Chapter 26
Darius
“Darius.” My father’s voice pulls me out of my daze and I turn away from the mirror and watch as he takes a step forward. He’s dressed in a suit similar to mine. “Thank you for doing this for us.”
I shake my head. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it.
” I drop my voice. “I don’t want to see you go to jail, but I won’t forgive you for what you did.
Even if Floyd had never found out, what you did was wrong.
I looked up to you. I thought you were a good guy, but in reality, you’re no better than the man blackmailing us. ”
My father flinches, but he nods his head and I like to believe it's remorse I see on his face. But it could just be regret for getting caught. I wish I could bring myself to hate him, so that I could walk away from him and not care about the consequences, but that’s not who I am.
Busying myself with buttoning up the jacket on my suit, I ignore him as he stands awkwardly watching me.
“Do you want me to walk you down the aisle?” he asks.
I laugh. “Maybe if I was marrying someone I loved, then yeah. Then I’d want to do it all.
But this? This is a facade, an act.” I look down at the tie I’m wearing.
“I fucking hate the colour orange. Did you know that? This isn’t my wedding, Dad.
This is your stay of execution. Let’s not pretend it’s anything more.
” He has the decency to look ashamed, but when Caiden enters the room, he schools his features into the stoic businessman I know so well.
The one who would risk other people’s jobs for his own benefit.
The one who often put his business before his family but who now needs his son to put him first.
Caiden doesn’t smile when he sees me. My friend looks sad and I hate that I’m the reason. He and Jamie are happy and in a good place and I’m so jealous of it I’ve been keeping my distance from them. It hurts too much knowing I could have had the same.
“Ready? All the guests are seated.”
My father takes a step back, waving over his shoulder. “I’ll go take my seat.” He disappears from the room, and then it’s just me and Caiden and a bouquet of ugly roses that I refuse to carry.
“Not really.”
“It’s not too late to back out.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Darius, I seriously want to tempt you,” Caiden says, a hand on each of my shoulders. “How can I talk you out of this?”
I shake my head. “You can’t, babe. Let’s just get it over with.”
“Okay.” He blows out a breath. “But I have to tell you something.” I raise an eyebrow. “Oliver is here.”
My heart soars but sinks just as swiftly. “What? How did he even know about it?” Caiden’s cheeks pinken and he looks down at his feet. “You told him?”
“Not on purpose. He saw the invite. It broke him, D. I didn’t think he’d show up. Jamie is trying to convince him to leave, but you know how stubborn he can be.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Jesus. This can’t be happening.”
Not only do I not want to run the risk of Oliver messing up this wedding, how am I meant to follow through when he’s right there looking at me?
“Take a breath,” Caiden says, squeezing my shoulders. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Who are you trying to convince?” I ask, attempting a smile.
“I don’t know what more to say. This is so fucked up and you know it. But if you’re not backing out, then we need to get moving. Hopefully, Jamie will have talked him into leaving.”
I run a hand down my suit, feeling the smooth fabric beneath my palm. Then I nod and head towards the door, ready to do what needs to be done.