In the bridal suite, Mary sat quietly with Briony.


    The wedding ceremony was just thirty minutes away.


    "Briony, are you nervous?" Mary asked gently.


    Briony looked over at her. Mary was dressed in a blush-pink bridesmaid gown, looking sweet and lovely, though the gentle swell of her belly made the dress sit awkwardly on her frame.


    "Mary," Briony murmured, reaching for her hand.


    Mary''s hand was cold and slick with sweat.


    "Listen to me," Briony said, her tone grave. "No matter what-whether it''s the baby you''re carrying or Ferdinand himself—you must remember that youe first. If anything happens, you save yourself before anyone else. Promise me."


    Mary caught the strange seriousness in her voice and opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, the door swung open.


    Ferdinand strode in, immacte in a white suit.


    Briony quietly released Mary''s hand.


    Ferdinand carried an insted container, his eyes fixed on Briony, paying no attention to Mary at all.


    "I asked Belinda to make you some nourishing soup, and she also prepared a few of your favorite side dishes," he said.


    He crossed the room, slipped an arm around Briony''s shoulders, and spoke


    gently, "Once the ceremony starts, I might not be able to take care of you. You''ve been looking pale-have a little soup first, all right?"


    Briony nodded faintly.


    She was sopliant, especially on a day like this. The sight seemed to please Ferdinand greatly.


    He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.


    A flicker of disgust shed in Briony''s eyes, her brows drawing together for just a moment.


    Mary stepped over, her posture almost that of a maid, and reached out for the container. "Let me help Briony with the soup."


    Ferdinand handed her the container without a thought, then led Briony to the sofa and sat down beside her.


    Mary served the soup into a bowl.


    "Give it to me," Ferdinand said. "I''ll feed her."


    "That''s not necessary," Briony replied coolly. "I''m perfectly capable of feeding myself."


    Ferdinand paused at her words, then took the bowl Mary passed him and let Briony take it from his hands, not pushing the matter further.


    Briony quietly sipped her soup, head bowed.


    Ferdinand watched her, an expression of tenderness and devotion in his eyes.


    Mary stood silently nearby, eyes fixed on Ferdinand.


    She loved him. Ferdinand, however, only had eyes for Briony.


    But Briony didn''t love Ferdinand at all.


    Between the three of them, not a single one would get what they truly wanted.


    This wedding was destined to be a tragedy for them all.


    ...


    The ceremony began right on schedule.


    Inside the ancient, sacred church, every pew was nearly filled. The red carpet was strewn with fresh rose petals, and the Wedding March echoed beneath the high stone arches.


    At the front, Ferdinand stood tall and proud in his white suit.


    The church doors swung open.


    Briony, dressed in a flowing white


    gown


    entered clutching a bouquet,


    entered, supported by supported by Mary and the


    stylist, Linda.


    Petals drifted gently through the air as every eye in the chapel turned to the bride.


    No gaze was more intense than Ferdinand''s.


    After all these years, he had finally gotten what he wanted.


    Briony was about to be his bride.


    His heart pounded in his chest as if it might burst, heat rushing through his veins.


    Ferdinand knew he would never forget this moment for as long as he lived.


    His Bryn, veiled and resplendent, was walking toward him, step by step, down the aisle for all the world to see.


    This moment belonged to them-just the two of them.


    Beneath her veil, Briony looked at Ferdinand.


    He reached out, a triumphant smile lighting his face.


    If he''d been truly attentive, he might


    have


    e in Briony''s eyes, conce


    en the emptiness and


    behind the delicate whitece.


    When she reached him, Briony lowered her gaze to Ferdinand''s outstretched


    hand.


    Mary gently ced Briony''s trembling hand into his.


    Ferdinand gripped her hand tightly.


    Mary and Linda stepped quietly aside.


    Ferdinand ced Briony''s hand on his arm and, together, they turned to face the


    altar.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!