“I promise to make you happy. I promise to be a good husband and father to—”
“Father?” I interrupt whatever nonsense he was going to say next. “Youarefucking psycho. I don’t want kids, and I’m leaving you as soon as I get the results of my mom’s surgery.”
He sighs. “That’s no way to talk on our wedding day. I’m going to be a good husband and will make you happy. Can’t you accept that?”
“I was happy single.”
“Well, you’re not anymore, so deal with it.”
“Oh, we’re both going to deal with it. I’m going to make your life so fucking miserable. As miserable as you’ve made mine.”
“Really? As you stand there in a designer wedding dress.” He lowers his head and whispers in my ear. “That dress is worth much more than you charged for it.”
“I’ll be sure to set it on fire later.” I do my best to sound bored, but the scent of his cologne is intoxicating, and as much as I hate the man, he looks handsome in his tuxedo.
The song ends, and he walks away, leaving me standing in the middle of the dance floor. Eager to put more distance between us, I head to the bar and get between Eden and Selene.
“He had the nerve to tell me he’s going to make me happy. I was just fine.”
“I can get him again.” I put my hand on Selene’s shoulder to calm her down, but just as I open my mouth, my father joins us.
“Do you want to dance, honey?” I cringe at the endearment. “I’d like a moment to talk.” I’m saved from answering when my new husband, with a mic in his hand, asks for everyone’s attention.
“What the fuck is he up to?” I whisper in Selene’s ear.
“I’d like to invite my wife to join me, please.” He extends a hand. Everyone is silent, watching and waiting to see what I do. My first thought is to either ignore him or walk out of the room. I finally settle on option two, but Selene wraps her hand around my wrist after I take my first step.
“Remember what I said. Play the part.Thisis your time. Tease him.” Selene gestures for me to go. I stand straight, shove my breasts forward, and join my husband. He snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me close, so I put my hand on his chest like a blushing bride.
“I’d like everyone to take a moment and appreciate how beautiful my wife is.” The room erupts into applause, whistles, and catcalls. “And she made this dress herself.” Another round of applause followed by whistles when my husband takes my hand and spins me around. “I’m so lucky, and Corine, I want to make a promise to you.” He takes my chin between his thumb and index finger, so I gaze lovingly into his eyes and smile. Someone lets out a loud whistle. “I want you to know that I will be a good husband, a good provider, a good father to our children. You’ll never want for anything, and I’m not talking about material things. I will shower you with love and affection. You come before everyone and everything else. Whenever you need me, I will be there. You’ll never spend another moment alone. Not in this life or any other. Everything I own is now yours.”
The crowd swoons, and he pulls me into his arms. I allow him to hug me, and when he pulls away, he kisses me so passionately that it’s almost indecent. He rubs himself against me. “Just a few more hours, and we can have our wedding night.”
“So, I can’t even get away from you in the next life? I’m in fucking hell, and I’m not a believer.” His head rolls back, butinstead of answering, he laughs as if anything about today’s events is funny.
“Everything you have is now mine,” I whisper in his ear. I nip it, and he groans. “I’m going to take it all.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to take what’s already yours.” He gives me a predatory smile. “You think I care about the things?” I tilt my head to the side. It’s obvious he does. He owns houses, cars, and boats. “I don’t give a shit about it. You want it. Take it. For the first time, I have everything I want.”
“All you had to do was bribe for it, right?” My eyes narrow at him.
“I did what needed to be done.” There’s no remorse in his voice, so I’ll have no regrets in how I deal with him going forward.
“I have something I want to say to you, too, but I need to get it first. Give me a minute.”
I find my husband moments later talking to one of the servers. “Thank you, sweetheart.” My nostrils flare at the endearment. “You’re doing a great job.” The woman turns beet red, bats her eyelashes, and practically swoons. She steps closer to him and looks into his face.
“Not too close, now, Suzette. I’m a happily married man.”
The server giggles like he told a funny joke. She opens her mouth to speak, but I loudly clear my throat. She puts a hand to her chest and takes a step back.
“Do you have something to say to my husband, Suzette?” I raise an eyebrow at her. She looks around like a deer in headlights before running away.
I take Dax’s hand and pull him into an isolated corner.
“Just so you know,sweetheart, that little flirty thing that you do stops today. You’re not going to be flirting with women. Am I clear?” I point at him. He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
“Crystal.”
