Page 145 of Deceit

Christopher

I frown, and Ronan plucks the card from my hand, giving a frown of his own.

“That’s kind of creepy, right?” I ask.

Ronan just swallows, tilting his head to the side consideringly before shaking it.

“He’s just trying to get into your head. Don’t let him.”

“Well, do I have to wear this thing?”

He nods and I frown. I mean, I suppose if I can keep it on during the ceremony, though I doubt I will be able to, it’ll be something. It’s better than them ordering me to march in completely naked, right?

We spend hours inside my room, mainly because I’m terrified to leave. Ronan said that we would have to leave at eleven thirty, but ever since it turned eleven, I haven’t been able to stopshaking. My stomach has been tight and ready to upturn all of its contents from the day but at eleven fifteen, I let it win and rush into the bathroom.

I heave and heave but to my disappointment, nothing is coming out. Instead, I’m left a panicked, shaking and sick mess. I don’t even feel the tears pouring down my face until they begin splashing against my arms. A knock comes from the door, Ronan’s voice soft and concerned.

“Are you okay, baby?”

“N-no,” I laugh self-deprecatingly.

“Asher is here. Do you want me to send him away?”

I think about it for a moment before I reach for some toilet paper, drying my face as best as I can before answering.

“Let him in.”

The bathroom door opens in the next moment, Asher’s face filled with sympathy as he crouches down beside me.

“Princess,” he says softly, as he wipes my tears away with his thumbs.

“Hi,” I say with a pathetic smile, as another tear drops.

“It’s gonna be okay. It’s one night. One night that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to help you forget, okay?”

I nod, leaning into his touch as he cups my face.

“I wanted to check on you before I head out. Just keep your eyes on me the whole time, okay? Did Ronan explain everything to you?”

Nodding again, he blows out a soft breath.

“Good. I’m so sorry about this,” he says, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead as he shakes his head and pulls away. “So sorry,” he whispers under his breath as he stands.

“I’ll see you soon,” I say with a watery smile.

He gives me a sad, tight lipped smile in response before stepping out of the bathroom. Ronan comes in right after him, dropping to the floor and pulling me into his lap. He cradles melike a wounded child, tucking me against his chest as he rocks me slightly. It’s calming, forcing me to relax for the first time since I woke up this morning.

“It’s almost time,” he murmurs against the crown of my head.

“I know,” I rasp, before slowly pulling myself to stand.

Ronan helps me, and I move to the counter to wash my face. Thankfully I knew I’d need to save makeup for last as I make sure to grab my waterproof mascara in case any more tears pop up. I do a half assed job that I’m sure I’ll be hearing about from my father later, but ask me if I care right now.

Once my makeup is done and my hair is brushed, I begin stripping out of my clothes until I’m completely naked. I undo the top, twenty or so buttons before slipping on the dress. Ronan steps forward, redoing them for me as I stand there like a doll for him to dress.

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