Chapter 75
Adeline Wear
The bustle around the house hadn’t dowed down all morning Elena, ever the perfections, was talking rapidly with the makeup artist while flipping through a series of photos on her phone, showing off ideas for tomorrow’s look. Her excitement was contagious, but my mind kept drifting–tomorrow was my wedding day, yet my foghts seemed to lance around everything but the ceremony itself.
“Adeline, you’ve got to focus Elena’s teasing voice pulled me out of my trance. She smirked at me from across the mom “This is your wedding we’re planning, not a board meeting Earth to the brider
Phuckled, shaking off my distracted thoughts. “I know, I know. It’s just a lot.” I sighed, fiddling with the engagement ring on my finger, my heart fluttering at the thought of walking down the aisle with Sebastian.
Just then, the door flew open, and Bridget bounded in, her hair bouncing as she ran straight to me. Tristan was right behind her, his face slightly more serious but still excited as ever.
“Mommy, look! Auntie Elena said I could wear this flower crown tomorrow!” Bridget held up a delicate crown of stall white flowers, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“It’s perfect for you,” I said, pulling her into my lap. “You’ll look like a princess.”
Bridget beamed, but then, with the same innocence that always caught me off guard, she blurted out, “Can we invite Toy Man to the wedding too?”
My chest tightened. Toy Man. Killian. The name Bridget had affectionately given him when they first met. She had no idea the storm of emotions that name stirred inside me. The last thing I wanted was to think about him, let alone have him anywhere near the wedding.
Before I could respond, I glanced at Tristan, who had gone noticeably quiet. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his eyes darkened with an intensity I wasn’t used to seeing in him. It was subtle, but there–anger. That look itself made me freeze in place. I saw that look somewhere. It was too familiar.
“Tristan?” I asked softly, suddenly concerned. “Are you okay?”
His gaze flickered to mine, then away quickly. “I don’t want him there,” he muttered, almost too quietly for anyone else to hear.
A chill ran down my spine. “What? Why?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. Bridget might not understand the complexities of my history with Killian, but Tristan… Tristan was more observant, more aware of the things happening around him than I sometimes gave him credit for.
“I just don’t,” he said flatly, folding his arms over his chest and staring at the floor.
Bridget frowned, her confusion apparent. “But I like Toy Man. He’s fun!”
“Bridget-“I started, but before I could say anything more, Elena stepped in, sensing the growing tension in the room.
“How about we focus on something more exciting, like your dress fitting later?” Elena said brightly, pulling Bridget’s attention away. “I’m sure you’re going to love it!”
Bridget’s eyes lit up again, and she seemed to forget the conversation entirely. But Tristan… his reaction lingered in my mind. What had caused him to suddenly dislike Killian? The last time they saw each other, Tristan seemed indifferent at best -far from this cold anger I was sensing now.
I watched as he moved to sit by the window; his back turned slightly, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was going on. Had something happened between him and Killian that I didn’t know about?
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Chap 79
buck on the door interrupted my thoughts, and when 1 looked up, Sebastian was standing in the doorway, a warm
fare He glued wound the room before his eyes landed on me, and I could see the love and excitement in his
“Busy day?” he add, crossing the room in a few long wrides.
Underment of the year lens guipped, making the makeup artist laugh as the moved to gather her things, giving us som privy,
Seawed, then turned his attention back to me, his hand resting, gently on my shoulder. “How are you holding
okay? I said, though my thoughts were still spinning I glanced back at Tristan, who remained quiet by the window, and mething inside me twisted
Sebastion followed my gaze, his brow furrowing slightly before turning back to me. “Everything alright?”
“I think so, 1 murmured, still watching Tristan carefully, “He’s just… I don’t know. Something’s off
Sebastian kneeled beside me, lowering his voice so only 1 could hear. “He’s probably just nervous about tomorrow. It’s a big change for all of you”
“I guess,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if that was the whole story, Sebastian gently squeezed my hand, offering me a reassuring smile,
“Hey,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “Tomorrow is going to be perfect. You, me, the kids–we’ll finally be a family, Don’t let anything or anyone make you doubt that.”
1 smiled, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. Sebastian had a way of making me feel safe and grounded, and his words reminded me of why I had agreed to marry him in the first place.
1 smiled, and he kissed me gently,
But just as our lips met, I caught a glimpse of Tristan from the corner of my eye. He was watching us, and something about the look on his face sent a pang of guilt through me. There was a hardness in his eyes, a distance I hadn’t noticed before. Had he seen more than I thought? Did he know about the argument Killian and I had the other night?
I didn’t want to believe it, but Tristan had always been so intuitive, so sharp. If he had overheard anything that night, it would explain why he was acting this way now. My heart sank at the thought that he had witnessed that ugly moment.
I pulled away from Sebastian, smiling at him briefly before standing and walking over to Tristan. He didn’t look up as I approached, his eyes still fixed on the view outside the window.
“Tristan, honey,” I said softly, crouching down beside him. “Is everything okay?”
He shrugged, his face still a mask of indifference. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” I pressed, placing a hand on his knee. “You can tell me if something’s bothering you.”
For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, without looking at me, he muttered, “I don’t like him.”
I blink, confused, “Who?”
“Killian,” he said, his voice suddenly sharper. “He made you cry,”
My heart dropped, So, he had seen it. He had heard everything. I didn’t know what to say or how to explain to him that it wasn’t as simple as that and that there was so much more to the story.
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Chapter 75
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“Tristan…” I started, but he cut me off.
“I don’t care if Bridget likes him. He hurt you. I don’t want him here.”
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His words were like a punch to the gut, and I had to fight back the tears that threatened to spill over. Tristan was only a child, but in that moment, I saw the protectiveness in him–the way he wanted to shield me from the world. And it broke my heart that he had to witness something so painful.
I pulled him into my arms, holding him tightly. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “But I promise, everything is going to be okay.”
He didn’t say anything, but he hugged me back, his small body trembling slightly. I kissed the top of his head, wishing I
ould take away all the hurt and all the confusion.
“Mommy?” Bridget’s voice broke through the silence, and I looked over at her, standing with Elena and Sebastian, her innocent eyes wide and curious.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Is everything okay?”
I smiled softly, wiping away the tears that had slipped down my cheeks. “Everything’s fine, baby. Everything’s fine.”
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