Chapter 165
165 –The Bride’s Arrival
Madeline:
It was difficult for me to accept, but ever since Yuvonne had been stabbed the other day, Baxter had not come to see me or tried to contact me.
I understood then that he was taking his engagement seriously, and I had been foolish to have second thoughts about marrying Elgin to protect my children.
So I forced myself to push every thought of him out of my mind.
As I moved forward, I noticed Graham and Kaylee standing near the side of the garden.
The moment Kaylee saw me, her expression tightened.
She looked at me with clear disdain.
Her light–colored dress and her hair tied in a bun, with loose strands framing her face, looked good on her, but her confidence seemed dim.
I guessed it was because of the way Graham looked from her to me.
It was obvious he had been staring at me with admiration.
Kaylee noticed it as well. Her lips pressed tighter, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
I saw Graham trying to approach me, but I walked past them without stopping, moving toward the other side of the garden where other guests stood.
The music softened, and the chatter grew louder. It was time for the bride and groom to arrive.
My stomach tightened when I turned around and saw Yuvonne and Baxter walk into the garden through the
passage.
She wore a beautiful purple gown that caught the light easily.
Baxter walked beside her in a light blue suit.
The sight made something heavy settle inside me, and I could not ignore how uneasy I felt.
I watched Baxter and Yuvonne step farther into the garden, and I felt his eyes land on mine almost instantly.
There was a brief pause in his body language before he continued walking, but his stare held mine in place.
There was something deep in it, and it made something warm and painful rise in my chest.
I tried to hold his gaze for a moment, but the sight of his hand wrapped around Yuvonne’s arm forced me to look
away.
I lowered my eyes and breathed out slowly, hoping it would calm the pain running through me.
When I looked up again, I noticed how Yuvonne was clinging to his arm.
Her fingers curled around his sleeve as if she believed someone might come after her again.
She kept a soft smile on her face, but her grip on him stayed firm.
Baxter glanced down at her and tapped the back of her hand gently, a small gesture to show her she was safe with
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105 The Bride & Arrival
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him.
The simple touch made my throat tighten. I reached out and took a glass of wine from a passing server.
“Thank you, ” I murmured quietly as I lifted the glass to my lips, hoping it would distract me even a little.
Behind the couple were their parents.
His mother, Eugenia, looked around the garden with a stiff expression.
She had not followed the theme properly.
She wore a black and white dress, and the colors made her stand out sharply among the bright decorations.
She did not smile. She examined the arrangements with a calm but distant stare.
Even though I knew she had ordered the engagement and helped plan the setting, the way she looked around, unimpressed, made it clear she expected everything to be perfect.
She was the mother of an alpha. She knew nobody would dare comment on her behavior.
Behind Eugenia were my father and my stepmother.
My stepmother walked in a bright pink gown, smiling widely as she held my father’s arm.
He wore a gray suit and nodded politely at the people around him.
They both looked proud of their daughter for getting an alpha.
That much was obvious. But not once did my father look at me.
I watched him for several seconds, waiting for even a single glance, but he did not raise his head in my
Something inside me weakened even more.
I knew he would never have been this happy for me if it had been my engagement.
Everything around me felt heavier for a moment.
My mate was getting engaged. My best friends were distant.
My father did not want to acknowledge me.
direction.
My chest tightened, and my wolf pushed hard inside me, letting out silent howls because our mate was with someone else.
I knew the mate bond would make tonight painful.
Baxter and Yuvonne stepped onto the raised platform.
The music grew louder for a moment, then faded away as the hall quieted down.
Eugenia stepped forward gracefully, moving with the calm confidence of someone who liked being watched.
She picked up the microphone, lifting her chin slightly.
Her movements were slow and elegant, almost like she had practiced for this day.
She glanced at the guests before her eyes landed on me.
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165–The Bride’s Arrival
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A smirk appeared on her lips, almost like a challenge, or a reminder that I was still standing here alone, even after
so many years.
“Today is a special day,” she announced, her voice carrying across the garden.
She paused as she tightened her grip on the microphone.
“My only son is getting engaged. I hope this day brings them a peaceful future. I hope everything goes well for them from here p>
She finished with a smile that did not reach her
eyes.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.