Page 27 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Isla

Before Liam could tell me anything more, Zara knocked on the door of Liam’s bedroom.

She’d gone searching for me, and when she didn’t find me in my room, she came to Liam’s.

I told Liam I wanted to leave, and he said the conversation wasn’t over.

In a way, I’m glad Zara interrupted us. I’m not sure I want to know whatever it is Liam wanted to tell me next.

My head is already reeling with what he divulged.

Somehow, I’m not sure I can also digest whatever it is that he hasn’t yet told me.

We’ll have enough time for that after we’re married.

Enough time for me to tell him my own secrets.

After how he trusted me, I should be able to share my own scars with him, right? I bite the inside of my cheek. It’s not just about trust. It’s about… Believing in myself enough to share something so intimate and know I’ll survive. Do I have the courage to do that? Am I strong enough? Do I want to?

I glance at my reflection and ask, "How do I look?" I meet Zara and Summer’s eyes in the mirror in my bedroom.

Both stand behind me already dressed in their bridesmaid’s, or as Z prefers to call them, bridesbabe’s dresses. True to her word, Karma made sure each of their looks was distinctive.

Zara wears a simple sheath-like dress in a dark purple which brings out the gorgeous color of her skin. She’s painted her lips the same color. Her only ornament is a silver pendant. She looks sexy, yet understated.

Summer wears a dress in pink that tightens over her belly to celebrate her pregnancy and flows out behind her as she walks. She also wears a scarf around her neck, and somehow, manages to pull off the look without looking too hippie-ish.

Amelie’s dressed in a dark red concoction, with an off-the-shoulder neckline with delicate sleeves. The bodice is decorated with sparkling beads and sequins while the skirt is made of multi-layer tulle. It’s a romantic dress which suits her personality to a T.

As for me? I wear a white, mermaid wedding dress made with Chantilly lace and embroidered cotton lace, stretch satin and organza.

The dress hugs my curves and the neckline at the front hints at the cleavage.

At the back it dips down to reveal my lower back.

The skirt flares below the knee, creating a mermaid-like tail that is utterly elegant.

The dress boasts mother of pearl sequins and its pièce de résistance is the dramatic train that extends seven feet from the waist.

I had eschewed the idea of bringing in a hair and make-up team, and had opted to wear my hair down, as always, with very little make up.

"Jesus Christ, woman, you look like a million bucks," Zara exclaims.

"If that doesn’t render Liam speechless, I don’t know what will," Summer agrees.

I glance between them. "I can’t believe Karma managed to create this dress in such a short period of time. In fact," —I swallow the ball of emotion in my throat— "I still can’t believe I’m standing here all dressed up." It’s a fake wedding—a fake wedding—remember? So why doesn’t it feel that way?

Zara holds out her arms. "I’d hug you, but I don’t want to spoil the dress."

"Bullshit, woman." I hold out my arms. "I need to squeeze the hell out of all you right now."

They dutifully oblige, and we hold onto each other for a few minutes.

Zara sniffles. "You’re going to make me cry. That’s not allowed. No tears on this occasion.”

I manage to smile. "Not sure I’ll be able to oblige, but I’ll try."

"Not enough, lady." She blinks away her tears and scowls at me. "You’re not going to go out there with swollen eyes.”

"Yes, Mom." I chuckle.

"You look amazing," Summer says, and leans over and kisses my cheek.

"You go out there and floor them, lady.” Amelie kisses my other cheek.

We end up hugging again.

There’s a knock on my door, then my mother’s voice calls out. "You have a minute for us, Isla?"

I wince. The last person I want to see right now is my mom. Not because I’m not happy to have her here. It’s just, the less time I spend with my family, the less I have to lie to them about the circumstances that brought me to this wedding.

"You okay? Do you want us to send them away?" Zara frowns.

I draw in a breath and square my shoulders. "No, it’s fine."

"You sure?" Summer asks. "I’m very good at keeping family entertained."

"I’m sure you are, and thank you for being such wonderful friends, but it’s best I meet my ma, else she’ll never let me hear the end of it." Which is true. My ma’s wonderful, but she’s also smart enough to know when I’m evading her, and she won’t take too kindly to that.

"Okay." Zara presses a quick kiss to my cheek. The women step back and head for the door. "I’ll knock in ten minutes to remind you that we need to get going."

"Make that five," I mutter.

She nods, then the two of them open the door and slip out.

I hear them greet my mother, then hear another voice.

Shoot. Seems like Liam’s mother is also here.

And she knows about this entire charade.

I’m sure she hasn’t told my mother anything, because I’d have heard from my mother if she had.

That’s my only consolation. I reach for a tissue and dab under my eyes, then paste a smile on my face before I turn.

"Mother, Mrs. Kincaid," I greet the two women.

"I told you to call me Rosie, didn’t I?" Liam’s mom beams at me.

My mother stands inside the room, her fingers pressed to her bosom. "Oh, my goodness, you look so beautiful, my darling little girl."

"Thank you." I glance between them. Rosie is the first to move. She walks over and pats my shoulder. "You look radiant." She lowers her voice. "If Liam doesn’t change his mind about the veracity of this wedding, then he’s more stupid than I thought."

Umm, what about me? What if I want to maintain the status quo and not change the status of this relationship from 'It’s complicated' to 'Happily Married'? I want to say it aloud but I don’t because my ma is in the same room. Also, she’s just walked over to join us.

When she hesitates, I resist the urge to roll my eyes, my ma may not take too kindly to that.

Instead, I wrap my arms about her and hug her.

"Thanks for everything, Mom. I’m not the easiest of daughters, I know, so thanks for being patient with me. "

My ma sniffles. "Now you’re going to make me cry."

"Nope, no tears, happy occasion, remember?" I echo Zara’s words.

She nods, then sniffles again. "I know I can be an overbearing mother sometimes but you do realize it’s because I have your best interests at heart?"

"I know, Ma." I squeeze her arm.

"If there’s anything you ever want to tell me I’m here for you, Isla," my mother murmurs.

I glance at Rosie who shakes her head indicating she has no idea what my ma is talking about. "I’ll leave you two to catch up." With a last look at the both of us she walks away.

"I’m not sure what you’re talking about Ma," I say carefully. My heart begins to gallop. She can’t be hinting at what I think she is… can she? Nope. No way my mother knows anything about the one thing I haven’t been able to share with anyone in my family.

My mother shuffles her feet. "All I mean is that we’re all there for you, Isla. Me, your brother and the entire Lymington Knitting Club."

"Of course, Ma." I release her and step back. "I’m aware." Not that I plan on sharing anything with the infamous nosey parkers of the Knitting Club. I could, possibly, share my secret with Dorian. But the moment I tell my mother, she’ll tell the Knitting Club, and then it will be all over my hometown. To be honest, it’s one of the things that’s stopped me from confiding in her.

The last thing I need is all the people I grew up with looking at me with knowing eyes.

So, guess it’s going to have to wait. The much bigger issue I have is deciding if I want to share my secret with Liam. Honestly, I’m not sure.

My mother is watching me closely. She must see something of my thoughts reflected on my face because she sighs. "Isla, I—"

"Isla, it's getting late."

Thank god. "Ma, we’ll talk more later, okay?"

She doesn’t look happy but contents herself with kissing my cheek. "Love you, honey."

"Love you, too, Ma."

She turns and leaves the room, leaving the door open behind her. Zara peers in, Summer next to her. "Ready to do this?"