Page 34 of Burning Your Lies

Closing the gap between us, I get in her face. “She is so much better than you. You don’t even compare.”

Her lips come under my ear. “I can feel how hard you areright now.I bet if I put my hands in your trousers, I would feel that sticky pre-cum dripping out.”

I hate that she’s right. I hate how much control she has over me. I step back. “I don’t need you.”

She grins. “But you want me. It doesn’t matter if it’s Brynn or some other unfortunate woman. You will always want me. If I offered to get on my knees and worship you, you would take it. IfI hitched this dress up, pushed my panties to this side and gave you access to my pussy, you’d take it. Because Iownyou. And it is killing you,“ she laughs.

The image she’s created makes it hard to see anything else. “I think it’s you who wants me. Look at the way you’re panting. Is his cock not big enough? Is his tongue not filthy enough? Can he not satisfy you?” I step back and smirk at the irk in her eyes. “We both know what this sham of a marriage is. You can wear a pretty little ring. You can change your name. But you will never forget howImade you feel; how I gave you a taste of euphoria.”

Her eyes fill with challenge. “Is that right, Mr Rivers?”

I want to fuck her. I want her on her knees serving me as a queen does a king. I want to bend her over this desk and have every damn person in this building know she’smine.She always was and will always bemine.A fucking ring doesn’t change that.

But I step back. “I know what you’re trying to do. And I’m not playing this game with you.”

She bites down on her bottom lip and as she scans me from head to toe. “You should work on your poker face. I can see right through it.”

18

Savannah

The sound of theorchestra has me choking on the butterflies that have vacated my stomach. I eye my reflection in the mirror and practice smiling.

The corset makes it hard to breathe. The sweetheart neckline pushes my breasts up in a way I know Huxley will appreciate. My arms stiffly hold my bouquet of summer flowers. I smile at the brooch holding the picture of my mum. It was a sweet touch by Hadley. The skirt gains elegance as lace ascends from the bottom. To make Isabella happy, my train drags for two and a half meters behind me. The finishing touch to the outfit is the veil that’s almost as long as my train. It feels ridiculous wearing an extravagant dress when we are already married, but his mum’s excitement was too hard to ignore. My black hair is pulled back into an elegant bun that my veil sits perfectly on top of. I kept my makeup light and fresh, knowing I’m going to sweat it off from the heat outside.

When the bridal march plays, I take a deep breath and link arms with Mia. “Let’s do this.”

Mia stares at me with so much love. “Do you remember the night you broke up with Elliot? We were sitting in your dingy little flat, and you were worried about the future. Look at you now. I am so happy for you.”

I squeeze her hand. “Thank you.”

The doors open, and I walk down the aisle. Ahead of me is a beautiful arrangement of florals. Under it, Huxley stands with a look of pride in his eyes. He winks at me and I can’t help but laugh. All the nerves I felt fade into nothing as I realise I’m walking home. Mia hands me to Huxley with a threat to cut his balls if he ever hurts me.

I glance at the few guests, predominantly made up of Huxley’s extended family, and smile at Isabella and Hadley. Malcolm gives his son a thumbs up. On the other side, Mia watches us with tears in her eyes and Jordan wears a sad smile. Behind them, Elise giggles when I blow a kiss in her direction. Brynn studies Xavier who watches me with a look that can only be described as haunted. I pull my attention away from them and funnel it all into the man opposite me.

In the light, Huxley’s amber eyes look golden and glowing. He can’t stop smiling at me and it makes me burst into little laughs. His three-piece suit is moulded to his tall, broad build. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Not so bad yourself,” I wink.

He looks at the priest. “She’s already my wife, so reserve your judgement.” Before he can protest, Huxley steps forward and cups my face. His lips are on mine and the crowd is a mixture of laughter and cheers.

“My flowers,” I barely get out.

He pulls back with a devilish grin on his handsome face. “Sorry.”

The priest gives him a look ofare you finished, before he addresses our guests. “Welcome, loved ones. We gather todayto join Huxley Ray and Savannah Hayes in holy matrimony. I understand the couple have opted out of publicly sharing their vows so—”

Huxley steps forward. “Actually, I have something I would like to say.” He squeezes my hand. “Savannah. You came into my life unexpectedly. It was another ordinary day in my mundane life. And then one introduction turned my life upside down. There are no words to explain what you have done to me, especially for a man who says so little to begin with. I don’t know how to do this because no woman has ever made me want to. I’m not good at this, but I want to be. I want to be the family you deserve. Your mother did an exceptional job raising you.”

At the mention of my mother, my heart wavers.

“You are fierce, strong-willed, determined, resilient, and selfless. And I am just a man who had to wrack his brain to find those words to describe you. I promise to never disrespect you. I promise to never use you for my satisfaction. I promise to treat you as my equal. I promise to protect you. I promise to never cause your tears. I promise to hold you tight when you need to fall apart. I promise to build a safe home for our children. I promise to love you, even when you can’t love yourself. I promise to always be your home. And as we stand in front of these witnesses, I ask you to hold me accountable when I fail in any of these. Because I will fail. Marriage is difficult. It’s one hell of a ride, but there is nobody else I want to experience it with. Thank you for turning my mundane life into something worth living for.”

I can barely breathe from the look of love in his eyes. His emotions wrap around me until I’m protected by it. “Huxley Ray, what have you done to me?” I laugh. “Life has always been loud and chaos. I’ve spent so much of my life screaming, but you can read my silence. And for that, I thank you. Thank you for loving me when I make it impossible. Thank you for welcoming me intoyour loving family. Thank you for slaying my dragons. I know you yearn for the wild ride, but I’ve found peace in the mundane. I don’t need a crazy life. I have had enough crazy to last a lifetime. I am content with a mundane life and there is nobody else I want it with.”

“May I cut in?” Xavier shoots Hadley one of his charming smile.

She flusters under his intense stare. “Of course.” She scurries away with a giggle on her lips.

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