Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I laughed, feeling grateful I still could at a time like this. I opened my mouth to reply, but my grandmother and mom walked in.
“Oh, sweetheart!” Mom greeted, walking toward me with my grandmother beside her. “You look perfect! Absolutely perfect!”
“Wow,” Grandmother breathed out, taking in my wedding gown. “You’re stunning, Belle. Pictures aren’t going to do you justice. That dress on you… Tristian is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“Are you only saying this in hopes that I’ll be happy about this arranged marriage of convenience?”
Paige spun around. “I’m going to give you guys some privacy.” She left, closing the door behind her.
Once she was gone, Grandmother confessed, “I understand more than anyone what you’re going through. I didn’t get to meet your grandfather until our wedding day, so you can imagine—”
“Your wedding day? That’s horrible.”
She agreed, “I thought it was too at the time, but your grandfather was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“If you think I’m going to follow in your footsteps and fall madly in love with Tristian, then let me stop you right there. The only emotion I have for that man is hatred. Deep. Rooted. Hatred.”
“Belle…” Mom coaxed.
“Ugh! Why is no one on my side?” I threw the paper on the coffee table and then sat on the couch. Leaning forward, I placed my pounding head in between my hands. “I grew up with no say in anything. Not in what I wore, who I talked to, where I went, or what I did. Nothing! I fought so hard for this life I’ve made for myself. Proving to everyone, including our family, that I wasn’t just Chance Montgomery’s granddaughter.”
“And we’re so beyond proud of you for that, Belle.”
“I know, Mom.”
I felt them sit beside me, placing their hands on my back. They rubbed up and down in a comforting gesture.
“I promise it’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be. I speak from experience. From what I’ve seen of Beau’s grandson, he’s devastatingly handsome. Have you seen the body on that man?”
“Grandmother!” I stared at her with wide eyes.
“What? I’m married, not dead.”
“She’s right, Belle. He truly is a catch. You’re going to make the most beautiful babies.”
“Babies?” I replied, caught off guard. “Why is everyone acting like this marriage is normal?”
“Are you nervous about tonight?” Grandmother questioned, smirking. “You don’t have to be anxious, sweetheart. You’re a Montgomery, and we know how to please our men.”
“Oh my God… Please someone kill me now.”
“Do you need some pointers?”
“Grandmother, you can stop talking now.”
This was the first time she was speaking to me like this. I guessed getting married was her invitation to openly discuss sex with me now.
“I’m just say—”
“I know what you’re just saying, and I don’t need to hear the rest.”
“Belle, there’s no need to play coy,” Mom implied. “I think it’s lovely you’re marrying your first love. He was your first at other things too?”
“Okay.” I tensely stood. “This was a great talk. I think I’m ready to go jump off a bridge now.”
As if on cue, the wedding planner walked in. “We’re ready when you are, Belle.”
“I’m never going to be ready, so let’s get this over with.”
And the sad thing was, I meant every last word of that statement.
Chapter 7
—Tristian—
The number of reporters outside of the church was fucking insane. Of course, my grandfather was insistent on answering every question the press threw at him as he walked into the church, making sure to pay tribute to his family. Most of the guests I didn’t know from a hole in the wall. I recognized the faces of the men who mattered; they were the only ones of importance to me.
There I was…
Turning the pages, opening the next chapters of my life with a woman I never thought I’d see again. To have Belle in my life, not just once, but twice, wasn’t lost on me. If anything, it only made me appreciate this second chance that much more. I tried to keep my mind focused on the present. However, I couldn’t help but remember the last time we were at a celebration of this magnitude.
Belle’s debutante ball.
I wasn’t supposed to be there, though that didn’t stop me. I showed up for the girl who’d always meant something to me. From the first time I talked to her, Belle had the ability to take me out of myself. It was easy to let my guard down around her. Right from the start, she was different from all the other girls. Our families rivalry might have been my initial draw to her, but it quickly became something else entirely. Something I couldn’t walk away from until they’d left me no choice and sent me away.
Inhaling a deep, solid breath, I waited for my bride at the altar. Suddenly, the music began, and in walked our wedding party, followed by Belle Montgomery.