Page 37 of Vengeful Union

“I’ll come back later for the shoes.”

She shrugs and heads to the counter while I peruse the veils. I choose a long one with pearls around the crown. Something about the pearls just screams Lara.

Soo rings me up, and I scribble down my address for her.

“I’ll call if I need alterations.”

She nods, smiling and running my father’s credit card, which goes through with no issues even though it’s close to what my apartment costs in a year.

Next, I head to another boutique to pick up some clothes for Lara. I go with a size six, picking out some high-waisted shorts, a navy-blue, simple shift dress, a few tops and some cotton panties. I have no idea what to get her in terms of bras, so I just grab a couple of sports bras in a size small and hope for the best.

When I check out, the cashier looks at me curiously. “Someone having a birthday?”

I shake my head. “Just need some new things for my fiancée.”

The words sound strange coming out of my mouth. I don’t think I’ve ever bought clothes for a woman before. I’ve never been in a serious relationship, not since high school.

My life was always so complicated with who my father was that as an adult, I didn’t want to get anyone else wrapped up in it.

Then work took over, and well... I just haven’t gotten back on the horse, so to speak.

I hurry back home because it’s almost time for dinner, and I can smell it cooking when I walk in–our cook, Kristina, is making her famous shepherd's pie. I can smell the lamb cooking.

My mouth waters.

I haven’t eaten much since all this got started. I’ve been so anxious and busy with everything.

I take the stairs two at a time, but I knock softly on my own bedroom door before trying the knob.

Lara sits in the middle of the bed, wearing my clothes, cross-legged, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

My throat clenches.

I hate to see women cry. It’s like a particular weakness of mine.

“What’s wrong?” I ask softly, and she looks up at me with watery green eyes.

That may be a stupid question. I mean, she’s here against her will, away from her family....

“Nothing.” She sniffles, wiping at her eyes.

I sit on the edge of the bed gingerly, looking at her as if she’s a wounded animal that may attack me if I’m not careful.

“We’re supposed to earn each other’s trust, honey. Don’t lie to me.”

I expect her to say, “Don’t call me honey,” but she doesn’t, just wiping at her eyes with the heels of her hands.

She takes a shaking breath. “I always thought my father would walk me down the aisle.”

I wince. “Well, there’s time still, for that, isn’t there?”

Lara glares at me. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“This isn’t forever,” I promise her. “After this is all over, we can get the marriage annulled. We can go back to our lives.”

Lara sniffles again. “I want to believe that.”

“I’ll show you.” I reach across the bed to take her hand.

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