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“Just kidding.” She wasn’t and I didn’t bother taming my laugh. “Congratulations to you both, you look absolutely beautiful.” Ella raised her champagne flute. “Please raise your glass with me to wish Darla and Zeno a lifetime filled with happiness and love.”
It was a perfect, heartfelt speech and Zeno collected my lone tear, just as it touched my smile.
After the speeches, Zeno and I went our separate ways. It might be a fake wedding, but it was still a celebration, so Ella, Dacia, and Hera dragged me to the makeshift photo booth in the corner of the room, where we took an abundance of selfies like old times.
In the midst of gold balloons, streamers, and girlish laughter, I spotted Shaun eyeing us.
“Ladies, I’ll be right back.” I grabbed chunks of my dress and walked towards him.
He welcomed me with a bear hug and squeezed me so hard, I giggled. “I’m so glad you made it, even if you’re a little late.”
“Congratulations, Darla.” Shaun pecked my cheek. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” I smoothed my hands over his blue suit.
“But you also look a little sad,” Shaun said, rubbing my shoulder. “I’m not going to pretend to know what happened. One day you’re single and the next you’re sending out wedding invites. Something doesn’t feel right. I know how you get when people start to dig too deep, therefore I won’t. However, as one of your oldest friends, it’s my job to ensure you’re safe. If you ever need anything, reach out. Don’t ever hesitate. I’m always here for you.”
There was something very special about Shaun. He was so selfless and caring, and one day he’d make a lucky girl the happiest woman on earth.
“You know you’re the best, right? I wish I’d married you instead,” I joked.
He winked. “It’s not too late. Get an annulment and I’ll drag you to Vegas tonight.”
“Get out of here, Shauny boy.” I lightly punched his shoulder.
Shaun’s attention was compromised when a familiar sound resonated to our right. His gaze zeroed in on Hera, who looked beyond stunning in her red bridesmaid gown. Her eyes were vibrant as she threw her head back in laughter over something Ella said. I hadn’t seen her look that content in ages.
Shaun watched Hera like she was the answer to all his prayers.
Not everyone was fortunate enough to experience redamancy. Shaun and I fell into that category. I was doomed to never find love and he was doomed to never have Hera.
When we were in high school, he’d tried so hard by inviting her to all his hockey games, reading her favourite books, learning words in Urdu, but she wasn’t interested in a relationship. And when she was…she met Idris, her husband, during university.
“Idris isn’t here today.”
Shaun’s expression blanked. “Trouble in paradise?”
Idris hadn’t been around lately, constantly disappearing every time our group of friends gathered for dinner or drinks. It was worrisome and Hera pretended like everything was okay. “I think so.”
A pin-prick sensation erupted over my skin. I felt the weight of a heavy stare burning a hole in my back.
I turned my head to find the culprit.
My husband leaned against the open bar. Two men from his groom’s party stood by his side, but Zeno was too busy watching me over the rim of his crystal tumbler.
His gaze lazily swept over Shaun and his jaw tightened.
It didn’t take a genius to know Zeno didn’t like my little display of friendship with the ex-hockey-player. And that pleased me, knowing I could irk him.
I gave my husband a smirk and dismissed him, turning back to my friends.
Zeno
There’s a widening schism between not caring that my wife had a lover and being fucking furious that she broke our truce of maintaining faithfulness.
Shaun Jacobsen the III walked around like a goddamn British royal. His family owned Montardor’s Ravens and ran a prestigious empire, rubbing shoulders with the same people in our circle. He never had a reason to be on my radar. Though after watching him hold my wife like reunited lovers, I now had the irresistible urge to carve his face like a pumpkin.
The sane part of me echoed that it was platonic.
