Alaric from, then exhaled with relief.
He knew it. Stella was obsessed with him–how could she possibly miss their wedding?
Just another one of her games to get his attention
The thought irritated him. He prepared to scold her for being in childish and causing such stress.
But when he looked up at the newcomer, he was stunned.
“Jenna? What are you-”
His eyes fell on what she was wearing, and his confusion deepened.
“Why are you in a wedding dress?”
The “bride” who had entered with the coordinator wasn’t tell at all.
It was Jenna.
She stood there in the wedding dress she had designed, blushing at Alaric’s question and lowering her head with practiced meekness
“Uncle Al, I heard Stella hasn’t shown up. With all these important guests. if there’s no bride, the Gilbert family will be a complete laughingstock throughout New York……”
“So I put on the wedding dress. I thought, if Stells abandoned you. I could step in I could be your bride instead!”
She looked up suddenly, her eyes gleaming with what appeared to be courage and devotion
Alaric was speechless, but Camilla didn’t hesitate–she stepped forward and slapped Jenna hard across the face.
“You manipulative little bitch You think you can just slide into our family like this? Not in a million years!”
Alaric snapped out of his shock and pulled jenna behind hum protectively, glaring at his mother.
“Mond! What the hell
Camilla laughed bitterly
“Drop the act, Alaric. You claim she’s your ward, but anyone with half a brain can see what’s really going on between you two.”
“Tell me the truth–is this line homewrecker why Stella wanced out?”
Alaric’s pup constricted, but before he could respond. Janna burst into tears.
“Mrs. Gilbert, blame me if you mast! I’m the one who fell for him. I’m the one who couldn’t control myself 1 practically threw myself at him.”
“It’s all my fault, not his at alim
Camilla nearly fainted
“You’ve actually been sleeping together? both of you disgraceful-*
She lunged toward them, but Steven cut her off with a thunderous:
E–ENOUGH!
Camilla stopped in her tracks as Steven studied Jenna carefully, considering the situation before finally speaking.
“M this point, our only option is to let Jenna marry into the family *
Chapter 11:
Jenna’s eyes lit up instantly, while Camilla shriekel
“Have you completely lost your mind?!”
“Got a better idea?” Steven snapped. “Every power player in New York is sitting out there if there’s bride, we’re finished socially
“They’ll gossip about a bride swap for a few weeks, hot having a bride at all would destroy our reportation At this point, if not jenna, who pla
Steven turned to his son
“Alaric, what’s your call?
Jenna looked at Alaric with naked hope.
That Alaric hesitated, his mind racing.
“But..” he began. “Jenna is technically my adopted-”
“That’s bullshit,” Steven dismissed impatiently.
“You have no blood relation, and you never filed the legal paperwork. You’ve just been her guardian for a few years. Yes, people will talk, but that’s better than becoming a complete joke!”
Alaric stood frozen, torn
Meanwhile, the ceremony time had arrived. From outside came the sound of the officiant’s voice and the guests‘ applanse.
Jenna clutched Alaric’s arm desperately.
“Uncle Al, what are you waiting for? Just say yes
Jenna could barely contain her excitement.
When Alaric had taken her in at age ten, she had initially viewed him as a respected guardian.
But as she entered adolescence, she had fallen hopelessly in love with him.
She loved not only bis handsome features but also the Gilbert fortime
She had sensed Alaric’s feelings for her too, knowing he suppressed them only because of his position and engagement to Stella
Today, those chains could finally be broken. This was her perfect chance to openly marry Alaric.
How could she let it slip away?
With these thoughts, she gazed at him expectantly, waiting for his agreement.
But to her surprise, Alaric suddenly raised his head.
“Dad, I can’t marry Jenna.”
Chapter 12
