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No one outside of Hale, his father, Jasmine, and myself knew the reality. Yet he constantly acted like he had something to prove. But the world wasn’t getting it, because they didn’t know the score.
Hale feared having their shameful history exposed. He liked control, and that entire traumatic experience had stolen his control in ways he was still trying to process. Still, that didn’t excuse him to go around pounding his chest and making insulting accusations at the people who loved him.
While he tolerated my endless idiosyncrasies, I simply didn’t have the energy to jump back on the merry-go-round of his daddy issues today. Not when I was exhausted from mentally contending with my own.
“I’m going to check on Elara. Then I have a full day. I just wanted to tell you, my dad’s not coming.”
His entire disposition changed and his bullshit took a back seat as he looked at me with a mixture of concern and shock. “What happened?”
There was my answer. If he knew about the credit card charges, he hadn’t linked it to my father.
I shrugged, not wanting to insert any of that ugliness into our special week. The man had already spoiled enough special moments in my life.
“Change of heart.”
“Oh, Rayne.” Hale crossed the room and hugged me. “I’m so sorry, baby. Is there any way we can change his mind?”
I shook my head. “It’s fine.” That phrase was the biggest lie in the English language. “Anyway, we’ll have to let Quinn know so she can rework the ceremony.”
“Will you ask your mom to walk you down the aisle?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll figure something out by tonight.”
His brow pinched and he studied me for a long moment. “Are you okay?”
I forced a smile and repeated my bullshit mantra, “I’m fine.”
I left before he could say anything else.
The day moved quickly yet somehow still felt a hundred years long. My life had become a series of holding patterns. I dressed for an event, was transported to said event, and placed in the next isolation booth as I waited for the event to get underway.
I was grateful that tonight’s rehearsal dinner would be the last so-called welcome dinner of the week. Once I had my makeup, dress, and shoes on, my work was basically done, so I waited in the master bedroom of the penthouse until it was time to leave.
I could have easily waited downstairs with the bridesmaids, but…I was hiding. These moments of quiet were few and far between and I needed them to build up my strength.
Hale was checking in with his groomsmen down the hall. As soon as he returned, we would be on our way.
When someone knocked at the door, I tensed. “Who is it?”
“Remington.”
That was unexpected. I crossed the room, my rehearsal dress whispering softly with each step as I opened the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to speak to you in private.”
He entered the master bedroom and took a seat on the gilded chair by the window, then on second thought moved to the settee at the foot of the bed. The rain had aggravated his bad leg and his steps were stiffer than usual.
“Where’s your cane, Remington?”
“In my closet at home where it belongs. Sit down.” He patted the seat next to him.
I lowered to the settee. “What’s up?”
“I was talking to Hale.”
“Oh, boy.”
“Relax. It was just a talk. I’m not going to argue with him during the week of his wedding.”
