I lower my eyes, now knowing she must know everything, and she continues.
“The only reason I found out was because Cody felt he had to be completely honest with me before we were to marry.”
My eyes meet hers, my brows pinched as she sighs in defeat.
“It turns out you weren’t the only one fooled in the beginning.”
I tilt my head to the side, and she clears her throat adjusting herself to spill all.
“That night we went to Chaos’s after party; Cody scouted me on purpose so Chaos and Reign could meet you.”
My eyes gradually close and I face away, shaking my head from side to side.
“I’m so sorry, Luce.”
Her hand finds my shoulder and she gives it a small squeeze, drawing my attention back to her sparkling blue eyes.
“Don’t say sorry, Char. Nothing was your fault. Everything that happened wasn’t your fault. I hope you know that.”
My eyes fill with tears hearing those words because for a long time and still now I sometimes feel like it was all my fault. Chaos is dead because of me. Their fathers are dead. All the hurt stems from me. I am not sure how much she knows, so I just give a simple nod.
“I chose to forgive Cody, although I left his ass for two months and made him grovel for it.”
I smile slightly before peering into her eyes again and I decide to shift the subject as I do not want to ponder on the darkness of the past on her big day.
“I am so happy for you, Luce. You deserve so much love and happiness and I know Cody always brought you that.”
I take her hands in mine and squeeze them.
“I just want you to know that at the time I had to focus on myself and rebuild. There was nothing anyone could do to help me, but me.”
She gives me an understanding nod, her eyes soft.
“And have you found peace?”
I smile gently before I answer.
“Yes, I finally believe I have.”
She smiles widely, her happiness glowing.
“That makes me so happy, Char. It really does.”
As she stands, I do as well, and I watch as she heads toward her dress on the opposite side of the room.
“Where is your family? Your mom?”
With her hand on the beautiful material, she side-eyes me.
“My parents are dead.”
My eyes expand ever so slightly as she turns to face me, lifting the dress off the hanger.
“I guess we both kept secrets, huh?”
My eyes ease and she starts to tell me what happened.
“They were in a car accident when I was ten years old. My dad survived, but he was paralyzed from the neck down. He died two years later. I was then taken in to live with my aunt and uncle. She is downstairs, keeping busy because I will not let her in here.”
