Page 121 of Stronger Than Fate

“Dali isn’t going anywhere,” affirmed Niky, grabbing my other arm, as I was already taking steps to get out of there as quickly as possible.

I felt my heart breaking into a thousand pieces; I never would have expected to witness what was unfolding before my eyes. Henry was walking determinedly toward the altar and wasn’t looking at the guests; his gaze was fixed on the bride. He moved with firm steps and his face reflected the desperation he felt in that moment.

“Niky, please, I can’t take this anymore,” I whispered, my voice barely coming out and my eyes clouded with tears.

“Trust me,” she said.

“You can’t marry that man because you love me. Please don’t do it,” affirmed Henry, now standing a few meters from the couple.

“I don’t know you, you’re mistaken!” cried Sara desperately, shifting her gaze between Henry and her future husband.

“Dalina?” asked Henry, upon hearing my cousin’s voice.

My heart stopped only to start beating so rapidly that I was sure it wasn’t healthy. My mind began working quickly, trying to understand what it could mean that he had said my name, but I didn’t understand anything. Did Henry think the bride was me? If so, that meant that…

Bastián was pulling me one way and Niky the other, but when they heard my name, both stopped. Bastián with his face completely distorted and pale, and Niky with a smile from ear toear. I shook myself free from both of them and stood paralyzed, listening to and watching the scene.

“I’m not Dalina, I’m Sara!” exclaimed my cousin, lifting her veil.

I couldn’t see Henry’s face because he had his back to me.

“Ex-excuse me,” he stammered. “I wanted to stop Dalina’s wedding. I must have gone to the wrong church. Now I don’t think I’ll make it…” he said, dejected, and lowered his head.

My cousin approached him.

“Excuse me, Father, give me a few minutes,” said Sara, looking at the priest who was marrying her, and he nodded. “Are you looking for Dalina Dukart?”

I could see when Henry quickly raised his head.

“You know her? Do you know where her wedding is? Please tell me.”

“Dalina isn’t getting married today, she’s right there,” she said, pointing at me, and Henry turned and our eyes met.

“Thank God!” exclaimed Henry.

“The moment has finally arrived,” said Niky, with a smile of pure happiness. “How romantic!”

Henry walked slowly toward me without taking his eyes off mine. When he reached the place where I was standing, he stretched out his hand for me to take it.

“Here I am, Dalina, begging for your love. Please, come with me. I don’t want to keep interrupting this wedding. I need to talk to you, please.”

My brothers positioned themselves on either side of me.

“Woollardy, I think this is too much,” said Lolo.

“Don’t interfere,” said Niky, looking at my brothers. “This is between Dali and Henry.”

“I’ll go outside,” I said, with my heart racing and my legs about to give way.

“Are you sure?” asked Bastián.

“I am. It’s obvious we need to talk,” I affirmed, stretching my hand toward Henry’s, which was still extended toward me.

When our hands touched, I felt that electricity his contact always produced in me, something that happened only with him. We looked at each other and Henry smiled and seemed to come back to life. We walked out hand in hand and most of the guests began to applaud. I even heard my cousin Sara shouting:

“Don’t let him get away, cousin! Father, let’s continue with this wedding because romance and love are in the air!”

More applause followed, accompanied by laughter.