Page 70 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

Khalid was the first to react. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "That son of a bitch!" he growled, his voice barely containing his fury. I could almost see the anger radiating off him like heat waves. "How dare he? He’s doing this to get under our skin."

I turned to Ivan, expecting him to share Khalid's fury. But to my surprise, Ivan just looked on, his expression oddly calm. It was as if he had anticipated this, as if he knew Ethan would pull something like this eventually. "I knew he was unpredictable," Ivan said quietly, more to himself than to any of us. Then, just as abruptly, he shifted gears back to talking about the wedding. "So, are we nervous for the first look?"

I couldn't believe it. "Ivan, are you serious right now?" I asked, incredulous. "Did you see those photos? Ethan's parading Yasmin around on Instagram like some trophy!"

I couldn’t hold back. “Ivan, how can you be so calm about this?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Ethan is trying to mess with us, and you’re acting like it’s just another day!”

Ivan looked up at me, his eyes hard and determined. “Rafael,” he said quietly. “It is just another day, but it's one of the most memorable days for me as a father. My daughter is getting married. I'll walk her down the aisle and share this day with her. If you think I'm going to let some lowlife, wannabe businessman stop me from enjoying my day, then you're wrong."

"But still..." I just had to stir the pot more. "How are you so calm, even when Yasmin isn't here?"

"I’m not calm," he stated calmly. "This is all a front, one I crafted for situations like this when my anger is to the point where I want to murder someone. Ethan has crossed many lines and I'll deal with him but not today. I refuse to let Ethan ruin this day for her.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I saw the strain in his eyes, the tension in his jaw. He held it together by sheer force of will, for his daughter’s sake. I took a deep breath, feeling a grudging respect for Ivan’s strength. “I understand,” I said, my voice softening. “I just wish we were doing something.”

"We will," he grinned, the malicious intent in his eyes was clear to everyone. "The grim reaper doesn't rush to collect the soul of a man who is already dead."

-47-

Yasmin

Today is the day. My wedding day. A flurry of emotions rushed through me as I stood in front of the mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me. The ivory lace of my wedding dress hugged my body in all the right places, cascading down into a train that trailed behind me like a waterfall. My hair, perfectly styled in loose waves, was adorned with delicate pearls, which framed my face and complemented the delicate veil pinned at the back. The makeup artist had worked wonders, highlighting my features with just the right amount of elegance. Everything felt surreal like I was walking through a dream.

"Yasmin, are you ready for your solo shots?" the photographer, Clara, asked as she walked into the room. Her voice pulled me from my reverie. I turned away from the mirror and nodded.

"Yes, I'm ready," I replied, feeling a flutter of excitement in my stomach.

Clara led me outside to a picturesque garden filled with blooming roses and a soft, golden light that made everything look like a scene from a fairy tale. As I posed for the camera, I couldn't help but think about how much effort had gone into this day. It was a lot, but it all seemed worth it now.

"That's perfect, Yasmin. Just tilt your head slightly... yes, just like that," Clara instructed, snapping away. I did as she said, feeling more like a princess with each click of the shutter. After several solo shots, Clara glanced at her watch.

"Alright, let's get the women in your family for the next set," she said.

I walked back inside, the hem of my dress rustling softly against the marble floor. My mother, sister, and Rafael's mom were already waiting, each looking radiant in their dresses. Amirah stood out in the dress I chose for her as my maid of honor.

"Yasmin, you look stunning," my mother said, her eyes welling up with tears. She reached out to squeeze my hand.

"Thanks, Mom. You look beautiful too," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze in return.

We gathered together, and Clara directed us into various poses. We laughed, we hugged, and at one point, we all burst into tears. The emotions were overwhelming. My mother, who had always been a pillar of strength for my family, wiped away a tear and kissed my cheek.

"You make a beautiful bride, my darling," she whispered.

"Thank you, Mom," I replied, feeling the warmth of her love envelop me.

After hundreds of pictures, Clara finally gave us a nod. "Alright, ladies, I think we got some great shots. Yasmin, it's time for your first look with Rafael."

My heart skipped a beat. This was the moment I had been waiting for, when Rafael would see me in my wedding dress for the first time. Clara led me to a secluded area of the garden where Rafael was waiting, his back turned to me. He looked handsome as ever in his tailored suit, his broad shoulders straight and his hands clasped nervously in front of him.

"Okay, Yasmin, when you're ready, you can walk up to him," Clara said softly, positioning herself to capture the moment.

I took a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one last time before walking towards him. Each step felt like an eternity, the anticipation building with every inch. When I finally reached him, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of him. Then, I gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Rafael," I said softly.

He turned around slowly, and the look on his face when he saw me was everything I had hoped for and more. His eyes widened, and a smile spread across his face, one that lit up his entire being.

"You look...too beautiful for this world," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You are stunning, Flower. I can't believe I'm marrying you."

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