Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Isla
Knox takes my hand and leads me back down the aisle, our fingers intertwined.
Flashbulbs explode, applause swells, and we paste on those perfect, practiced smiles.
I have that sensation of walking through someone else’s life again, one I can’t seem to wake up from. But as we proceed down the aisle, I realize I have to accept that this is my life now. There is no waking up.
We reach outside, stepping into blinding sunlight and a thousand reflections glinting off stone and glass. Knox guides me to the top of the stairs, where the wedding photographer waves for us to stop.
We do, and Knox rests a hand at the small of my back. Though his touch is light, his commanding essence never falters.
I put on my best smile while the camera clicks.
The camera flashes, freezing us in a perfect moment I’m not sure belongs to either of us.
After the first set of pictures, Knox leans close to my ear, keeping his hand steady at my waist. “Well done. You survived, Mrs. Vale.”
Mrs. Vale. Hearing him call me that sends a rush of something through me that makes my head spin.
I glance up at him. “I suppose I did, Mr. Vale.”
“For a moment, I thought you were going to faint on me.”
Outside of taking our vows, this is the first he’s spoken to me. I know what he’s referring to. It was just before we put on our wedding rings.
“As you can see, I’m still standing.”
“You are.”
“Oh, wonderful,” the photographer calls out. “Let’s have a few more shots where you’re looking at each other.” His excitement is almost palpable.
We oblige, holding the pose while he clicks away. After a few more flashes, Knox lifts a hand to signal that’s enough.
“I’ll grab you in a little while for the family shots,” the photographer says before sauntering off.
The guests begin pouring out of the hall. I take a step forward, thinking we’re about to join them, but Knox’s grip tightens around my hand.
“We’ll join them in a minute.” He grins. “We need to talk for a sec.”
My chest tightens, nerves scattering like sparks under my skin. “About what?”
His brows lift. “Heard you’ve been a bad girl this week.”
Lord, what is he talking about now? “I don’t know what you mean. My name’s never been on the naughty list.”
He chuckles, the flash of amusement brightening his eyes. “I find that hard to believe. Especially when you break even the simplest of rules.”
“Like what?”
He brushes a finger along my jaw. “I’m pretty sure I told you to stay away from that old boyfriend of yours.”
Oh, that. My gosh, how did I forget? I’ve been so engrossed with getting married, I totally forgot Chad.
I steel my spine, refusing to show his taunt has any effect on me. “So, you’re still having me followed.”
“Never said I’d stop.”
“Do you know how creepy that is?”
“But necessary. Hope you didn’t think he was going to turn up and save you.”
Save me? I never thought of it like that. “No. I didn’t,” I lie.
“Just so you know, I wouldn’t have given him the chance.”
“If you were so concerned, how come I’m only just hearing about this now? It’s been more than a week.” Translation: where’ve you been? Were you truly busy or avoiding me? I'm just too afraid to ask him what I really want.
“I had a few things to take care of, and since I was satisfied you were still within contract, I allowed you the chance to say goodbye to him.”
“How do you know I said goodbye?” He may have his spies, but I don’t think they’re listening to my conversations. If they were, he’d be asking me about Chad’s refusal to let me go.
“Because, wife,”—he leans closer with that word—wife—lingering in the space between us—“you’re a clever girl. You wouldn’t jeopardize our agreement. Also…” He pauses and watches me. For a moment, it seems he’s not going to continue his explanation.
“Also, what?”
“You don’t like him anymore. You’ve outgrown the boy. Moved on to better things. Better men.”
I've never met anyone who could unravel me so completely and lay me bare with just his eyes and words. He’s clearly talking about himself, and I can’t even argue.
But he’s… right. Even I can’t refute that there’s something between us. That… fire.
“You sound like you think you know me.” I speak just to say something. Because the weight of his stare is pulling me under.
“I do know you, love.” He smirks. “And just so you know, if your boy somehow manages to slip through the net like the worm he is and tries to pursue my wife, I will destroy him.”
My throat goes dry, and my hands shake, but there's a treacherous flutter in my chest that I refuse to acknowledge. The threat should terrify me. Instead, it sends liquid fire racing through my veins, and I hate myself for it.
A flurry of laughter cuts into the moment, and we look across to see Adaline, Knox’s sister, and Louise, his stepmother, approaching us with Mom and Mia in tow.
“There they are,” Louise beams. She rushes up to me and gives me a hug. “You look absolutely beautiful, my dear.”
“Thank you.”
“Come, we’re having some light snacks before the family photos.”
I glance at Mom, who gives me a hopeful smile. Then I glance back at Knox. He’s already looking at me, his gaze sharp and consuming.
He only breaks contact when Adaline skips over to him and loops her arm through his.
We’re swept away, but his gaze finds me again, burning into me, stirring emotions I shouldn’t have for my temporary husband.
The rest of the day passes by in a whir of congratulations, clinking glasses, kisses and posing for the cameras. The whole afternoon feels like a press event as reporters and journalists from various magazines and TV shows are given clearance to take our pictures.
Sometimes it feels like a performance. Sometimes not. Those are the parts that stay in my mind because I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not.
During our first dance, Knox's hand burns against my back, but we barely speak. Then we’re back to performing again, like actors hitting their marks during the dinner and speeches.
The activities slow down after. Thank God. I’ve wanted a chance to catch up with Mia and Mom all day.
I finally get a break when Knox goes off with his father and brothers to play poker with some of his father’s friends. However, my family and I get stuck with Louise and her friends, who want to hear all about what Knox and I plan to do next.
Since I have no idea what that’s supposed to be, I talk about my excitement for going to Italy. Although I don’t know how that trip will pan out, I am genuinely excited about traveling. It’s been years since I was able to go anywhere.
Louise responds with fond memories of family trips to Europe, and it hits me then that I know nothing about Knox’s real mother. I’ve seen and spoken to Louise so much that my brain slot her in as his mom. Especially because she seems to love him as such.
Now that I’m thinking about it, no one at all has mentioned anything about Knox’s mother, and she hasn’t attended any of the events. Not the engagement party, nor the wedding.
It’s incredibly strange. I’m aware his parents are divorced, but that’s it. There wasn’t even much about her online.
It’s like she disappeared.
Still, I would have thought she’d be at her eldest child’s wedding.
Perhaps it’s one of those anomalies that happen in families that people aren’t supposed to talk about. That usually happens when someone does something bad and that thing becomes a secret. I’m curious now.
The conversation shifts to the summer brunch the Vales are hosting in a few weeks, and I spot Mia trying to catch my attention from across the table.
She cocks her head toward the garden, silently asking me if I’d like to go for a walk.
I nod, and we get up. Everyone, including our mothers, is so engrossed in the conversation, they hardly notice us leaving.
When we reach the water fountain, Mia links her arm with mine, and we head into the labyrinth of roses lit by moonlight and strings of fairy lights woven through the hedges.
“Oh my gosh, I was wondering if I was ever going to speak to you today.” Mia laughs.
“It’s been so busy.”
“I know. When are you heading off?”
“About an hour or so.”
“And Europe? I guess you can fly off anytime you want if you’re going by private jet.”
I smile back at the wistful tone in her voice. “We’re leaving in the morning.”
“Ahh, the luxury of having a rich husband. I hope you don’t still think you’re cursed.” She squeezes my arm and leans into me, laughing.
“Mia.”
“Don’t Mia me. Someone has to be frank with you. Your mom wouldn’t do it, so it may as well be me, your wise, all-knowing cousin. And you should listen to me.”
“Okay, wise, all-knowing cousin.” I giggle. “Hit me with your wisdom. Maybe I need it.”
“That’s the spirit. Now, I say live it up.”
“Mia, didn’t you tell me I should take my chances and get Knox to forfeit?” I cut her a hard stare.
“I did say that.”
“And my first attempt blew up in my face.” I never told her the full story, only that Knox saw straight through me.
“Sure, but that doesn’t mean it was a complete failure.”
“So, you still think I should be looking for ways to get him to forfeit?” I gaze at her with raised brows. “That’s going to be kind of hard now that he knows what I’m up to.”
“What if you simply lived in the moment, took one day at a time, and see what happens?”
It sounds too simple, but realistically, it's my only option. “I suppose that’s all I can do.”
“Yes, but, Isla.” She pulls me to a stop on the cobblestone and rests both hands on my shoulders. “There’s more, and pretty please don’t hate me for what I’m about to suggest. Please don’t.”
I groan inwardly. That means she’s about to suggest another one of her bizarre ideas. “What now, Mia?”
“Maybe you could also cut yourself some slack.” She nods, as if she’s just come up with the best idea in the world.
“In what way?”
“Things may not be as bad as you think they are.”
My mouth falls open. “Are you serious? Today, I got married to a man I met two weeks ago because my father robbed him and he’s basically using me as a payment for the debt. I’d say things are as bad as they can be.”
“Those are all the bad parts. And yes, they are bad, but have you seen the way that man looks at you?” Her eyes light up, and she grips my shoulders as if begging me to see what she sees.
I want to tell her that she’s wrong. That she’s just seeing things and whatever she thinks she saw is all in her head. But even I know what she’s talking about.
“That doesn’t mean anything.” I shake my head.
“I kind of think it does.”
“Like what? What does it mean?”
“Like maybe you could just see where things go. With him.”
I think of Knox, of how damn possessive—and protective—he is. And that whole my wife thing? We haven’t even been married for a day, and those words have settled over me like a second skin.
Then there was that night. The night of our engagement party. My body was still in shambles from our encounter at the club, but that night…pushed me close to the edge.
Knox may be my villain but he makes me feel like I truly belong to him, and shamefully, I have to admit I don’t entirely dislike the idea.
Maybe it’s because I’ve never really belonged to anyone before.
I can’t count Chad. If I had truly belonged to him, he wouldn’t have left me the way he did.
But honestly, this is dangerous territory for me, and I can’t be a fool when it comes to Knox. It’s like walking on a frozen lake that’s about to crack.
I understand what Mia is saying, but the best thing I can do for my sanity is to be careful.
“How about I play it safe and focus on the one-step-at-a-time idea?” That would be the safest option for me. “You can’t expect anything from a man like Knox Vale.”
“But—”
“Mia, please,” I cut her off. “This is hard enough as it is.”
She rolls her eyes, then releases my shoulders. “Fine. I get it. Play it safe, then.”
“Yes, safe is best.”
Laughter ripples through the air. Deep and rich. It’s Knox.
He must be just across from us. His low chuckle rolls again, and a softer, feminine giggle follows. The kind of sound that slides straight under your skin.
Mia and I trade a look. Curiosity wins out, and we follow the sound until we reach the edge of a hedge shaped like spiraling topiary.
Through it, I see him. And her.
Knox stands with a raven-haired woman wrapped in a champagne gown that clings to her body like it was made for her. She’s elegant, definitely from his world.
They’re standing in the smaller courtyard, close enough that the space between them could be a breath.
Her hand rests on his arm. His head dips toward her as she says something, and he smiles, slow and warm. The kind of smile I’ve never seen aimed at me.
My stomach twists. For a moment, I can’t tell if it’s jealousy, shock, or something far worse—disappointment.
God, I’m so stupid. Disappointment?
I have no right to feel anything of the sort.
Didn’t I just tell Mia I wanted to play it safe? That wasn’t even a minute ago.
“Do you know who she is?” Mia whispers, her gaze flicking between them and me.
“No,” I breathe. “I have no idea.”
“Oh, maybe she’s a relative you haven’t met yet.”
“No, I’ve met his whole family.”
“Then maybe she’s a work colleague or…” Her voice fades when the woman slips her arms around Knox, and he pulls her close.
They look like forbidden lovers stealing a moment under the stars.
The realization that they could be lovers hits like ice water in my veins.
The ground beneath my feet feels unsteady, like it might crack and swallow me whole.
I can’t move. All I can do is watch the moment unfold between my new husband and this mystery woman.
Knox holds her with a tenderness I didn’t even know he possessed. The same hands that signed our marriage contract hours ago, the same hands that slipped a ring onto my finger with clinical precision now cradle this woman like she’s made of spun glass.
Mia’s light touch on my arm breaks the spell, and I turn toward her.
“Isla,” she whispers, her eyes wide with something that looks like regret.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
She wraps an arm around me, guiding me back the way we came.
We walk in silence. No more talk of Knox or possibilities.
It was just a hug. That’s all it was.
But it was the way he held her. Like she mattered. Like I never would.
And that’s all it takes to remind me what we really are.
A contract.
But damn my stupid heart.
I’m actually hurt.