Page 36 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"How could he do this? To that sweet girl. In front of everyone."

I don't have an answer. I've been asking myself the same question since Eric delivered the news in that corridor.

The wedding coordinator—Christina—is near the ballroom entrance, directing staff as they begin breaking down the decorations. An arch covered in roses that will never frame a kiss. A reception that will never happen. All of it, a waste. I pull out my phone and text Miles again.

Dax: Where are you? Call me immediately.

Nothing.

Christina approaches us, wringing her hands.

"Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Blackwell, I'm so terribly sorry about all of this. We're working on clearing the space. Most of the guests have left."

"Thank you." I keep my voice level, professional. None of this is her fault.

"Much appreciated."

She nods and hurries away. I scan the lobby. The crowd is thinning. Scarlett's parents left an hour ago, her mother in tears, her father's face carved from stone. Jane and Sarah stayed longer, both of them devastated, buteventually they went upstairs to check on Scarlett, who apparently locked herself in the bathroom earlier and refused to see anyone.

I don't blame her.

Eric is standing near the elevators, still in his tuxedo, talking quietly with the other groomsmen. I stand and walk over to him.

"Eric."

He turns, his face guilty.

"Dax. Man, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Miles was going to—"

"What happened last night?" I cut him off.

"After the rehearsal dinner. Where did you go?"

Eric exchanges glances with the other groomsmen.

"We went to a cigar lounge. Just the guys. Bachelor party stuff."

"And?"

"Miles was drinking. A lot. He kept rambling about how crazy all of this was, how everything was moving so fast." Eric runs a hand through his hair.

"We just passed it off as drunken ramblings, you know? Cold feet. Everyone gets nervous before their wedding."

"What time did you leave?"

"A little after one AM. We made sure we got him back to his place in one piece. He seemed fine. Tired, drunk, but fine."

I stare at him. "He seemed fine, and then this morning he decides not to show up to his own wedding?"

"I don't know what happened between then and now." Eric's voice is defensive.

"I swear, Dax, if I'd known he was going to bail, I would've—"

"It's not your fault." I cut him off again, though the fury burning in my chest wants to blame someone. Anyone.

"Did he say anything else? Anything specific about Scarlett or the wedding?"

Eric thinks for a moment.