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“When Jericho heard how sick you were, he helped without question.” Telling her these elements of truth helps me feel better. “He knows how much you mean to me, so he jumped to getting everything organized for the surgery straightaway. He didn’t want you to wait for that either.”
Her eyes swell with a mixture of tears and gratitude. “My God, I’m in awe of his kindness. Things have been so hard for so long, and I accepted that death was knocking at my door. To be given new hope is something I can never repay.”
“There’s nothing to repay. All you have to do is focus on getting better.”
“Thank you, my sweet, strong River. You are my something good.”
“And you, Aunt Gina.”
“I hope I’m well enough to come to the wedding. This is the best news we’ve had in a long time. I’m so glad you found true love.” She sounds as hopeful as a Disney character making a wish.
“Me, too.” Back to telling lies.
I’ve come to accept that things like true love are myths.
Such things don’t exist. Or maybe they do for some people, just not me.
I’m proven right and put further in my place when the days roll by and the non- communication between Jericho and me grows and grows.
Days turn into weeks, then suddenly, it’s our wedding day, and I’m walking down the aisle to get married.
I’m on the beautiful grounds of the world-renowned Oheka castle, surrounded by three hundred guests and the press, who started taking pictures of me the moment I stepped out of the limo and they saw my wedding dress.
Today is the day everyone who is anyone has been talking about, and the day I’ve been dreading.
The only good thing is that Gina is here, Eden is my maid of honor, and Dad is beside me. Despite what he said the other week about his wheelchair, he insisted that this was his job and he wouldn’t pass it up for anyone.
I love him for that. Having him next to me is keeping me from withering away as I stare at Jericho at the head of the altar, standing in between the priest and Knight.
His eyes are on me.
Those same eyes stared at me as he claimed my body.
I want to hate him. Hate is an easier emotion for me to deal with.
Anything else with Jericho is too much and so complicated it could enter theGuinness Book of World Records.
As I draw closer, I realize I might not have a choice in how I feel about him for good or bad. Better or worse.
That doesn’t mean I should play love’s fool again.
Even if the man I shouldn’t want is seconds away from becoming my husband.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Jericho
“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announces, sealing our union of marriage.
His words flow into my mind, bringing reality home, and I stare back at my beautiful bride, the realization hitting that River and I are now husband and wife.
I just got married, and River is now my wife.
My wife.
It’s strange to think of her as such, but those words in my mind feel like something wicked and sinful, luring me back into what I tried to escape for the last few weeks.
My eyes lock with hers for another heartbeat before I lean in and kiss her, but the kiss…
