Page 57 of Secret Dynasty

“He’s a jerk. Not always, but enough of the time,” she amended quickly as if she was afraid to even consider criticizing him. “He doesn’t deserve you and you clearly have feelings for my brother. Holden, I mean. And I think he loves you, too. So why marry Spencer. All of you will be miserable and that will make me miserable, too. If that’s —”

“Evie, hold your tongue,” Caroline said sharply. We turned to find her glaring at her only daughter from the doorway. She shifted in her heels, already dressed for the ceremony, and did her best to look casual. “Your opinion is unwanted.” She turned her attention to me. “I assume Evie has told you that Holden won’t be joining us for the wedding.”

I nodded, blood roaring in my ears as I wondered how much of Evie’s speech she had heard. Probably none of it, Caroline appeared to filter out unpleasant truths. She had turned a blind eye to my relationship with her sons since we’d been introduced.

“Thankfully, Spencer has a cousin in attendance. He’s going to step in, and no one will be any the wiser.”

“You don’t think people will think it’s weird that Holden isn’t here?” Evie demanded, planting a hand on her hip.

“I don’t really care what people think,” her mother spit back.

“Since when?” Immediately, Evie clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing what she said.

“I think you better finish getting ready,” her mother said coldly. Then she looked at me. “As should you. It’s your wedding day. Focus on that.”

“Maybe we should wait.” It spilled out of my mouth before I realized it was on my tongue.

Caroline had already begun to turn toward the hall and she froze for a moment. Then, she swiveled slowly back, a look of pure hatred on her face. “And why would we do that?”

“Spencer should have his brother here,” I said.

“Is that the only reason?” she said meaningfully. She was baiting me, but when I didn’t bite, she dangled the hook. “I don’t think Spencer will miss his brother at all. I think you will.”

Chapter Thirty-One

I was too shocked to say anything.

Her eyes sparkled over her win. “I need to see to the final preparations. Evie, get dressed!”

None of us spoke as she sashayed out of sight.

“She’s really mad at me, huh?” Evie broke the silence.

“Welcome to the club.”

“We should get matching shirts,” Evie said glumly.

I hated that Evie had gotten dragged into all of this. Almost as much as I hated Caroline for the way she treated her daughter. I pushed onto my feet and wrapped an arm around Evie’s shoulders.

“I know everything is crazy right now,” I admitted, “and I don’t expect you to understand all of it, but I want you to know that I’m really glad that you’re going to be my sister.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she squeaked, “Really?”

“Really.” I meant it. Maybe life wouldn’t turn out the way I planned, but I would find happiness where I could. Today, I was losing a piece of myself, but I was gaining something, too. There was a bright side, and I clung to it.

“I better go get ready,” Evie said. “Before mom kills me.”

I nodded and watched her leave.

“I guess I should get dressed,” I said in a hollow voice.

“Maybe—”

I cut Eliza off with a sharp look.

“It’s too late,” I said firmly. “This is happening.”

She didn’t debate me, but when she went to the closet to retrieve the other gown, I stopped her.