Page 26

“Don’t you want someone to melt your cold heart?” I asked in a mere whisper, not sure why I chose to pick this topic on our wedding day. It was bound to end in disaster.
Samuel slanted a look at the photographer, who lowered her camera and motioned for us to move on to the fountain. “No. I don’t.”
“Oh.”
“We’re running out of time!” Mom pointed at the gold watch around her wrist.
Samuel sighed and picked me up without warning. He carried me down the stairs and toward the fountain. Being pressed up to his body like that sent a nervous shiver down my back, and my cheeks flushed.
“Just like this!” The photographer lifted her camera. “Don’t move.”
She took several photos of me in Samuel’s arms. “I think this is enough,” Samuel said, putting me down in my wheelchair. He didn’t wait for the photographer to agree. Instead, he pushed me up the ramp that led into the ballroom of the hotel that we’d rented for the occasion. The guests had gathered at their respective tables and were busy chatting and drinking champagne or wine. Our photo session had taken a while.
Immediately, everyone’s eyes moved to us. I was used to being stared at and didn’t even mind today. Most faces were friendly, and I simply ignored the occasional grudging expression. I wanted to enjoy today. When Samuel and I arrived at our table, he noticed the origami cranes hanging from the ceiling above the center of every round table.
“I’ve never seen wedding decor like this.”
Nerves filled my belly. His thoughtful expression didn’t reveal if he liked them or not.
“Emma insisted on having them. She even folded them herself! As if we didn’t have the necessary funds to buy decorations,” Mom said in a scandalous whisper.
I stifled my annoyance. We’d still spent a five-figure sum on decorations from flowers to balloons.
Samuel glanced at me. “You did these?”
“Yes, I’ve been doing origami for six years.”
He looked impressed. Hope bloomed in me. “I like it.”
“The cranes symbolize happiness and eternal youth. They are luck bringers.”
“Do you think we need additional luck for our wedding?” he asked, mildly amused.
I shrugged. “Who doesn’t?”
Mom pursed her lips, then her eyes registered on a server who stood off to the side with a tray. “Why’s she taking a break?” She went off to give someone else a piece of her mind.
Danilo and Sofia joined us at that moment. Danilo watched Mother’s departure with a frown, then raised his eyebrow. “What happened?”
“She was displeased that Samuel didn’t hate my origami decoration like she does.”
Danilo shook his head with a look of displeasure. Sofia stood beside him, but they didn’t touch. Not that Samuel and I were holding hands or the like.
“I would have hidden my dislike in front of your mother even if I’d felt it. A husband should have his wife’s back,” Samuel said simply.
I narrowed my eyes. “So you lied?”
“No, I really like them. But I would lie to others to have your back.”
I bit my lip, secretly pleased. “As long as you don’t lie to me.”
“I can be very honest.”
Danilo made a face as if he doubted that. I gave him a curious look, but he simply smiled tightly.
“I think they are spectacular and gorgeous. If I’d known you could do these, I would have asked you to craft them for our wedding.” Sofia pursed her lips. “Though, they probably take forever to fold, right?”
“It took me a while, but I would have done it for you and Danilo.”