Page 68 of Belle Amour

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” There were some half-hearted cheers and clapping, and then Eddie and Casey led the way down the aisle, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen to“(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right.”

“Sweet baby Jesus,” Mirabelle muttered as she stood up and filed out with the others. “They're just going all out with the songs about affairs, aren't they?”

“They are leaning into it.” Bastian grinned, taking her hand and keeping her close to him. “But there are a lot more songs about cheaters getting their comeuppance than there are about them getting what they want, and I have a feeling the DJ will take requests.”

“The dance is gonna be so much fun.” Mirabelle laughed, making a mental list of all the songs she knew about cheaters getting the boot as they headed to the bar and lined up to get a drink.

“I don't believe any of this will be fun, Dear.” Francesca sighed, folding her arms and glaring at the line-up for the bar.

“Don't worry, Mother.” Eleanor took her mother's arm. “Let's find a nice quiet corner where we can all sit and let Dad and Robert get our drinks for us. Mirabelle glanced at Bastian, who nodded and let her go so she could take Francesca’s other arm and help Eleanor get her to a sitting area.

“I'll be back shortly. I have something I need to do.” Benji kissed Lila and disappeared into the crowd as Eddie walked up.

“The photographer is wondering if you'll be joining us for pictures.” He said stiffly to his family, avoiding looking at Maribelle and Bastian.

“Nope,” Eleanor said cheerfully, and Eddie sighed, hurt flashing across his face.

“Really Ella? He asked quietly.

“Yeah, really. I'm happy you think you're happy, but it came at the cost of other people, so I won't be celebrating it.”

“I don't know that it did; she seems pretty happy to me.” Eddie rolled his eyes, and Maribelle felt her temper flare.

“That's it. Eddie, come with me.” She let go of Francesca and grabbed his arm. He yelped in surprise and resisted her.

“What? I don't have time...”

“You're gonna make time.” She pulled him toward the door to the side patio and shoved him through it.

“What the hell, Mira!” Eddie stumbled a little as she let him go and caught himself on the wall, turning to face her quickly.

“Shut up!” She folded her arms and glared at him. “Did I seem happy when you spent four months snapping at me for everything? When nothing I did made you happy? Did I seem happy when I walked in on you? Did I fucking seem happywhen you two harassed me for months? When you and your wife threatened me?”

“We didn't threaten you!” Eddie protested weakly, avoiding her eyes as his cheeks turned red.

“The judge thought you did, didn't he?” Mirabelle taunted him, anger rushing over her as he denied their harassment of her. “Would you like to hear the recordings? Maybe I should give them to the DJ, and we’ll let a court of your peers decide.”

“Mira!” He looked genuinely panicked, and Mirabelle felt a small measure of satisfaction.

“What? If you didn't threaten me, it shouldn't be a problem, right?” She watched as he swallowed nervously and decided to let him off the hook. “Eddie, If I'm happy now, it's because Bastian has never had anything but my best interests in mind. I'm incredibly lucky he's never given up on me, even when I had given up on him.” She could feel her anger building as she tried to make him understand how he messed her up. “I was happy with you, Eddie. I loved you, and you broke my heart. There were so many days that if Bastian never got me out of bed, I wouldn't have gotten out. So don't take my current emotional state as an indicator of what it was.” She turned and started to walk away, pausing at the door. “You brought this on yourself, Eddie. Better get to your pictures.”

“Mira...” He quickly followed her back in, reaching for her arm, but she pulled it free of his grasp.

“Nope. I need you to know and understand that you and your whore messed up my life, and everything that comes out of this wedding is karma.”

“WHAT THE HELL, EDDIE? What were you doing outside with her?” Casey stormed up to them, red-faced and very upset.

“We were just having a little chat about the past, Casey,” Mirabelle smiled and went to Bastian, who grinned and put his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him and kissing her cheek. “Don't get your panties in a twist; he's your prize. Take him away.”

“Relax, Casey.” Eddie’s voice was much more reassuring than Mirabelle’s, and he went over to take her hand. “Let's go get those pictures. Mom? Are you and Dad coming?”

“What for?” Francesca said dryly as Robert and Victor joined them and passed Eleanor and Francesca their drinks. “The happy memories?”

“Right.” Eddie nodded, looking even more upset. He started to turn to walk away, but his temper got the best of him, and he turned back around. “I mean, why even be here if you're just going to have that attitude?” He snapped angrily.

“We paid for it, so we might as well enjoy our... investment. “Francesca eyed them both with distaste. “Because I doubt we'll see any returns on it.”

“Come on, Casey, let's go get the pictures done.” Eddie gave her a gentle tug. “Did you talk to your dad?”

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