Page 66 of Save You
“Beautiful,” he replies without a smile. There is no reason to smile today.
As soon as we’re at the church, the first thing I notice is all the heavily armed security surrounding the building. There’re far too many to count, and all of them are looking around for potential threats, reminding me of when I had been escorted through the airport, back in California. Leo gets out of the car first, then leads me toward the church under armed guard.
“Leo,” I whisper nervously, “why am I being so heavily guarded?”
“Come on, Beth, you’re not stupid. You have to know that someone like Oliver Lawrence will have many enemies, which means-”
“Which means I’m a target?” I finish for him.
He says nothing, just nods, causing my knees to almost buckle from underneath me. They haven’t needed much more encouragement to do so anyway. Leo reaches out to hold me steady, then props up my arm to literally carry me over to the steps.
“Don’t worry, Beth,” Leo whispers out the corner of his mouth, “no one is getting to you because I will be there to stop them. So long as you stay hidden, you are safe. You have to stay being Angela Steele until your day comes. You hear me?”
Even though I no longer believe in that day anymore, I nod and straighten myself to walk up the steps to where Claire, Sophie, and Maisie are waiting for us, right alongside my grandfather. He is suited and booted, and ready to walk me up the aisle. When I see him smiling smugly down at us, a bitter feeling of resentment erupts from within me. I stare at his proud, self-satisfied face, waiting to rob my father of an honor that should have been his. Instead, he is somewhere mourning the loss of his daughter, who he believes died during childbirth.
After security gives us the all-clear to go inside, I take a moment to breathe in deeply and look up at the ominous building before me. It’s reminiscent of the cathedral fromThe Omen, but reluctantly, I take hold of Carl’s arm. The wooden doors open to reveal pews of guests, who all turn to watch as we come in with their happy, nosy faces beaming at me. They look at me as though I know each and every one of them personally. A string quartet begins the wedding march as soon as we step inside, and several gasps sound out as little Maisie and Sophie begin walking up the floral-decorated aisle.
Nausea engulfs me when Carl begins pulling me along through the entrance to follow the girls, only pausing to let Claire place my veil over my face so I can look every bit the virgin bride. Once we pass the back row of guests, I look up to see Oliver waiting expectantly with a line of ushers, including Chad of all people. The creepy toad of a man is wearing smug smile, and when he catches my eye, he gives me a quick wink to make me feel that little bit more uncomfortable.
By the time I finally reach Oliver, I can feel drops of perspiration dripping down my back. I have to try to steady my trembling hands as they grip hold of my bouquet with white knuckle force. The ceremonious passing of my hand from Carl’s over to Oliver happens, leaving me to face my soon-to-be husband. I’m met with a smug expression that tells me he’s won; that I am finally his.
We exchange vows and sign the relevant papers before he lifts my veil and claims me with a deep kiss. When I say ‘we’, I mean Oliver and a void that is me. I’m not even in my body right now, I am floating above, watching it all and screaming, but nobody hears me.
“Finally,” he whispers inside of my ear with the crowd clapping and cheering behind us. As we descend the aisle, the girls follow closely behind us, with Leo and Claire taking up the rear.
I am officially Mrs Lawrence!