The entire wedding had been a blur. Mrs. Blackwood had handled every detail, leaving Alex with little to do. After her initial meeting with Julian, she hadn't seen him again. Her only contact was through Catherine and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth explained that Julian was too busy, and had asked them to oversee the arrangements. Alex scoffed at that. Too busy to prepare for his own wedding? Typical. But she didn't care. After all, it wasn't a real marriage in her eyes.
The only thing Alex had chosen was her dress. She had fallen in love with it the moment she saw it, and Elizabeth had been more than happy to buy it for her. Later, Alex discovered it was the most expensive gown in the shop. She'd been mortified—had she known, she would've chosen another one. But Elizabeth didn't mind; in fact, she praised Alex's impeccable taste. Alex hadn't had the heart to admit it wasn't really her taste at all. Without Elizabeth's indulgence, she would never have picked something so stunning. The woman was like a second mother—though never a replacement for her own.
Catherine, for her part, had tried hard to keep Alex happy throughout the process. Perhaps it was guilt, though Alex couldn't be sure. Whenever she pressed her mother about the real reason behind this marriage, Catherine always gave the same excuse: because you dropped out.
Her thoughts drifted to her new husband. That kiss… it hadn't been normal. She had felt it all the way down to her bones, and judging by his reaction, he had too. Attraction? Probably. She would never admit it, but she knew she was drawn to him in some way. He was handsome—any woman with eyes could see that. But the contempt she felt for him was just as strong.
He was a man who thought money gave him power over people. She would prove him wrong.
And yet… sometimes he made her doubt her judgment. She remembered the way he had pulled her close for their wedding photo, and fury surged inside her. Then she recalled how he'd forced her to leave the hall, regardless of how strange it might look. Arrogant, overbearing—he'd even kissed her without permission.
She had only agreed to that photo because she was too tired to argue. Better to save her energy for later battles.
Closing her eyes, she hadn't planned to sleep, but exhaustion claimed her anyway.
Two hours later, the sound of a door bursting open jolted her awake.
"Who the hell leaves her own wedding to sleep?" a familiar voice rang out from the doorway.
Alex blinked twice. No… that couldn't be—
"Zara!" she shrieked, springing to her feet. She threw her arms around the woman, hugging her tightly.
"Oh my gosh, Zara! I thought you were busy!"
Zara laughed as they clung to each other.
"And miss my best friend's wedding? Not for anything."