Page 51 of My Horrible Arranged Marriage (Bancroft Billionaire Brothers #20)

MINA

I stood by the grand entrance of the Duvall Estate, plastering a smile on my face. The doors were opened wide, letting in what should have been a breeze, but there was no breeze to be had.

The summer night’s humidity pressed against me. It was stifling. Or maybe it was my own guilt.

The night had been amazing, but I couldn’t wait to get out of my heels, wipe off my makeup and put on a pair of shorts that allowed me to breathe freely. I bid farewell to the parade of New York’s elite.

A stream of headlights from waiting town cars and limousines filled the driveway. One by one, guests made their way out, climbed into their cars, and left the driveway. Another car rolled into place and it looked like it would never end.

“Thank you so much for coming,” I said to the Hendersons, my voice pitched to the perfect tone of gracious hostess. It all felt practiced.

Isaac stood beside me, putting on his best show as well. This was what we had been born into. We were used to the pomp and circumstance. Mrs. Henderson squeezed my hands a bit too tightly, her diamond rings cutting into my palm.

“Such a lovely rehearsal dinner, darling. Your father outdid himself. I’m sorry we won’t be able to make the wedding. Congratulations. Both of you.”

“Thank you,” Isaac replied.

Across the foyer, my father was deep in conversation with Senator Walsh, gesturing emphatically.

My father had gotten his way, unbeknownst to me and Isaac.

Since we held our ground and whittled down the guest list, he had invited many of them to the rehearsal dinner.

We thought it was going to be family and close friends.

And then there was a parade of people that came in.

I had felt the tension in Isaac, but he kept that practiced smile in place.

We were both giving my father what he wanted.

Isaac reached over and casually touched my arm.

It was his way of offering me comfort and telling me he was right there. He was always going to be right there.

My cheeks ached from smiling. Isaac somehow managed to look effortlessly handsome even after three hours of small talk, toasts, and navigating the political minefield that came with a Duvall-hosted event.

He was charming. Magnetic. Amazing. His smile was smooth and teasing as he knew just what to say to every person.

A Bancroft through and through. I watched as he clapped shoulders, cracked jokes, thanked people for coming like he’d been doing this his entire life.

He had been. Just like I had. I loved that our true selves were our little secret. When we were alone, we could be as goofy as we wanted. Yes, we could get a little rowdy in public, but no one really knew who we truly were.

Isaac was the man who rubbed circles on my back when I couldn’t sleep. The one who kept a tiny stash of sour candy in his nightstand because I liked them. The one who hadn’t left my side once while I recovered from surgery, who’d given me permission to be completely free.

I leaned in closer, slipping my hand through his arm as he finished saying goodbye to one of his cousins. He looked down at me and smiled. But it wasn’t his usual natural smile. I was about to ask him what was wrong when the tension faded and it was the normal smile again.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this tomorrow,” I said under my breath.

He chuckled, a low sound that curled around my heart. “Getting cold feet?”

“Not a chance.” I grinned. “I just can’t believe I get to stand next to you and call you my husband.”

He kissed the top of my head, but he didn’t say anything.

I felt a stiffness in him. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but he felt off.

Maybe it was just nerves. He’d been a little off all evening.

I figured it was the pressure. Or maybe I was the one being weird.

Reading too much into things. Seeing shadows where there were none.

He’d probably been his usual self all night. I was projecting because of what I was keeping from him. We were going to be married tomorrow. Tomorrow, he would have the truth and this weight would be lifted. We could get started with the rest of our lives.

We said the last of the goodbyes. The house felt empty. After being filled with so many people, it seemed to be extra quiet. I sighed with relief. The rehearsal dinner wasn’t supposed to be this big or last this long. I wanted to get plenty of sleep for tomorrow.

Isaac’s arm wrapped around my shoulders and tugged me against him. I turned and leaned into him. His arms slid around me, simply holding me. We didn’t have to talk. I had a feeling we were both thinking the same thing. We were both happy it was over.

“That was a long night,” he murmured.

“Yes, it was.”

I felt him sigh and knew exactly how he was feeling. I let myself appreciate just being in his arms for a long, precious minute.

“Come on, handsome,” I said, tugging him toward the driveway. “Time to get you out of here. The bride needs her sleep and you look too good in this suit. I’m ready to climb you like a tree and risk dark circles and puffy eyes tomorrow.”

He laughed again, this one lighter, and let me lead the way. We walked to his car with his hand holding mine. It felt surreal. Tomorrow evening, we would be dancing under the stars as husband and wife.

We reached his Porsche parked in the corner. I turned to face him.

“So this is it,” I said, suddenly breathless. “The next time I see you, I’ll be walking down the aisle. You’ll know who I am. I’ll be the girl in white.”

His smile faltered just a little, eyes dipping to the ground before he nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out for you,” he teased.

“Oh, I’ll be carrying pretty flowers, if that helps,” I said with a laugh.

“That’ll do it… although I’ve seen the flower bill. There’s going to be a lot of flowers.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I might have gotten a little carried away, but when Lucia showed me the examples, I couldn’t resist.”

“I want you happy,” he said simply. “I’ll buy every peony in the city for you.”

“I hope you cry,” I teased, poking him in the chest. “Like, ugly cry. I want visible emotion, Bancroft. Don’t hold out on me.”

He smirked, leaning against the driver’s side door. “No promises.”

“I’ll wear waterproof mascara just in case,” I shot back.

But his smirk faded as quickly as it appeared. He stared past me. I looked over my shoulder to see what it was he was looking at. Some of the staff were outside taking a break before the cleanup duties started.

I turned back to him. “Isaac?” I tilted my head. “What’s going on? Are you nervous?”

He hesitated. “There are some things…” he started and then stopped.

I waited. I could see he was trying to find the right words.

“Things?” I asked softly.

“Things you don’t know about me. Stuff I did before I fell in love with you. I’m not… I’m not a saint.”

I placed my hand against his chest. I understood the cold feet and second thoughts. It was all happening fast. “Okay. So tell me.”

His brow creased. “What if it changes how you see me?”

“It won’t.”

“You say that now?—”

“No, I mean it,” I cut in. “Isaac, I don’t care who you were before.

I know who you are now. I know the man who looks after me, who makes me feel safe, who fought like hell to earn my trust. I’m not marrying a version of you.

I’m marrying the you standing right here.

Besides, you’re going to learn some things about me . ”

His eyes searched mine like he didn’t quite believe it. But like he wanted to.

I reached up, cradling his face between my hands. “I know the man you are. And I want to build a life with that man.”

For a second, I thought he might say something else. Might tell me whatever was weighing him down.

But then he kissed me.

Soft. Sweet. And with a silent promise.

When he pulled away, I smiled and tapped his forehead lightly.

“Get out of your own head. We love each other. You leaving the toilet seat up and me leaving my shoes everywhere is part of the fun. We’re going to get to know each other.

Yeah, it’s a little out of order, but who cares. We don’t have to follow all the rules.”

He nodded. “I’ll remind myself to put the seat down.”

“I’ll see you at the altar, Mr. Bancroft.”

“Don’t be late, future Mrs. Bancroft.”

I turned and walked back toward the house. I glanced over my shoulder and saw his Porsche heading down the driveway. I hoped he’d be able to set aside whatever was eating at him. I understood the concern. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I knew we both loved that feeling.

Tomorrow was our day.

It was nearly midnight when a soft knock came at my bedroom door.

I was still wide awake, hair let down, robe wrapped around me, sitting on the edge of my bed and staring at the box of baby items that I had packed and repacked.

Tomorrow night, I would give it to Isaac. I would tell him. And I couldn’t wait.

“It’s me,” Dad called out.

I quickly hid the box and walked to open the door. He was holding two mugs of tea.

“I figured you weren’t asleep,” Dad said, stepping inside.

“You figured right. Come in.”

We walked to my sitting area with him in one of the chairs and me sitting on the loveseat.

“I used to think that once I got past the wedding, I’d be able to exhale. That the hard part was over. But it turns out, giving your daughter away isn’t easy. Even when she’s stronger than anyone I know.”

I smiled. “But you’re giving me to a good man. And we’re still going to see each other all the time.”

“I’ve been thinking about your mom a lot tonight,” he said after a moment.

His voice sounded wistful. He rarely spoke of her.

I knew that his single status after all these years was a testament to how much he loved her.

“She would have loved this. She would’ve loved him, too, I think.

Though she’d have grilled him until he broke a sweat. ”

I let out a soft laugh, tears prickling at the backs of my eyes.

“She can see me, Dad. I really believe that. And I think… I think she’s happy for all of us. I can feel it.”

“Yeah. I think she is too.”

We sat in silence for a while, sipping tea, listening to the soft creaks of the house settling around us.

“I know I’ve apologized before,” he said quietly. “But I want to say it again. I want to say I’m so sorry about how I handled things with Sampson. I was trying to protect the wrong person, and I hurt you because of it. I should’ve done better. And I’m sorry.”

I looked at him. “Thank you for saying that. It means more than you know.”

He nodded, then smiled. “But this is the life you were meant to have. I see it when you look at him. You’re not carrying it all alone anymore. You’ve got someone in your corner now.”

I nodded, throat tight.

“I think tomorrow’s going to be perfect,” he said quietly. “The only thing that would have made it better is if your mother could be there.”

“She is here,” I whispered.

He got up and leaned over to kiss my forehead. “Get some sleep, baby girl. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

I watched him leave, tears finally slipping down my cheeks once the door clicked shut.

I couldn’t wait to tell my father he was going to be a grandfather.

He’d cry. I was sure of it. A man like him, who prided himself on legacy and family? Who had watched me struggle for years to find my footing? He would be over the moon.

I pressed my hand to my belly and smiled, letting myself appreciate the moment.

Tomorrow, I’d become a wife. And in about eight months, I would be a mother.