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My heart wrenches when she cups my face and looks into my eyes, her touch gentle. “It would make me so happy if you’d give us a real chance, Lex. I’m not asking you to change, you know? I’ll take you as you are.”
Twenty-Two
Raya
“You look stunning,” Mom says, tears in her eyes as she takes in the heavy white bridal lehenga I’m wearing, the outfit a perfect fusion of her culture and Dad’s. Raven outdid herself with the design, making my wildest dreams come true. It’s elegant, and it fits me like nothing else ever has, truly transforming my figure. I’ve never felt more beautiful.
“So do you, Mom,” I murmur, taking in the gorgeous yellow saree she’s wearing. She looks just like I’d always imagined she would on my wedding day — classy, radiant.
“Raya,” Mom says, grabbing my hand. She searches my face, her gaze tormented. I’ve never seen her as emotional as she is today. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, my darling. It’s not too late to back out now. We’ll find another way.”
I shake my head and tighten my grip on her hand. “No, Mom. I stand by my decision. I know this isn’t what you wanted for me, but he’s a good man. He loves his family, and he’s dedicated to his job. Lexington won’t just save the company; he’ll help us realize our vision for it.”
Some time and distance did exactly what I hoped it would — it gave me perspective. It helped me not take Lex’s actions personally. Taking a step back allowed me to see his behavior for what it was: protectiveness. It doesn’t hurt any less, but I understand where he’s coming from. Besides, against better judgment, I trust him when he says he’ll try.
Mom draws a shaky breath and looks down. “I know you always wanted a big Indian wedding alongside a western one, and now… now you won’t have that. Hedoesseem to be a good man, but I just want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted, and I know this isn’t it.”
I glance at my empty arms, the mehendi and bangles I always thought I’d have missing. She’s right — this isn’t quite what I’d imagined. I always thought my wedding would be a grand affair, just like in my favorite Bollywood movies, but then again, I always thought I’d marry for love. “It’s okay, Mom,” I reassure her. “I promise, I’m more than fine.”
Mom begins to reply, but we’re interrupted by the sound of knocking on the door. “Come in,” she calls, and my heart wrenches when Dad walks into the guest room Zane and Celeste provided me with, ahead of the ceremony that’ll take place in the observatory attached to their home.
He freezes when he sees me, his eyes wide and rapidly filling with tears. “Oh, my little girl,” he says, his voice breaking. Dad walks up to me and takes my hands, swallowing hard. “You look so beautiful.”
A tear runs down his face, and I catch it with my thumb, cupping his cheek gently. “Thank you, Dad.”
He chokes back a sob and shakes his head. “Let’s not do this, hmm? Let’s just go home.”
I chuckle and shake my head, my heart warming. “I can’t keep my groom waiting at the altar now, can I?”
“Sure you can,” he reassures me. His eyes are filled with sorrow and guilt, and seeing him looking at me like that just breaks my heart.
I hold up my pinky and smile. “I promise I’ll come home the second I’m even remotely unhappy, okay?”
Dad hooks his finger around mine, sealing my pinky-promise. “These kinds of promises are unbreakable,” he reminds me, a smile breaking through. “So I know you’ll keep your word.”
I nod and rise to my tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek, which just makes him cry in earnest. He hugs me tightly, and Mom wraps her arms around us both, equally emotional.
“I’m sorry to disturb,” someone says from behind us, her tone sweet and understanding. “But it’s time.”
Dad sucks in a breath and tries his best to compose himself while Mom fixes my makeup, her expression searching. She pushes my long waves out of my face and looks into my eyes. “Khush raho,” she whispers, tears in her eyes.Be happy.
I nod, silently promising I’ll do all I can to fulfill her wish. She looks me over once more, making sure I truly am fine, before she hands me over to my dad. It isn’t until I’m holding his arm that I recognize the petite redhead standing in the corner, the sweetest smile on her face, a tinge of longing in her expression as her gaze moves from my parents to me.
Faye Windsor.Lexington’s sister-in-law and Dion Windsor’s wife. “I’m your pianist today,” she explains, and my eyes widen in surprise. “I’ll be playing as you walk into the observatory with your father, so I’ll go in ahead of you.”
I never took note of any of the details, because this wedding was meant to just be a formality. However, it seems like the Windsors don’t quite agree. Not only did they arrange for the wedding to take place in the most beautiful and grand observatory I’ve ever seen, but we’ll also have one of the world’s best pianists playing for us? It seems far too romantic forsomething that is essentially a glorified business deal, and it fills me with something I can’t quite define. Longing, perhaps — for it all to be real. This wedding may not be exactly what I’ve always imagined, but it isn’t far off either.
My heart is racing as Mom leaves to take her seat, accompanied by Faye, and Dad and I make our way to the start of the white rose petal trail that leads us toward the aisle. “I love you,” Dad says, his voice shaking. “I will always be there for you, Raya. No matter what. You don’t ever need a reason to come home to Mom and me, okay? Our home will always be yours, too.”
I look up at him as music begins to play, our cue. “I love you too, Daddy. Always will.”
He draws a shaky breath and closes his eyes for a moment to compose himself, and then he nods. Together, we walk down the aisle, where Lex is waiting for us, his four brothers by his side. Much to my surprise, Sierra, Raven, Celeste, and Valentina stand on my side, sweet smiles on their faces.
I’d been worried about feeling lonely at my own wedding, since I haven’t even told Adam about it. Seeing these four women standing there gives me the same hope I felt during my dress fitting, and I smile at them, before settling my gaze on the one person I’d been avoiding looking at.
Lexington.
Our eyes lock, and he inhales sharply. He looks stunned, mesmerized, and I watch as Ares leans in and whispers something in his ear, no doubt teasing him. Lex barely responds, doesn’t take his eyes off me for even a second.
