Page 70 of Dex

“Must we have a reception?”

“Of course, we must have a reception, filha.”My mother looks at me like I’m a child demanding the impossible.“If the wedding is small, we need a big party.We must invite those we couldn’t invite to the wedding.”

I force a smile.“Okay.”

But I don’t feel okay.

My heart races at the thought of my impending wedding day.It was hard enough putting on a show in front of Raquel.But with my parents watching?And guests?I’m not comfortable duping so many people.

“It will be fine,” my mother assures me.

“It has to be.”

One day, when this is all over, when I meet the man of my dreams, I’ll give my parents a real wedding.I’m not big on weddings myself, but I know they would want something more than what Paul Knight has orchestrated.I feel so controlled by this man already, and I hate it.

“I’ll get the coffee,” my mother says, and bustles out of the room.

“Two weeks,” my father murmurs.“He gave us two weeks.”

“Why is this happening so fast, Papai?”I need to know the reason behind this.

“It benefits both of us, Daniela.”

It feels like a boulder is resting on my chest.“Papai… is there something you’re not telling me?”

His jaw clenches, and I brace myself.“The company, filha.Things change.We could use the cash injection sooner rather than later.”

I nod.“Of course.I’ll be living there for a year.”

“I know, filha.”He looks so sad that it breaks my heart.

Why are we doing this?

Surely marrying Oscar Ramos would be easier?I wouldn’t have to move abroad, and I can handle the devil I know better than the devil I don’t.

But … Oscar Ramos.I shiver involuntarily.This is a marriage on paper, and I feel confident that Dexter won’t breach any boundaries, but I can’t say the same for Oscar.

This is better.This way.The Knight way.

“Will Paul Knight visit here often?”

“He’ll run the company remotely,” my father informs me.“He’ll have a few of his people installed here, for the duration of the year.”

I bite my lip.“That’s what I expected.”But my spirits sag already with the confirmation that he’ll mostly be in New York, and most likely a part of my life, in some way or another.

“Sleep now, filha.”My father’s voice softens.“You don’t have to go to work tomorrow.Take a day off.Prepare for your wedding, for the things you need; your wedding dress, your clothes and whatever else a bride needs.”

I already know I won’t be going anywhere.I’ll order everything online.“I’ll invite a few of my friends,” I murmur.“Most of them were international students anyway.”

“Raquel will be here, no?”

“She’s my closest childhood friend, I couldn’t possibly dream of getting married without her.”But all the same, I hate that I’m lying to her.I will need her by my side.For support, even if she doesn’t know much.My parents will have their closest friends and extended families.

And the rest?

The Knights.

This wedding is going to be so much fun.

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