Connor groans. “Hell, Violet—”
“You said it looked so easy, so I said fine. ‘Try to do some, then.’ I made you do the easiest move in the book.”
Aiden chuckles. “Yes, you did.”
“And he fell on his ass just trying to get into second position!”
Connor laughs. Despite his groaning, he clearly doesn’t mind being given shit by Violet. I can’t imagine what he would have done if it was someone else doing the teasing.
“I don’t need second position,” Connor says, waving a hand dismissively. “I have plenty of experience with the ones that matter.”
Violet laughs even harder at that, and I join her.
As the evening wears on, I realize with a start that for the first time since I was forced into this engagement with Aiden, I don’t feel like an outsider around him and his family.
I almost feel like… I belong.
It’s a disconcerting thought, pleasant and strange at the same time.
Maybe, even though this isn’t how I would’ve ever imagined it happening, I’m right where I’m meant to be.
CHAPTER26
Rose
I feel like I’ve been sprinting through the weeks. I know it hasn’t been all that long, but it feels like forever and a day at the same time.
And now, the day that’s been hanging over me has finally arrived.
My wedding day.
The huge Catholic church where the funeral was held is apparently the family favorite. I stand alone in the small room that's been designated as my bridal suite, my hands twisting nervously together. There’s a long mirror at one end, with a vanity and a smaller mirror to the left of it.
Hanging on two hooks at the back of the bathroom door are two separate dress bags.
Two…
Why two?
My brows draw together as I step toward the garment bags to look closer. There’s a note stuck to the outside of the bag on the left, and I pull it off and read it quietly to myself, taking a seat by the mirror.
Rose,
I will be here today, no matter what it is you wear. I understand why you chose the dress you did. Why you chose red.
But I want you to know that I’ve always seen you this way—beautiful and perfect, even when I fucked up everything by trying to protect you.
This is your choice. Your decision.
Red or white, I’ll take you as my wife.
Aiden
A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow hard. Then I set the note aside and stand up to unzip the bag on the right. The red dress. It’s beautiful, but I hesitate, wanting to at least see the other one.
When I open the other garment bag, my heart stops.
The dress is white, but more than that, it’s the one I looked at and chose not to try on. The one I passed over because I didn’t want to wear something I loved too much to this wedding. I told myself I would wear a dress I loved later, when I got away from Aiden. If anyone would still want me in the future, if whatever version of myself survived and escaped this arranged marriage would still be capable of love.
