Page 151 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim
“I shouldn’t…”
Margaux encourages me. “You only live once.”
Since recent events have proved I can’t predict the future, I shrug. “Why not?”
The woman looks at Margaux. “Another lavender and oat-milk latte?”
“Please.”
When we’re finally alone, I raise an eyebrow. “Since when do you drink lavender?”
She shrugs. “Since I started figuring out who I am.”
That gets me. Because of the way we were raised, she’d never really had that chance.
An awkward silence wraps around us before she clutches her ceramic mug. “I miss you.”
I give her a half smile.
“I’m sorry, Isla. For everything. I had no idea…”
Looking at her, I wait.
“I couldn’t stay.” Her voice cracks. “Not after what I found.”
“You left me with a wedding gown that didn’t fit and a man I tricked into marrying me.”
She sighs and shakes her head. “I never meant for you to take my place.”
“What did you think would happen?”
“I guess…” She looks at me, her eyes wide. “I expected the whole damn thing to be called off. I couldn’t imagine Dad would force you to take my place.”
“With the financial troubles they have?” Surely she can’t be that naive.
She reaches for my hand, and I let her take it. Her touch is warm. Familiar. We sit in the silence for a moment, letting it stretch and settle before she speaks again. “It’s more than that. Why I left, I mean.”
“More?”
Our beverages are delivered, interrupting our conversation.
I take the first sip of the mocha, and it’s silky smooth, making me momentarily close my eyes.
“Oh my God! Are you for real?”
Confused by her question, I set down my mug and look at her. “What?”
“Your ring! A pink diamond?Pink?What the hell?”
“Uhm…”
“He could have bought another building with as much as that thing cost.”
I start to protest, but I’m sure she’s right.
“It’s much more spectacular than the one he bought me. It actually looks likeyou.”
“The three of us designed it together.”
