Page 58 of Mark
“Can I be last?” I plead.
“No, now go!”
She shoves me towards the white carpet placed on the sand, and I can’t help but be grateful Hayden blackmailed me andMark to get him to come with me. If he hadn’t ripped that dress, I would be knocked out right now because I wouldn’t have survived that shove.
I take in a breath, composing myself, before making my way down the aisle.
I can do this.
I can.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Freya
My heart races and sweat trickles down my back as I stand in my place on the left-hand side of the aisle. I avoid Danny’s gaze and focus on Mark, who has moved from the bride’s side to the groom’s, causing quite a fuss with Danny’s uncles. He says something to them, giving them both a hard look, which has them moving down to make room for him. My heart flutters at the sweet gesture. He’s done it so I can focus on him, which I do, giving him a tight smile in thanks.
Esther did incredible with the details. The white runner between the aisles has the same orange petals as her bouquet scattered across it. Dried flowers are tied to the edge of the chairs, and the arch over the platform they will stand on is decorated the same. Everything is perfect, just like she wanted.
My cousin and Diana walk down next, both of them smiling at Danny. Neither smile at me as they take their place next to me. I expected it from Diana; she’s never liked me. My cousin, on the other hand, her reaction hurts. Once upon a time, we were close friends. Now she’s taken a side, a side Esther probably forced her to take like she has with so many others.
The music changes as my mum takes her seat next to the empty chair reserved for Dad. My attention is pulled to the limo, where Esther now stands, beaming from ear to ear as she links her arm through our dad’s.
No matter what has transpired between us, she is still my sister, and I’m happy for her. I smile as she elegantly makes her way down the aisle. She glows as she smiles at her guests, but once she locks gazes with Danny, her smile is wider and only for him. The love shining there is so bright, I can’t begrudge her for it. I might not like that her love is for a boy I once loved, or likehow they got together, but I’d be just as bad as she is if I held those things against her, like she holds it against me.
She shoves her bouquet at me, taking me off guard for a moment. Mark grits his teeth at the move, and as the ceremony begins, he never once looks away.
I hold his gaze, needing it, wanting it. It anchors me as the ceremony continues.
When the vows begin, I lose my focus, because those words...
I’ve heard those words before.
“I will love you when I am old. And make you proud every day. I will be your lover forever. And more, I’ll be your best friend. I will always be your soulmate. And my love will be eternal. I will never keep any secrets. And I promise to never lie. I will vow that this is the beginning. And vow we never part. I love you, Esther, for now and always,” Danny reads, and my heart freezes.
A block of ice encases my heart, because that poem was not his to share.
That poem was mine.
It was a poem about us. A poem from me to him when I was at university. He’s picked out parts from the poem, but the words are still mine. I’d recognise them anywhere.
Mark watches me intently, but I look away, turning to my mum. Her gaze meets mine, her lips drawn tight.
She knows.
She knows because I read it to her before submitting it.
“Danny, you have been my best friend for what feels like forever and I knew this day would always come. With our friends and family here supporting us, I vow to choose you like you’ve always chosen me. I am proud to become your wife, to join our lives together. When I am with you, you make me feel like a better person. You complete me in a way no one else ever has,”Esther declares, her emotions clear in the break in her voice. “With you, I have found love. In your arms, I have found a home. In your eyes, I see our future. Thank you for loving me, for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with you. I love you, Danny. For now and always.”
As the officiator declares them man and wife, I can’t move. I can’t smile for the newlywed couple. And it takes everything in me not to rake my nails down his face. Something I should have done the evening they declared they were together.
How dare he use my poem like this.
A red haze blurs my vision, and before I can gather my bearings, Mark is there, taking my hands in his.
He runs the palm of his hand along my jaw, leaning in. “Don’t break now,” he whispers, and slowly pulls me away from the gathering crowd.
“Honey, I didn’t know,” Mum explains, making me jerk.