Chapter 43
I sit.
Then I stand.
Then I sit again.
My shoes are off, cause my feet ache like a fucking bitch. I tug at the sleeves of my dress, suddenly too aware of how ridiculous I look like this, just married and alone in a hospital.
A nurse peeks in. “He’s stable. The doctors are monitoring him. Severe allergy, but he will be fine p>
I nod. “Thank you p>
She hesitates. “Do you want to see him”
“No.” My answer comes out fast, toofast.
She gives me a look but doesn’t push, billionaire wife rules apply even here
I’m still standing when the door opens again.
Lucas walks in first.
He stops when he sights me.
Then Noah.
Then Caleb.
All three of them take me in from head to toe. The dress, my bare feet’s, the hospital wristband someone insisted on putting on me “just in case p>
Lucas breaks first, a slow knowing smile pulls at his mouth.
“You didn’t even make it to the reception sunshine ” he says.
“I swear,” I say immediately, lifting both hands. “I didn’t do anything p>
Noah lets out a quiet laugh. “Elaine p>
Caleb shakes his head, amused. “You absolutely did something p>
“I didn’t,” I insist. “Okay, I mean, not directly p>
Lucas crosses the room and sits on the arm of the couch, studying my face. “He’s in the hospital on your wedding day p>
“A total Coincidence,” I say.
Lucas snorts. “You poisoned him p>
“I did not poison him,” I say, offended. “I just wanted to inconvenienced him p>
Noah leans against the wall, arms crossed. “You’re smiling Elaine p>
I wipe any smile from my mouth immediately. “I am not p>
Caleb’s grin widens. “You are Just a little p>
Lucas sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. “Jesus. I leave you alone for five minutes p>
“He’s allergic to apples,” I say. “That’s public knowledge. Someone should’ve told me to not have my favorite comfort drink on my wedding day when I’m full of nerves and jittery because he’s allergic. It’s not really my fault you see p>
Lucas stares at me. Then he laughs. Full-on laughs. Drops his head back and laughs like he’s been holding it in all day.
“I knew it,” he says. “I knew you’d do something p>
Noah chuckles too, even Caleb can’t hide it.
“I told him,” Lucas adds, quieter now. “I told him not to underestimate you p>
The door opens again before I can respond.
Zane’s doctor steps in. “He’s asking for his wife p>
All three of my brothers look at me.
Lucas raises an eyebrow. “Your husband needs you p>
I groan. “Don’t call him that p>
“You married him,” Noah says. “In a chapel. With witnesses… lots of witnesses too p>
“Against my will,” I mutter.
Lucas stands and offers me his arm. “Go. Finish what you started p>
I hesitate.
Then I straighten my shoulders and walk out of the room, dress swishing softly against the floor.
Zane is propped up against white pillows when I enter, he looks really pale, he’s shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, an IV in his arm. Still annoyingly composed for someone who almost stopped breathing like an hour ago.
His eyes lift when he sees me.
Then they sharpen.
“Enjoy ing the show?” he asks quietly.
I stop at the foot of the bed. “You ruined my reception, and I was looking forward to that part of the reception, wanting to show off my husband to the people p>
A corner of his mouth lifts, clearly seeing my sarcasm. “You put me in the hospital p>
“Temporary,” I say. “You are fine… unfortunately p>
He watches me for a long moment. Then, “You planned it p>
I tilt my head. “Prove it p>
His gaze drops briefly to my dress. Then back to my face. “You’re dangerous p>
I smile, slow and unapologetic. “You married me anyway p>
Silence stretches between us.
Outside the room, I hear Lucas laugh again.
Zane exhales and closes his eyes. “This marriage is going to be hell p>
I lean in just enough for him to hear me. “That’s the idea p>
I move closer, not to the bed, just close enough that he has to tilt his head slightly to look at me. The machines hum quietly between us.
“For the record,” he says, voice low, “if I had died today, you would’ve gone down in history as the woman who murdered her husband before the cake was cut p>
I huff. “Oh please. You’d haunt me out of pure spite p>
His mouth twitches despite himself. “True p>
Silence stretches again, thicker this time. Not charged just heavy, with each of us deep in our thoughts.
I glance at the monitor, then back at him. “Why did you ask for me p>
He studies the ceiling for a moment before answering. “Because I wanted to see if you would actually come p>
“And if I had not p>
His jaw tightens. “Then at least I would know where we stand p>
I fold my arms. “You already know where we stand This is a marriage of convenience, I had to help my sister, I couldn’t stand and watch her get married to a monster like you p>
He looks at me for a while. ” you know you haven’t told me the real reason you agreed to this marriage p>
My heart sinks, but I plaster a perfect smile on my face and look at him straight in the eyess.
“I literally just told you the reason why, what more do you want to hear p>
“Yeah true true, but we both know you are hiding something, so I’ll have you know I’ll find out what it is little spitfire, you can’t hide forever p>
I swallow thickly and even though my heart is currently working over time, I keep that smile on my face intact not showing any signs I’m worried or nervous about him taking interest in my reason to agreeing to marrying him, even though ivy was one of the major reasons I still had another reason as to why I took her place, and I’ll be damned if him or any of my brothers find out until it’s time.
” I already told you the reason why Zane p>
“Yes,” he says calmly. “And you retaliated immediately p>
“Don’t flatter yourself. That wasn’t retaliation. That was foreplay p>
His eyes snap to mine.
Then he laughs. A short, incredulous sound like he doesn’t quite believe what he heard. And i might want to shoot myslf in the head later but i kind of liked hearing him laugh.
“You’re unbelievable p>
“You married me,” I remind him again.
“And im starting to think that was a mistake p>