Page 106 of Sardonic Burn

Alright, I didn’t mean that kind of help.

I’m still in the process of trying to annul the engagement, but I’m trying to do it as gently and maturely as possible. If nothing else, for the friendship Dylan and I have formed over the years together.

“That’s not true,” Dylan defends. “Okay, fine, it was a dick move, I admit, but having to wait another two months is torture for me, Noelle. I really just want to be your husband.”

A few months ago, that would’ve made me the happiest person alive. It would’ve made me grin, and it would’ve made me agree to this ridiculous request.

Now? It makes me want to vomit. I think I threw up in my mouth a little.

“We’ll discuss it tomorrow,” I say with a sigh, covering my eyes with my forearm. “For now, get lost. Both of you. I need some time alone.”

Reluctantly, Dylan agrees. He throws on his coat jacket and bids both of us goodbye before taking his leave. Only after I’m sure he’s out of the building do I rise back to my feet and stare at Niko.

“What just happened?”

“He’s an idiot,” Niko mumbles. “But no one is forcing you to do it. Think about it a little and then make a decision. Though, I have a feeling that you’ve already made it.”

I roll my eyes.

“Get lost and go get ready. It’ll be time soon.”

“Everyone else is done,” he says as he stands up. “They’re waiting for your signal. Don’t forget to wear your earpiece. And please, be careful.”

I roll my eyes and wave him off.

“Don’t worry.”

The chilly air from the window hits my face just as I’m finishing my makeup. Goosebumps tug on my skin, and I shiver, shaking the ominous feeling off. I’m almost ready to go, but there are too many things that are keeping my mind occupied for me to be focused.

For one, the speeding up of my marriage. I’ll tell Dylan tomorrow that the marriage is off the table and even pay him for the money he invested in the venue and everything wedding-related. However, the mere thought of telling him one-on-one brings a disturbance to the pit of my stomach, like an ache I can’t shake off, no matter how hard I try.

And the more important thing: Hudson still doesn’t know about it. He’s in the bathroom, fixing up his suit and tie. Despite wanting to tell him the moment he walked through the front door, I just… froze.

“Hey, Hudson,” I call over, putting on a small pair of diamond earrings. Tonight is all about showing off wealth insubtle moves. “Bring me some bobby pins from the second drawer.”

“In a second,” he yells back.

I’m dressed in a suit, too, with a pink tie. Tonight, Hudson and I will be matching completely. Our ties were hard to find, since I needed them to match the shade of his collar and muzzle perfectly. Eventually, I had them custom-made, much to Hudson’s dismay.

He still doesn’t like the idea, but he’s no longer protesting as loudly.

“Here.” He emerges from the bathroom, and I swear he takes my breath away.

His hair is perfectly slicked back, with one smaller strand falling over his face. His green eyes are shimmering, and I can tell that he’s ready to put this thing behind us and get it over with. And that suit? God, it looks like it was made just for him. It hugs his toned arms perfectly, and I’m barely able to take my eyes off him.

He throws me a teasing grin. “You can look, you know.” He hands me the bobby pins, and I grab the black veil, rolling my eyes.

“Not the time to be a flirt,” I mumble. “We should leave in the next fifteen minutes.”

The veil is made out of lace, and it will cover my face perfectly. It gives me enough coverage but doesn’t limit my vision too much. Unless someone knows it’s me, it’s unlikely they’d be able to recognize me.

Slowly, I start putting it on my head and securing it on my hair with the bobby pins. I don’t notice how much my hands are shaking until Hudson grabs both and places soft kisses on the back of each one.

“It’s not too late for me to go alone, Noelle,” he murmurs, lips still on my hands.

Why are my hands no longer shaking? It’s terrifying just how much power Hudson has over me. This has never happened to me before, and I’m not sure how to act and behave.

“I can’t back down,” I say with a deep breath. “I’m fine. I’m just anxious.”

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