my hand to assure me everything will be okay.
I don’t share her optimism.
After Nathan and I share bites of cake, along with a dance, he starts saying our goodbyes. My phone tells me it’s barely nine o’clock. I don’t know Nathan as a husband, but I know him as a lover. Leaving now means he’ll have hours at me, inside me, unraveling me.
Oh, god.
Laurel wraps me in a motherly embrace. “Jen gave me your number. I’ll check on you tomorrow. But you should know that if you ever need anything, I’m here for you. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to believe that things happen for a reason, and all will turn out for the best.”
That’s something my mom would have said. Despite Dad abandoning us just after I started high school, she never stopped being unflinchingly optimistic about life.
And speaking of dear old Dad, does he have any idea I’m now his enemy’s wife?
“Thank you,” I murmur.
My new sister-in-law squeezes my shoulder and smiles before passing me to her husband. Steve hugs me. “Welcome to the family, Izzy. Jen told me that’s your preferred nickname.”
I nod. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I doubt I’ll be family for long. Once Nathan has his revenge—”
“Don’t kid yourself. He’s never letting you go. He may have sought you out for reasons other than love, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t serious when he spoke his vows. Just…be kind. I know that’s asking for a lot, given the circumstances. But Julia hurt him. He’s angry, and he hasn’t recovered.”
“Because he’s still in love with her?” I don’t want to consider why that possibility hurts me so much.
“No. Whatever they once had died years ago. But trust is hard, especially when someone’s cheated on you and…”
Against my will, I understand. If Nathan hadn’t intervened in my life, if I had gone straight from learning about Eric’s betrayal to an uneventful Christmas party, I might have spent a night or two alone at a cheap motel downtown for my pride, but I would have eventually had to face my ex again. I probably would have gone back to him. But how would I have trusted him? How could we have gone on?