Page 195 of My Ruthless Opponent

Sneaking out from a wedding is difficult especially when you are the bride and are dressed in a huge, heavy as fuck ball gown.

I somehow managed to escape from the set of the photoshoot. Now I am heading upstairs to my suite to pack my bags.

I am leaving. It is a cowardly move; I am well aware. But this would paintmein the ugly picture. And that’s exactly what I am aiming for.

Everybody will assume I got cold feet and ran away minutes before the wedding. Victor, Archer, and others will sympathize with Raleigh.

Archer will be pissed at me but he will forgive me with time. This was the only idea I came up with. And it will have to do.

“Hannah?”

I freeze mid-step at Archer’s voice coming from behind. I screw my eyes shut.

What is he doing inside the resort when everyone’s out there?

Heaving a sigh, I grab the skirt of my heavy dress with my hands and turn.

Brielle, Mia, and Archer are standing in front of me.

“What are you doing here? I was looking for you everywhere. Come on, it’s time.”

“I forgot my phone in the suite.” I make an excuse.

“Why do you need your phone now?” Mia questions, a genuine confusion on her face.

“To get the pictures.” I blurt.

Brielle furrows her eyebrows. “There are professional photographers out there.”

Shit. I silently clutch the wedding bouquet she hands me. Before my mind could come up with another excuse, they are ushering me out.

As soon as I set foot in the garden, panic begins to build in my stomach.

The tent is less than ten steps away now. I have no other option but to walk with them until we reach the tent where everyone is waiting.

Brielle and Mia enter first as they are the bridesmaids. I take Archer’s arm.

“You ready?” Archer says, in a low voice.

Misty-eyed, I look up at him and nod. As if sensing my fried nerves, he reaches up with his free hand and squeezes my hand tightly.

I keep my eyes down as we start walking.

My heartbeat roars in my ears as we step inside the tent on the cue of the piano’s sweet melody.

The murmurs around me make me look up. All heads are turned in our direction as we begin walking down the aisle.

I take in the lush pale color flower arrangements, elegant drapery, and crystal chandeliers.

This is truly a dream wedding. But the fairytale wedding décor can’t distract me from the reality which is not so beautiful.

Involuntarily, my eyes stray from the people and seek him.

Raleigh is standing before a rose-covered wall with a greenery backdrop. Summer stands beside him, all tall and grinning in a tux.

When my eyes slide back to Raleigh again, he breaks into a heart-stopping smile. His blue gaze is warm and full of awe as I walk to him.

In a blink of an eye, I am there in front of him.

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