Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

Sabella

"Really?" I say as Colin leads me by the hand through the large wooden doors. I adjust the strap of my handbag over my shoulder. "A church?"

"It takes time to get an appointment at Home Affairs," he says, walking us down the aisle. "Plus, the vicar is my mom's uncle. He only agreed to marry us on such short notice because my mom always makes big donations to the church."

The runner carpet absorbs the sound of our footsteps as we make our way to the altar at the front. Candles burn in the alcoves. The wax leaves a chalky scent in the cool air. The interior is mostly dark except for the soft light streaming from crystal chandeliers that hang from the vaulted ceiling. From a stained-glass window behind the altar, Mary regards us with a serene expression. She raises one hand in blessing and holds the smiling baby Jesus on her hip in the other.

A thin, tall man with bushy white hair wearing an alb and a stole exits from the vestry and comes over to meet us.

"This is my uncle," Colin says. "Uncle, this is Sabella."

The man nods. "How do you do? I need a minute to set up the wine for the Holy Communion."

"Is that necessary?" I ask, nerves tightening my stomach.

He gives me a hard look. "This ceremony is already highly inappropriate as it is."

"Give us a moment," Colin says, addressing me. "Why don't you take a minute to catch your breath? It's been such a race."

He shows me a cry room on the side just as my family members burst through the open doors.

"Turn around, Colin," Celeste says, charging ahead of the group with a white gown in her arms. "You can't see the dress."

She got a dress? Wherever did she find one so quickly?

Colin obediently gives us his back as the group rush toward us, Ryan wheeling my suitcase.

"Where can we get ready?" Celeste asks the vicar in a no-nonsense manner.

Pinching his lips, he motions at the room Colin indicated.

Celeste grabs my arm and drags me inside. Ryan and my mom follow. Doris runs to keep up with Brad who clings to her like a monkey. My nephew's small yellow daypack with the green turtle on the front looks ridiculous on her back.

My heart melts with a rush of tenderness when I kiss Brad's chubby cheeks. He's wearing his Spiderman costume again. Celeste must have a dozen of those. It's the only outfit he wears these days.

Doris wipes sweat from her brow and deposits Brad on his feet.

"Thank you, Doris," Celeste says, hanging the dress on a wall hook before taking the daypack. "Did you bring his snacks?"

"Everything is in there," Doris says. "Including a coloring book and crayons."

Celeste gives her a grateful smile. "Come on, Brad." She wraps her hand around his small palm. "Let's have your teatime snack while Bella gets ready."

Ryan puts the suitcase in the middle of the floor and kisses her on the cheek. "I'll be there in a sec." He closes the door when she and Brad have left and turns to me. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"It's too late to back out," Mom says, unzipping the plastic clothes bag.

"Where on earth did Celeste find a wedding dress?" I ask, dropping my handbag on a chair.

"I have no idea." Ryan grins. "Maybe at one of the boutiques in the mall. That woman never ceases to amaze me. She can be very resourceful when she wants to be."

"Quickly," Mom says as she takes out the gown. "We don't have much time. Do you have the rings, Ryan?"

"Quickest shopping I ever did. I'll give them to Colin. I can't guarantee they'll fit though."

"While you're at it, make sure he doesn't come in here." Mom shakes out the dress. "It's bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the bride walks down the aisle."

"Did everything go okay?" I ask, removing my sandals. "No one followed you?"

"The plan worked like a charm," Ryan says. "Celeste parked underground and left via the mall." He motions at the suitcase. "She packed a few things like you asked. It's best that you change cars as soon as possible, preferably before you leave Cape Town. I left enough money in your bag to buy a new one in cash."

My mom pulls down the zipper at the back of my dress.

"Have you decided where you're going?" Ryan asks.

"Colin's family has a chalet in the Drakensberg. We'll stay there for a couple of weeks until the worst of Angelo's wrath has blown over."

"And then?" he asks, concern pleating his brow.

I shrug as if the confrontation will be a breeze and not the storm I fear. "Then I'll send Angelo a message with the news."

"Take the rings to Colin, Ryan." Mom shoos him away. "Let your sister get ready."

Ryan offers me one of his rare smiles before he gives us privacy.

"The dress is gorgeous," Mom says, taking it from the hanger. "I don't know where Celeste found it, but it looks like your size."

I take in the classical cut and the sensual lines. "It seems a bit much. Colin doesn't even have a wedding suit."

Mom waves the comment away. "He's fine. Making a little effort to look like a bride for him is the least you can do. You'll have to take off your bra. The back is open, and it's a halter neck." She sighs. "What a pity you don't have proper wedding underwear. Something new and white and lacy. And something old and blue. I should've taken my pearls for the something old. Or my earrings."

"The dress is already more than we bargained on." I slip out of my sundress, remove my bra, and step into the dress she holds for me. "A wedding gown wasn't part of the plan."

Tightlipped, my mom says, "I have to admit, Celeste did something right for once. Remember to thank her."

I turn around with a nervous smile, letting Mom zip up the dress. The silk hugs my hips but not too tightly. The fabric is soft and comfortable, caressing my thighs where the skirt is narrow before flaring out toward the hem.

I lift my hair for Mom to fasten the button of the halter neck at the back. The top is a little loose over my breasts, but I don't mind. At least I won't battle to breathe. I'm already short of breath from stress as it is.

Mom grips my shoulders and twirls me around to face her. "Let me have a look at you." Emotions flood her features. "You look perfect, Bella. It's not the wedding I would've liked to give you, but it's something. At least you're marrying the right man. I only wish your father was here. Giving you away to Colin would've made him very happy."

My chest tightens, and tears spring to my eyes.

My mom pulls her back straight. "Now isn't the time to be emotional." She clips the suitcase open and buries her head inside, hiding non too discreetly while composing herself before rising with silk slippers. "Oh, look. Celeste even brought shoes."

Grateful for the foresight, I take the shoes and put them on. They're a little wide, but I'll be able to walk in them.

Mom steps back and studies me with a critical look. "Let's get some color on your cheeks."

When I unzip my toilet bag, I'm relieved to find that Celeste remembered to pack my birth control pills. At the same time, it's weird to think about Colin in an intimate way. There was a time when I considered losing our virginity together, but so much happened since. After Angelo, I can't imagine sleeping with Colin or any other man for that matter. I'm sure sex with Colin will be tame and safe. I have no doubt that Colin will be patient. Knowing him, he'll give me all the time I need.

While I brush out my hair, Mom rummages through my make-up bag. As she takes out my lipstick, the door opens, and my sister enters.

"Mattie," I exclaim with a mixture of joy and concern. "What are you doing here? You're nine months pregnant, for crying out loud."

She gasps, cupping her hands over her mouth. "Oh, Bella. You look gorgeous."

"No tears," Mom warns in a stern tone. "Bella is right, Mattie. You're too close to having the baby to be here."

"I'm fine." Mattie rubs her belly. "You didn't think I'd miss my sister's wedding, did you?"

"Impromptu wedding," I say.

Mom hands her the make-up bag and the lipstick. "Help me get some color on her face. Colin is waiting."

"They can wait another minute," Mattie says. "It's a big day after all. Jared bought flowers."

"Bless his soul." Mom scurries to the door. "I'll go see if I can concoct a bridal bouquet."

Mattie stares at me for a beat when Mom is gone. "Oh, Bella," she says again. "You look so beautiful."

The uncertainty plaguing me carries on my voice. "Thank you."

"Hey." She searches my face. "This is what you want, right?"

"To escape? Yes. But to do this to Colin? I'm not sure that's fair."

"Colin is happy. He's not an idiot. He knows what he's signing up for."

I bite my lip, chewing it for a couple of beats before admitting, "I don't love him like that."

"Love isn't always instantaneous. In fact, most true loves aren't. Love at first sight is often nothing but hormones. It's just infatuation. Real love takes time to develop and to grow. I don't know how things are between you and Colin, but I've known Colin since the day he was born. I know him well enough to be sure he'll put the time and effort into your relationship that it deserves. Besides, this is what Dad would've wanted."

Those are the words that sway me. No matter how my dad hurt me with his lies, his sinister business deals, and his secret life, I never stopped loving him. I never stopped missing him. I'd give anything to have him here today. To walk me down the aisle. Mattie is right. This is what he wanted. He told me so himself. It would've made him happy.

I square my shoulders. "You're right. Let's do this."

"That's my baby sister." She uncaps my lipstick. "Let's make you even prettier than you are."

She applies the red lipstick and a little make-up and gives me the hand mirror when she's finished. Except for the make-up, I look like every other day. Normal. My smile says I'm happy. Only, I'm not. I'm terrified, not only because I can't relax until I say, I do, but also because I'm worried that we're making a mistake.

Too late.

The door opens.

Ryan sticks his head around the doorframe. "We have to get a move on. We don't want to risk being found." His gaze rests appreciatively on me. "You look gorgeous, Bella."

"Thanks," I say, resisting the urge to wipe my clammy palms on the gown.

"Wait." Mattie goes through her handbag. "Just give me a second to take her hair up."

She finds a few pins that she uses to secure my hair in a messy bun. "There. What do you think?"

"Thank you," I say, pulling her in for a quick hug.

We both laugh as her belly gets in the way.

She takes back the mirror. "You look perfect. Now go."

"Come on." Ryan offers me his arm. He's wearing a smile, but tension emanates from him. "I'm afraid there's no music."

I return his smile. "That's okay."

Mattie kisses my cheek before slipping through the door, whispering on her way out, "Good luck, Bella."

Ryan looks down at me. "Ready?"

I swallow and nod.

He pats my hand where it rests on the crook of his arm. "Let's get you married."

His attempt at humor doesn't help to settle my nerves. It has nothing to with wedding day stress and everything with the man I'm running away from, but my escape is finally within grasp. Freedom waits at the end of the aisle, only a few steps away. I won't be able to relax until the vicar declares us legally married.

Colin stands tall as Ryan walks me down the aisle. Guilt that his family isn't here assaults me. Maybe we should have a small celebration when they return from their vacation.

We pass my mom, Mattie, and Jared, who are seated in the pew second from the front on the left. Doris, Brad, and Celeste sit in front of them. They're all dressed up. Everyone made as much of an effort as they could on such short notice.

Doris jumps to her feet and leans over Celeste to hand me a makeshift bouquet of white roses. The stems are tied together with sellotape. Brad's Spiderman pencil case lies open on the bench, his sellotape spilling out among his crayons. The sight makes me smile.

I mouth, thank you, aiming the gratitude at both Doris and Jared, and wink at Brad, who grins.

Colin looks me over when Ryan and I stop in front of him. Appreciation warms his eyes. Ryan kisses my cheek and takes his place next to Celeste. I smile at my family from over my shoulder as I place a hand on the arm Colin offers before facing the vicar.

Colin leans down to whisper in my ear, "Fuck. You look amazing."

I mock-frown, whispering back, "Language. We're in a church."

The vicar picks up a Bible. "Shall we begin?"

"Yes, please," Colin says, tearing his gaze away from me.

"As per the groom's request, there won't be a sermon today," the vicar says. "We'll dive straight into the formalities. Before we do, I'd like to read a passage from Psalms and say a prayer."

Standing in a wedding gown in front of the nonjudgmental eyes of Mary feels unreal. I never dreamt about a wedding. I'm only nineteen years old. I always thought I'd travel the world and build a career first. It's both scary and reassuring. My life with Colin will be stable and predictable. There won't be nasty surprises like Mom had to endure, or did Mom think the same when she married Dad? Was she as sure of him as I am of Colin?

A part of it feels wrong too, so much so that I can't breathe.

"Bella," Colin whispers, nudging me gently.

I look at him.

He tilts his head toward the vicar, who says, "Repeat after me. I, Sabella Daphne Edwards, take?—"

The rest of the vow is cut short as the doors fly open, banging against the walls. Sunlight spills into the space, the rays lighting Mary's face. The vicar's eyes go wide. The muscles of Colin's forearm tense underneath my palm. The gasps of the people I love fill my ears as we spin around.

The bouquet of white roses drops from my hand.

A man stands on the threshold, the sunbeams bouncing off his dark shape. He takes a wide stance with his arms hanging loosely at his sides. He balls his left hand, drawing my gaze to the action. My heart pounds in the cage of my ribs as I focus my attention on the gun he holds in his other hand. The sight reminds me of a scene I don't want to remember.

Angelo Russo steps into the church, into the light. The chandeliers illuminate the harsh features of his handsome face. The look in his black eyes is more devious than I've ever seen. Dressed in a bespoke suit with a silk tie, he stands there like a god, flaunting the truth for the whole world to see. There's no mistaking who the real groom is.

I swallow as an army of men enter behind him, all carrying guns. A choked sound comes from the vicar behind us.

Angelo advances slowly, trailing a path with his gaze over me. What I see in those dark eyes sends shivers through my body. Possession. Fury. A promise of vengeance.

The women make themselves small. Only Doris gets up, but the men have surrounded them, cutting off all paths to the exits. Celeste covers Brad's eyes, whispering something about a game.

Someone closes the doors. They shut with a heavy bang.

I swallow again, trying to get my vocal cords to work, but Angelo beats me to it.

His smile is wicked, and his voice drips with evil sarcasm. "Did I arrive before the part where I get to object?" He lifts his arm, aiming the gun at Colin. "Or am I going to have to make you a widow before I can marry you, cara?"