Reluctant Bride

LAUREN

Today was the day I was supposed to marry Mason Campbell.

In just a few hours, I’d be Mrs. Mason Campbell.

Most brides are over the moon on their wedding day, but me? I was a bundle of nerves.

I was having doubts.

I wasn’t sure I could go through with it. It was bad enough that I was suddenly the center of attention. People who never gave me the time of day were now acting like my best friends.

They were only pretending to like me so they could score an invite to the wedding and sell stories to the tabloids.

Despite the hype, our wedding wasn’t going to be a grand affair. I’d told Mason I wanted a small, intimate ceremony, and he was fine with it.

In fact, if he had his way, it would just be the two of us. My friend Beth was the one who helped me choose my wedding dress.

I went for the simplest one, nothing too flashy or expensive.

Beth was annoyed that I wasn’t splurging with Mason’s credit card, but she respected my decision.

She helped me plan the wedding and was there for me when I felt like running away.

I never told her about what happened in Scotland. I just wanted to forget about it and move on.

From what I heard, none of Mason’s family were coming. It would have hurt if I cared about them. But Mason didn’t seem to care either.

He just wanted to marry me and get his inheritance, whether anyone was there to witness it or not.

My dad was overjoyed. When I visited him after returning from Scotland, he gave me the best wedding gift—a family heirloom.

He told me the ring had belonged to his grandmother, who had passed it down to his mother.

On the night he eloped with my mom, he’d taken it from his mother’s jewelry box.

Even though he’d taken it, he never gave it to my mom. He couldn’t explain why, but I was just glad he was giving it to me now.

My mom was never meant to have it.

The ring was beautiful. It was one-of-a-kind, designed by his grandfather for his wife.

It was shaped like the sun with a moon in the center and little stars scattered around. I held it tightly, promising him I’d never lose it.

It was the best gift I’d ever received, and it hurt to keep lying to him.

“Thanks again, Dad,” I said, touching the ring on my finger before looking back at him.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and I wiped them away.

“Dad, don’t. It’s like you think I’m dying or something.”

“You’re getting married in a few days, Laurie,” he said, tears streaming down his face. “Let me cry, my beautiful girl. I’m just so lucky to see this.”

“Stop, you’re going to make me cry too.” We both laughed as I wiped away a tear that had escaped from my eye. I placed my hand on top of his and smiled.

“I’m glad you’ll be there with me.”

A strange look crossed his face before he sighed.

“I wish your mother could see this.”

I clenched my fingers and tried to keep my anger in check. “Dad, don’t. Please, don’t ruin this moment by bringing her up.”

He gently stroked my cheek. He looked healthier than the last time I’d seen him.

Mason had promised that as soon as we were married, my dad would start his treatment. I couldn’t wait for my dad to be his old self again.

He used to be so full of life, like a kid on Christmas morning.

I wanted that man back.

And I knew I’d see him again soon.

“As you wish, honey,” he said, pulling me into a hug.

“But you need to let go of your anger, Lauren. The best thing we can do when someone hurts us is to forgive them. It brings peace to your mind. Understand?”

I heard him, but forgiving the woman who had torn our family apart…

She didn’t deserve forgiveness.

Dad was too kind. He couldn’t hold a grudge against anyone.

I was glad I didn’t inherit that trait.

I helped him lie back down and adjusted his covers.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay to walk me down the aisle? Did the doctor give you the okay?”

He grinned. “I’m more than capable of walking my daughter down the aisle. Even if I had no legs, I’d drag myself down that aisle for you, honey.”

I laughed softly and stood up. “I know. You’ve always been stubborn.” I leaned down and kissed his forehead.

“I’ve sent your tux for dry cleaning. I’ll send Beth over when it’s ready, okay?”

“Okay, honey. Are you leaving?” he asked, watching me pick up my purse. “So soon?”

“Well, I’ve got a lot to do, but don’t worry, I’ll see you soon.”

Beth had done my hair and makeup, refusing to hire a professional. She kept forgetting that this marriage was only going to last a year.

I never forgot that.

It was always in the back of my mind, influencing every decision I made.

I was sitting alone in a room at Mason’s private estate, where we were getting married. It was secluded, and most of the area was off-limits.

He’d chosen this spot for that very reason, and no one knew this was where we were getting married.

He’d sent Coop to lead the media on a wild goose chase. By the time they figured out where we were, the wedding would be over.

The room was large and open, taking up half of the fourth floor. The south-facing windows filled the room with warm light.

It was the most beautiful room I’d ever seen, even better than the one I’d stayed in at his family’s home.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, nervously chewing my lip and wiping off the lipstick Beth had applied. I didn’t care about the makeup.

My wedding dress hugged my body, the lace sleeves ending just below my elbows. The neckline was daringly low, much to Beth’s delight. The skirt was a soft bell shape that swayed gently with each step.

My dress was understated, just like I wanted. My hair fell in loose curls down my back.

I sank into one of the tea chairs, my thoughts heavy and paralyzing.

This was the day I’d been dreading, and it was finally here.

There was no stopping it now.

Suddenly, the door flew open and Beth walked in, radiant in a light pink dress that accentuated her curves. Her face was glowing with happiness, a stark contrast to my own.

“You look amazing!” she exclaimed, standing in front of me. “Although, you look more like a thousand-dollar bride than a million-dollar one.”

I snorted in response.

“Did you see Mason?” she asked, her voice catching on his name. “He looks so hot, like a freaking angel of death, but a really handsome one. His shoulders in that tux…”

She stretched her arms out wide, then let out a dramatic sigh.

“I think every woman there will have trouble sleeping tonight. I know he’s your husband, but as your best friend, I’m saying he’ll be a guest in my dreams tonight.”

I rolled my eyes.

“And his eyes! Lauren, how do you even breathe around him?

“I nearly passed out when I saw him. And the way he walks, it’s like the world should bow down to him. I would certainly bow down to him.

“I would bend a lot of things.” She giggled, then stopped when she saw my unamused expression.

She quickly sat down in the other chair.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m past okay.”

She reached out and held my hand.

“Wedding jitters, you’ll be fine. I’m still mad that I’ve been demoted to a guest at my best friend’s wedding.

“I should be walking down the aisle with a bouquet because I’m your bridesmaid, but your jerk of a husband didn’t want that. What did you say he said?”

“Waste of time.”

She huffed in annoyance.

I couldn’t help but grin.

“You were just praising him a minute ago.”

“Can’t I have mood swings?”

I laughed. It was the first time I’d laughed today, and it helped ease some of the tension. I needed that.

Beth probably knew, or maybe she didn’t. Best friends have a way of knowing these things.

At least, my best friend does.

When my dad walked me down the aisle, he looked happy and carefree, as if my not getting married was the only problem in his life.

There were about thirty guests, including Athena and Aaron.

I had invited Jade, but I didn’t think she would show up. I would have been utterly surprised if she had.

A few of Mason’s family members who I didn’t know also attended the wedding. The only familiar face was Sebastian Campbell, who looked as excited as a kid being presented with a cake.

Standing in front of the man I was about to marry, my legs felt weak. I stared nervously at his chiseled face, his strong jaw, his intimidating look.

I tried to steady my nerves by reminding myself that I wasn’t going to pretend to be a loving wife at home and that this was just a contract, a piece of paper that would bind me to him for a year.

There was nothing to be scared of.

I watched as Mason recited his vows without a hint of nervousness, his voice steady.

He stared straight at me, his hard profile making my skin prickle.

It was as if he was waiting for me to mess up or run away, but he was also trusting me to stay there and exchange vows with him.

To look him in the eyes and make myself his, like he said I was.

“I, Lauren Marie Hart,” I began, taking a deep breath. “Take thee, Mason Campbell, to be my lawful wedded husband.”

Behind me, Beth let out a small squeal that wasn’t as quiet as she thought.

“In sickness and in health…” I continued, my hands shaking in his. He squeezed them reassuringly. “Till death do us part.”

Beth snorted loudly, causing the guests to chuckle.

Mason raised an eyebrow in his typical way, and I couldn’t help but smile.

His brows furrowed, and he looked at me with a hint of amusement in his gray eyes.

He probably found it amusing that I was wishing him death, and was likely wondering why I was so obsessed with it.

He held my left hand as he slid a gold band onto my finger.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he said, his tone dry.

He was probably the most bored-looking groom in existence. He looked like he had better places to be, and that being here, getting married to me, was a chore.

“I pronounce you husband and wife.”

I tensed, waiting for the priest to say “you may kiss the bride.”

Mason and I hadn’t discussed this part. I wasn’t going to kiss him, and he didn’t seem too eager to kiss me either.

I could feel Beth’s excitement.

I wanted to turn and glare at her, but I kept my eyes on him.

But when the priest didn’t say anything more and Mason took my hand, leading me back down the aisle, I finally understood.

He must have told the priest not to mention the kiss.

I sent a grateful smile to his back as a feeling of respect for him washed over me.

I was married.

I was Lauren Campbell.