Cold raced through her as she met her sister’s defiant stare. “I’m not like her.”
Chelsea motioned for her to turn around. “Check yourself in the mirror, sis. I have dad’s lighter tones, but you’re the spitting image of Mom in her heyday.”
Their mother had been a fashion model and in high demand when they were young, but she’d also wasted money like it was water. All her years of study and hard work was to prove to herself that she’d not turn out half as frivolous. Cassidy’s insides tightened. “Mom is sweet but she’s not always logical.”
“Which is why I was late this morning, sis. Mom couldn’t decide on her outfit and needed my help. I’ll meet you at the church, okay?”
“That’s fine, Chelsea. I can get dressed on my own.”
Michael brushed her arm and said in a soothing tone, “Don’t let anything get to you Cassidy. Today is your day.” He sniffed toward Chelsea, who ignored him.
Good point. She took one last glance in the mirror. Her hair and makeup made her look beautiful, but the white button down shirt and gray sweat shorts she’d borrowed from Remy’s closet were hardly bridal. “I have to get back and change. The tailor is waiting to see if I need last minute adjustments and I don’t want to be too late.”
Michael stopped her and tucked a piece of her hair just so. “Relax. Let me fix this loose pearl.”
The second he was done, she said, “I have to go.”
He walked her to the door while her sister stayed in her stylist’s chair getting her hair finished. “You look perfect. Congratulations and don’t let anyone steal your happiness, darling. You deserve everything. Don’t let the tailor touch anything near your face and ruin my hard work.”
She raised her right hand and swore like she was a Girl Scout. “I won’t. I’ll still see you at the church for touch ups?”
He air kissed her cheeks. “Absolutely.”
She laughed and called out, “Thanks Michael. See you at the church too, Chelsea.”
“Bye, sis.” Chelsea didn’t bother turning around.
The limo waited out front of the palace and she slipped in the backseat. She drank some water as they pulled away from the castle, then opened her phone and texted Remy.I can’t wait for later, Remy.
The signal that he typed back was on her screen, then the familiar beep. She laughed and read,I’m already at the church. I told you that you’d be late.
See you soon,Mr. Know-it-all. Is Gigi there yet?Even if she was a few minutes late, they’d never start without her—Gigi was coming with two of her doctors to make sure she had the best care.
No. Remy answered fast.
Good. A smirk grew on her face as they took a back road that led right to the Bei Garden Manor.So I’m still running on time.
Remy typed and a thrill raced through her spine and body. He then said,I need to see you. Get here so I can see your smile.
She held the phone to her heart and closed her eyes.
Today was just going to be awesome.
Then a huge bang jolted her from the backseat and she landed on the floor of the limo as the vehicle jerked to a stop. What other car was even on this road? Cassidy patted her arms and legs down, then gently went over her loops of hair, and last her forehead. She felt okay and hoped she hadn’t ruined Michael’s hours of work. Where was her phone? Smoke filled the backseat.
She crawled up and opened the partition and saw the driver slumped over the wheel. A white SUV with a plow on the front had lodged itself in the limo’s engine. “Hey!” Cassidy shook the man’s arm and noticed blood on his forehead. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
Her rear door opened and Cassidy turned toward the afternoon sun. “We have to get help.” The driver had looked bad.
She slipped out of the car, giving one last look in the smoke-filled backseat for her phone before turning toward a familiar beautiful tall blonde who said, “Cassidy Bright.”
“Lucinda.” Cassidy’s mind cleared. Remy’s ex shouldn’t be here. Had she been driving the SUV? She ignored the alarm ratcheting in her body and pointed to the front seat. “My driver’s unconscious. I lost my phone in the wreck.” She waved away the smoke curling from the limo. “Please call for an ambulance.”
“I can’t do that,” Lucinda said as she slipped her hands out of the front pockets of her designer blue jeans.
“Why not?” Everybody had a phone—maybe the driver had one in a pocket—she needed to pull him from the smoky limo anyway.
Lucinda came from behind and wrapped her forearm around Cassidy’s neck. “Because you’re supposed to be unconscious too.”
