Page 46 of Contract Of Shame

Epilogue

Tony glanced at one of his best friends. Since marrying Scarlet and having a baby together Richard constantly looked married and smug about it. The only other time he had looked so happy was when the adoption papers had been finalised. Scarlet’s son now had a father.

Four years had passed since his friend had taken the leap. Both Wayne and Richard were happily married with a few kids.

“What do you mean you can’t find Opal?” Tony asked.

“She’s not in any of the rooms at the church, and the priest has said she didn’t go to confession. I’ve got to find her. The parents are freaking out.” Richard looked around, frantic.

“We’ll find her.” Tony wouldn’t mention he already knew where she’d run to.

He left his friends in their search. Past the graveyard and through the small orchard at the bottom of the church he found Opal on one of the last remaining swings. Her white dress billowed all around her. Tears stained her cheeks, and she must have been wearing one of those water proof mascaras because it hadn’t run down her face. For a bride on her wedding day, she looked like shit.

Her blond hair fell down in curls. He personally loved the length of her hair, and he liked that fact she kept it that way. So many times he’d seen fashion columns criticise her for the length of her hair and the body that they described as unfashionably full.

“I thought I’d find you here,” he said moving behind her.

She jumped but calmed when she saw it was he.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you doing here, petal? You’re supposed to be a blushing bride.” Unable to resist he ran his fingers through her curls. Pastel pink flowers had been decorated through her hair.

“Blushing bride. That’s a laugh.” He heard the bitterness in her voice, and he waited like other times for her to talk. “Do you know why I’m getting married today?” she asked.

Tony shook his head.

“Because it’s good for business. Most women on their big day are getting married because they’re in love or want to be with the person they’re walking down the aisle with.”

“Is that why you’re walking down the aisle?”

“Good for business. I hate him. Charles is a fucking liar and a cheat,” she s. The tears were coming down thick and fast.

“Don’t swear, petal.”

“You know what he was doing last night?”

“No.”

“While I was being convinced by my parents about how good a union is between us, he was fucking his mistress. Don’t ask how I know. I just know. When I told mum about it, she said we make sacrifices for the men we love.”

Tony heard her snort.

“I can’t marry that man, Tony. I’ve never been with anyone. I wanted my first time to be with someone I love. Charles will jump from the bed of his mistress to mine. I can’t do it. Please don’t make me go back.”

She turned and latched onto him. Tony held her while she cried. His heart strings were pulled by her unhappiness.

“Are you sure you won’t ever want to be married to Charles?” In truth he thought the bastard was a snivelling little shit. He couldn’t believe her parents had set her up with him. The girl was twenty, and they’d had her life planned out from the start.

“One hundred percent. Look at me, Tony. He’ll hate me and try to change who I am. No one likes me. Scarlet told me I had to follow my heart, and my heart is telling me to run, as far and as fast as I can.”

He couldn’t argue with that. Quickly thinking on his feet, he made a decision. Tony adored Opal, and he didn’t want to see her hurt.

“Go back to church, and I’ll help.” He held a finger over her lips and followed her back to the church. Richard thanked him, and Tony sat in the back of a pew.

The music started up and Opal walked down with a bouquet of white roses. She stared at him with begging eyes. Tony couldn’t ignore her desperation, and he sat and waited.

Throughout it all the bride looked like she was about to collapse.