Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Maggie
When I’m finally alone in the bride’s dressing room, I close my eyes and try to picture it again. Three little girls surround me. The oldest has bouncy red curls like mine and chubby apple cheeks that I cover in kisses every night.
The second one is curled up on my lap as I read her a story book, looking up at me with big brown eyes, the exact shade as my father’s. The third is peacefully taking her bottle, making little grunts as I coo at her.
I try to imagine their father on the porch swing with the three of us. But the man I picture doesn’t look a thing like my groom. No, the man I’m seeing is rough and rugged with a grin that promises trouble.
Opening my eyes, I glance at my reflection in the mirror. The white wedding dress with the sweetheart neckline and full, flowing skirt is beautiful. But it doesn’t feel like something I’d wear.
I wanted a simple wedding, barefoot on the beach or even better in a remote forest under a canopy of trees. Not a huge one in front of nine hundred people including some of Asheville’s top society people and journalists from all the major state newspapers.
“It’s just wedding day jitters,” I try to reassure myself as I fluff my hair. But the truth is I haven’t been able to get the knots out of my stomach since I agreed to marry Sebastian six weeks ago.
I might be considered society people because of my grandfather’s wealth and yet I’ve never fit into this world. I wouldn’t even be considering this wedding if grandpa’s money manager hadn’t disappeared with almost everything he owned.
The investor that was willing to save my family’s jewelry company made it clear that part of the deal involved marrying his son.
While there were plenty of investors I could have gone with, Anthony Thomas was the only one who wouldn’t take over and completely change our business model. He and his son were the best of bad choices.
“An arranged marriage isn’t a terrible thing,” I whisper as I walk to the room across the hall where my groom is getting ready.
I raise my hand to knock on the door, but it’s already cracked, letting me hear the conversation.
“I can’t believe your dad’s making you marry just to get your inheritance.” The words from Sebastian’s best man are no surprise. Neither of us are going into this marriage with any warm, fuzzy feelings toward each other. But love can grow between two people. Like it did with my late parents.
“And an ugly horseface at that,” Sebastian adds.
The words make me blink as the hurt rushes through me. I’ve only met Sebastian a few times, but he’s never been anything less than cordial. Sure, he was a bit cold and withdrawn. It wasn’t like I expected an instant attraction.
His best man snickers. “Yeah, I’ll say. What are you going to do when it’s time to pork the fat bitch?”
“Tell her to double bag her face,” he answers, and the sound of male laughter fills the room. “I can’t believe I’ll be having sex with that thing. I’ll have to picture a threesome with Cindy to get through this.”
“Can you imagine having kids with her?” Another friend mocks.
“They’d probably be just as portly as their pig of a mother.” Sebastian doesn’t hide the disgust in his tone.
For one moment, I debate storming into the room and telling off Sebastian and his friends. I consider how good standing up for myself would feel since I never did it in high school. But experience has taught me that people like Sebastian don’t change even when confronted with their own ignorance.
Suddenly, an eerie calm comes over me. In this moment, I know that not only will this marriage never work, but it’s not what my parents would want for me. Even if it means my grandfather and I end up penniless.
Pulling up the long skirt of my dress, I sprint down the hall and search for the side exit door. I don’t know where I’m going. But I know that there’s no way in hell I’m staying for this wedding.
2
MAGGIE
When I found the limo in the church parking lot left unattended with the keys still in the ignition, I knew it was a sign from my parents. I was doing the right thing.
But as the wind howls and the snow flurries come down faster, I’m not sure my decision to drive up a mountain was the best move, even if it does happen to be called Mount Bliss.
I turn on the windshield wipers and squint to see through the quickly falling snow. By now, Sebastian has probably realized I’m not showing up. His father will be furious, but I deserve better than his cruel son. I deserve someone who’s willing to accept all of me and will love me for who I am.