Page 181 of Hidden Ties

“When I’m done with them, they’ll be too afraid to tell their doctor when they shit last.”

“Then I’ll leave them in your capable hands.” Smoothing the front of his suit jacket, he tucked his tie back. “By the way, ask him where he bought his suit.”

“I’ll put it on the top of my list.”

“Isn’t your wedding anniversary next week?” Kent asked casually.

“Yeah, so?”

“Check between the cushions where Mrs. Ashwood is sitting. Grace deserves something for being married to you.”

FORTY-TWO

Self-consciously holding the small pink and white wedding bouquet, Sage couldn’t help but look out of the corner of her eye at the guests who had shown up to witness Creed and her wedding. Creed had texted her to ask who she wanted to invite, but she hadn’t bothered to reply. She didn’t want to invite anyone to witness a marriage she had no intention of lasting.

He had used her, so she would use him. She would stay long enough for him to find proof that Victoria had hired someone to kill her, find a job, and fall out of love with him.

Bringing her focus back onto him, she thought that may be easier said than done.

Wearing a tan suit, paired with a blue tie and brown shoes, Creed looked sophisticated and so handsome that he had jumpstarted her broken heart when she saw him waiting for her outside the small chapel he had rented.

Thankfully, Glory wouldn’t stop insisting she wear the dress she had worn to her bridal shower. The ankle-length white dress was a beautiful A-line chiffon dress. As she walked, the flowy material made her feel as light as the flowers Creed had given her when she met him at the door of the chapel.

Expecting only to find out who Creed had found to perform the ceremony and who he had chosen to witness it, she was surprised to find several people she didn’t know were waiting inside.

Tears filled her eyes when she spotted Twister sitting in the front pew. His happy expression when she walked down the aisle brought a sense of guilt that she was about to marry his son when she didn’t want to.

There were other guests sitting in the pews, whom she had no idea who they were. Most of the guests were men who appeared uncomfortable in their suits. A lone woman was sitting in the last pew, wearing a dark teal, sleeveless satin dress. The high neck accented the graceful curve of her tanned shoulders. Whoever the stunning woman was, their eyes met briefly as she walked past. There was a flicker of pain in her eyes, which Sage instantly recognized, and a sense of recognition connected them in that moment. Both were in love with the same man. Both had been hurt by him. The shared moment made her look away, or she would never be able to go through with the ceremony.

She didn’t expect to find any of her friends, so when her eyes fell on Tayla then Glenda sitting beside a man Sage surmised was her husband, it brought a brief surge of optimism. The feeling lasted only as long as it took for her to remember carrying lunch to Creed in his office, wanting to surprise him, only to find herself the one surprised.

Creed saying his vows was the hardest part. She didn’t believe he meant a word when he saidto love and cherish. She wanted to use her wedding bouquet to hit him when he promised to be faithful. It took everything she could do to repeat her own vows, right up to the point where she omitted one part, rewording it tountil we do part. She’d barely managed to keep her gaze centered on Creed at the snickers of laughter coming from the pews.

During the exchange of the rings, embarrassment filled her that she hadn’t thought to get Creed one. He slid a delicate square diamond on her finger, which she didn’t want to know how expensive it was. It fit perfectly next to a matching diamond band.

His hand caught hers before she could pull it back. When she felt cold metal touch the palm of her hand, she closed her fingers around the ring he had pressed there.

She slid the thick matching ring to her set onto his finger; hers were trembling so badly Creed had to help her. Unable to look at him because she didn’t want him to see the tears in her eyes, she barely heard the official pronounce them man and wife.

She tilted her head back for his kiss, forcing herself not to turn her head away. His firm lips closed over her quivering ones as he lifted her into his arms, leaving her feet dangling mid-air.

After his ritualistic kiss, Creed placed her back on her feet, then turned them to face their guests. Twister stepped forward with broad smile of happiness that made her fake hers; she didn’t want to dim his enjoyment, or the others who had come.

She let Creed do all the talking when their guests took turns wishing them congratulations.

The best part of the ceremony was when Creed made excuses for them to leave, promising them he had arranged a reception in their new home this weekend so her sister and nieces would be able to be there.

“Was the ceremony okay?” he asked once they were in the car.

“It would have been perfect if I had wanted to be there.” Hating herself for her bitchy comment, she curled her nails into the palms of her hands.

“You’re not going to give me a break anytime soon, are you?”

From his expression, he didn’t seem to care if she did or didn’t.

“If you are asking if I’m going to forgive you for having sex with Livvy, have me fired from my job, and making me marry you when you could have helped me without asking anything in return, thenno, I’m never going to forgive you.”

“At least one of us has no problem being honest,” he joked, not disconcerted at her comeback.

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