Page 74 of Seal My Fate

“Let her spit out a couple of kids first. You need that heir.”

“She’ll be so busy with the babies, that’s when you get the mistress set up.”

“But you don’t marry that one, gives her ideas. You wait until after the divorce is final, so you can be rid of the both of them, and onto greener pastures.”

“And by that, he means tighter pussy!”

There’s a chorus of laughter, and I take another drink.

Fuck. When did these guys get so… bitter? I’ve known every man in this room at least half my life, if not more: boarding school, university clubs, and all the same parties. Our parents were friends, and so here we all are. But somehow, I barely recognize them anymore. Hairlines are receding, torsos are bulging with middle-aged spread, and there’s a cruelty in their jokes I don’t recognize anymore, complaining about their wives and children, like a prison sentence somebody forced them into taking.

When I think about the possibility of Tessa agreeing to marry me, giving me the chance to be herhusband…

It takes my breath away. I can’t think of a greater honor in the world than seeing my ring on her finger, and,Christ, her belly swollen with my child one day…

“See, Saint’s doing it the right way,” Max’s cousin raises his glass to me. “Fresh meat every term up at Ashford College. Nice young fillies looking for an education.”

“Lucky bastard.”

“Got that American girl on rotation, isn’t that right?” The cousin smirks. “Love the Yanks, they’re always gagging for it. Filthy sluts.”

I finish the rest of my drink, and slowly rise to my feet. “Care to say that again?” I ask quietly.

The man’s smile crumbles, as he realizes I could easily tear him limb from limb. And I may well do just that.

“Woah there. Just a little banter, that’s all.”

I wait with a cool glare.

“Sorry,” he offers, looking nervous. “Good for you. She seems like a lovely girl.”

I sigh. Giving the best man a bloody nose wouldn’t exactly help this wedding run smoothly, and God knows Annabelle has enough on her plate with the groom, so I restrain the urge to punch him in his smug face.

“Is there any coffee coming?” I ask instead, eyeing Max. It’s time he sobered up. The man can drink like nobody else, but it would be better if he wasn’t literally stumbling down the aisle.

“There’s supposed to be a full wait staff,” someone offers.

“I’ll go see.”

“Send the pretty one, that blonde!”

I leave them to their self-satisfied laughter. I feel restless, this damn formal outfit too constricting, and I know only one thing could make me feel like myself again.

One person.

Tessa.

I smile, heading to where the bridal party is gathered. Even in the midst of all this chaos, the thought of her is like a breath of fresh air. She’s changed everything for me, I realize. She opened my eyes to the corruption and seedy lies soaked into the fabric of my privileged society.

I thought that simply turning my back on it and forging my own path in life was enough, frittering away my time with parties and women, like that was any better. Until she demanded more from me.

Justice. Honor.

Doing what’s right, instead of the easy way out.

Now, I know I want to be that man. A man she can be proud to call her own.

“You’re lost,” Imogen’s voice breaks through my thoughts, amused. “This is bride central. No boys allowed.”

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