Page 69 of Merciless Sinner

“Thanks for allowing me to do your makeup.”

“It was fun, and it feels like a good luck charm.”

She laughs. “You definitely don’t need luck. But what you do need is these.”

She walks over to the dressing table and picks up the bouquet of white Calla lilies.

“Thank you.” I take them from her when she hands them to me.

“You are so welcome. I know you’re nervous, but I’m so happy to be part of this day. When we were little, we used to always play dress-up and pretend we were at each other’s weddings. Now we’re doing it for real.” Her smile spreads right to her eyes.

“I wish I could remember.”

“I have hope you will, but if you don’t, we have today. And I know you’ll be okay.” She sounds so sure. I decide to borrow some of her enthusiasm. “I’m so happy for you.”

There's a knock at the door before I can answer. Eden walks in.

She’s usually in her maid’s uniform, but today she’s dressed in a beige suit that compliments her curvy figure. Her gray hair is rolled into a neat chignon and a chip hate placed in the center with blue peacock feathers adorning the center.

“Wow, you look absolutely stunning, dear,” she beams in a melodious voice while looking me over with fascination.

“Thanks to you guys.” It was Eden who picked this dress for me.

“You mother would have loved to see you like this.” Eden brings her hands to her cheeks and moves closer to give me a little hug.

“She would,” Amelia agrees. “I’m sure she’s smiling down at you right now feeling proud.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Eden concedes.

Hearing them speak so fondly about my mother when I can’t even remember her makes me feel sad. According to everything Seamus and Cillian told me, I know they’re right.

“Well, they’re ready for you.” Eden composes herself. “Your groom awaits. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

The three of us walk through the door. Eden leads us to a massive hall with stained glass windows, and I see Seamus waiting for me. He’s walking me down the aisle. I don’t have a massive wedding party. Only Amelia and Eden.

There are friends from high school who are in attendance, but I haven’t bonded with them the way I have with Amelia.

Seamus smiles and greets me with a hug. On his face is a proud father look.

“Look at you. You look breathtaking.” He looks me over with that good-natured warmth.

“Thank you.”

“I’m so glad I get to do this.”

“Me too.”

He links his arm with mine, and moments later, the two oakwood doors to the hall open before us and the violinists start playing the Wedding March.

The moment we walk in, my eyes find Virgo standing at the head of the room with Dante on his left and the priest on his right.

My heart flutters at the sight of him standing there looking so handsome in his suit and staring at me as if I’m the most important thing in his world.

My mind fazes out as I realize I am. But I still feel like an imposter wearing someone else’s skin and like I stole this man from the woman he remembers me to be.

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