Chapter 123

[MIA]

Even though I hated to admit it, I loved the ring Alex had bought me. I could stare at it forever, and I constantly stole glances.

It wasn't a traditional engagement, but it was an engagement nonetheless. That didn't change the fact that I was mad at him. He lied about being engaged to Hannah while I was falling for him, and then he threatened Jenny's life to get his way.

It's always his way or the highway.

"If you take your eyes off your ring, nobody's going to steal it," Alex deadpanned. I squirmed, looking away instantly.

I glared at him. It wasn't as cold or scary as his, but it was an effort.

"Oh, I'm scared," he joked, returning to his iPad. God only knows what he spends his days reading.

My glare hardened, but when he didn't look up, I continued stirring the batter. I was angrily baking while he sat at the counter, uninvited.

Just then, his phone buzzed. Alex's eyes flickered, and he winced briefly before resuming his poker face. He took his phone and left the room. Even though I kept telling myself I hated that he was trying to be around me—however silently—since the Jenny incident yesterday, I missed his presence almost immediately.

Oh God, if this continues, I'll be in so much trouble.

When Alex returned a few minutes later, his lips were thin, his features hardened, as if he were a prisoner of his own mind, a million thoughts racing through it. Even though he looked at me, he wasn't really looking at me.

My heart pounded. I left the batter on the counter. "What's wrong?"

"We're going to get married," Alex announced as if stating the weather, not a life-changing event.

"You made that pretty clear yesterday when you threatened Jenny's life," I said, still angry.

"No," he paused, inhaling. "We're getting married tomorrow."

"What?" My jaw dropped. "Tomorrow?!"

He nodded.

"No!" I protested, crossing to him. "You—you said I could choose the color scheme, the flowers, my dress. That can't happen tomorrow."

Alex's voice was cold, distant, and unreadable. "Tomorrow."

Then he left, as if he hadn't just made a decision that would change our lives forever.

I didn't sleep that night. I'd have dark circles on my wedding day. Great.

In the morning, I was awake and showered when Lana arrived, and I wish I could say it was from excitement.

She ushered me downstairs where I expected Alex to be, but he wasn't. Dom waited by Alex's black Mercedes.

"I'm driving you to the church," he said emotionlessly. My eyes widened considerably.

I wore a baby blue dress that fell below my knees, but it looked like a sundress at best. It was nothing like a wedding dress. I'm going to get married in this?

"You're not," Lana said, getting in the car beside me. "You're not getting married in this."

"Did I say that aloud?"

"No," she offered a small smile. "But it wasn't hard to guess."

I nodded weakly and stared out the window for the rest of the ride, my breakfast threatening to reappear. When the car stopped, Lana guided me into a Ritz hotel—virtually deserted except for staff—and then to a room.

A white wedding dress awaited me. It was off-the-shoulder with intricate flower designs, a sweetheart neckline, fitted to my chest and flowing freely below. A matching veil flowed longer than the dress's train, along with two translucent gloves.

I gulped. This was my dream dress.

"How?" I asked, staring at Lana, bewildered. "How?"

She smiled. "There was a scrapbook in your apartment."

My cheeks heated. It was one I'd made at sixteen, printing my dream wedding aesthetic from Pinterest. Someday, I'd hoped. "Alex," I cleared my throat, "He went through my apartment?"

"Eh," she shrugged. "Now, let's doll you up."

I'd never seen Lana smile before. It was unsettling, but she got the job done. I wore white and blue lingerie—my something blue—the wedding dress—my something new—then she did my makeup and hair, styling it in a crown braid before attaching the veil.

When she was finished, I looked like a prettier, more sophisticated version of myself.

"I don't have something old," I said, almost panicking. Despite pretending not to care, I was scared skipping this would doom us.

"You do." She picked up a box and handed it to me. I opened the red velvet to find a diamond bracelet. It sparkled like it cost a million.

"Alex's father bought his mother thirty rings when they married. The diamonds from one were used to make this for you," she explained. "This is your something old. Wear it on your other hand."

I nodded, tears in my eyes. She helped me put it on before I took a deep breath, smiled, and left the room, returning to the car that would take me to the church where Alex awaited me at the altar.

Chapter 123

At the end of his altar. I was really going to be his wife, and there was no turning back.