Page 120 of Deceptive Desires

After another thirty minutes, only thirty out from the wedding, an older woman walks in. She’s old enough to be my grandmother. Mrs. Montclair greets her as an old friend, and even Margot’s mother seems to be acquainted with her.

“Dotty!” Margot squeals. “Thank you for stepping up! How is everything back there?”

Dotty relays that most of the guests are here. From what I gather, the list was rather small. Even though Matthias has manybusiness associates, he wanted to keep the wedding intimate with only loved ones.

Dotty’s been acting as the day-of coordinator. Her boyfriend, who’s a doctor, has also stepped up.

She’s also in a jade green dress, and I realize she must be in the wedding party as well.

When it’s time to start the wedding, we walk to two big wooden doors. I’m busy admiring them when I hear what sounds like hyperventilation next to me.

I look over and see Margot practically wheezing.

“Let’s do some box breathing,” I tell her as I grab her hands.

I talk her through the count and, after a few rounds, she’s back to normal.

“Huh. So that’s how you do it,” she says in wonder.

I don’t bother asking because the music starts.

And I get ready to walk down another woman’s aisle, knowing I’ll never get to walk my down my own.

But despite that, I’m more than happy for Margot.

Chapter 89

Roman

Music starts, and the wooden doors open.

My back straightens. Because standing there, like a mystical goddess, is my sunshine.

Her hair is in a braid wrapped around her head like a crown and the rest of her waves fall down her back. Her face looks beautiful and radiant. She’s in a light green one-shoulder dress that hugs her breasts and falls in small pleats to the ground. It brings out the color in her skin.

She’s breathtaking.

And as she floats down the aisle towards where I’m standing, my heart hammers, and I see it. I see a vision of her in white. Glowing radiantly. As she walks down an aisle, towards me.

And it’s in that moment, I realize what I’ve taken from her.

She didn’t get the wedding of her dreams. The one she already started planning with Margot. The one she was so excited for. None of her family or friends were there. Fuck, she doesn’t even remember signing the marriage certificate.

And I vow to myself that she will get that wedding. I’ll make sure of it. Because she deserves that and so much more.

She shoots me a bright smile, and I’m transfixed.

The entire ceremony, I can’t take my eyes off her. I don’t see anything outside of her. I couldn’t tell you what Margot’s dress looked like or what Matthias’s vows were. Because I’m too consumed with this perfect goddess.

The ceremony passes quickly. Or maybe it’s that I could stare at my sunshine forever and it still not be enough.

We follow the happy couple down the aisle. Cecilia takes my arm, and all feels right in the world.

The smile she flashes me on the way out gives me hope.

Because it’s the smile of a woman in love.

And she wouldn’t fake that, right?