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Just an empty hallway.
She was making something out of nothing. Probably her subconscious trying to get her mind off her parents. How sad was it that she’d rather think someone was spying on her than to want to spend time with her mother and father?
It was their fault. They had been the ones who had refused to support her. He was an overbearing tyrant, and her mom never spoke up against him.
She would raise her child the opposite way, putting his or her needs above her own. That’s what she needed to think about. Not let her mind run wild like this.
As she made her way to her seat, Rita greeted guests at the other tables in the restaurant. Everyone gave congratulations and embraces.
Why couldn’t her parents be as happy for her? Because her marriage to Grayson didn’t benefit them in any way, that’s why.
She forced all other thoughts from her mind as she sat next to her gorgeous and supportive fiancé. He kissed her cheek then asked how she was feeling.
Rita beamed, so grateful to be marrying a man who actually cared about her. Someone who was the complete opposite of her family and her murderous, cheating ex. Life had been hard up to this point, but now things were finally turning around.
She was about to have a real family. Her child would be born into a home full of loving and nurturing siblings and two parents. That was the only thing that mattered.
Grayson leaned over. “Are you okay?”
Her breath caught. Was her freaking out obvious?
“Don’t listen to your parents,” he said. “They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
She relaxed. That was all he was referring to. Good, because she didn’t want to admit to feeling like someone was watching her. It was ridiculous. They were in a really old building — she was probably picking up vibes from that.
Rita rested her hand on his knee. “You’re right. And the only thing that matters is you and me.”
He kissed her on the lips. “Exactly,mi vida.”
Her heart fluttered. She loved all the pet names he had for her. Nobody else had ever bothered giving her a nickname besides Rita. Her parents often still called her by her full name, Margarita. And because it was almost always said in disdain, she hated hearing the word.
The server arrived with the meals, and she eagerly dug in. Even her parents focused more on the food than throwing disparaging remarks her way.
It only took a matter of moments for her to relax and enjoy being next to Grayson. She even turned her attention to his parents and asked them what Grayson had been like as a boy.
They shared some funny stories that made everyone around the table laugh.
As soon as the conversation quieted, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end again.
She looked around the full room. Nobody was glancing her way, but even if they had been, she was the bride. It would make sense that people would look at her.
So why did it feel like something more sinister?
ChapterFive
Ariana pulled the swimsuit cover-up over her head then checked the mirror to fix her hair. “I feel bad that I haven’t even talked to my parents or Laney and Zander yet.”
Damon wrapped his arm around her. “They only just got here during dinner, and they sat at the far end of the restaurant. There’ll be plenty of time to see them. We have the entire weekend ahead of us, starting with this evening swim. If I know your brother and sister, they won’t miss that.”
“True. I think they might’ve been born wearing swimsuits.”
Damon chuckled. “That wouldn’t surprise me. You ready to head down? I heard the pool is amazing.”
“I’m sure it is — everything else in this place is the peak of luxury.” Ariana picked up the hotel map to study it. “Looks like we’ll get to see even more of the building on the way there.”
They grabbed what they needed then headed out. Halfway down the massive hallway, they ran into her mom, dad, and siblings.
Laney squealed and threw her arms around Ari. “I missed you.”
