Chapter 242
288 Vouchers
Chapter 242
The thought fills me with a strange mix of emotions–excitement, anticipation, nerves. And sadness. Because as much as I want to focus on the joy of marrying the man I love, the man I was always meant to be with, there’s an ache in my chest that I can’t ignore.
My father won’t be there.
Soren called the hospital this morning. He finally got through to my mother after days of trying, and she promised to be here tomorrow before the ceremony. I’m relieved, of course. I want her here, need her here. But when he asked about my father, the answer was the same as it’s been for weeks.
He’s still in a coma from some infection after his operation.
I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands as I twist the thin gold bracelet around my wrist. My vision blurs as tears well up, and I blink rapidly, trying to push them back.
I’ve always dreamed of this day. Of walking down the aisle in a beautiful dress, my father’s arm looped through mine as he gives me away to the man who would spend the rest of his life loving me. My father hated Rhett he never approved of him. And now I know why.
I thought he was being overprotective, too stubborn to let me make my own choices. now I realize he was only trying to protect me.
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And now, when I’m finally marrying the man of my dreams, a man he would have approved of, the man who treats me with the respect and love I deserve. he’s not here.
My throat tightens, and a tear slips down my cheek, trailing hot and heavy over my skin. I swipe it away angrily, frustrated at myself for letting the sadness take hold, it’s selfish given the circumstances when an entire castle is mourning. I should be happy. I am happy.
The door creaks open softly, and look up to see Soren stepping into the room. He’s still in his suit from the day’s preparations, though his tie is loosened, and the sleeves of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows. There’s a weariness in his eyes, but when he sees me, his expression softens.
“Hey,” he says gently, closing the door behind him. “You’ve been quiet all afternoon. Are you okay?”
I force a small smile, even though my chest feels like it’s caving in. “Just thinking.”
He crosses the room in a few long strides, sitting down beside me on the bed. His hand finds mine, warm and steady, and he squeezes it lightly. “About tomorrow?”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “And about my dad.” My voice cracks, and I hate how weak I sound, but I can’t help it. “He should be here, Soren. He should be the one to walk me down the aisle. He should get to know that I’m finally with someone he’d be proud of.”
Soren doesn’t say anything right away. He just pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. His chin rests on the top of my head, and I can feel the steady beat of his heart.
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against my ear. “I know I’m being stupid with everything going on, I just never realized how much I wanted him here. With Rhett I think that is also why I kept pushing the wedding back, changing the details, thinking he would come around. He didn’t, and now I have you and once again he won’t be here for my wedding.”
“I wish he could be here too,” he says softly. “I know how much he means to you, but your mother will be here.”
Tears spill over, I pull back slightly, wiping at my face with the back of my hand. “Sorry,” I mumble, embarrassed by my outburst.
“Don’t apologize,” Soren says firmly, brushing a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb. “You don’t have to hide how you’re feeling, Aubrey. Not with me.”
I take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. “I just. I wanted him to see me happy. To know that I finally found someone who loves me.”
“He knows,” Soren says quietly, his eyes filled with certainty. “He might not be here in person, but he knows.”
I nod, clutching his hand tightly in mine. “Now you better get downstairs, my mother is about to pitch a fit at the designers because they moved her archway” he chuckles. I sigh and get to my feet.
