Two weeks later, Sylvia stared at herself blankly in the mirror.An elegantly dressed bride in a long, white lace veil and satin sheath gown stared back at her. It still didn’t feel right. She picked up her neatly bundled bouquet of white roses and looked back in the mirror.It was the morning of her wedding. In less than an hour she would have everything she’d barely dared to dream of—she’d be Mrs. Xavier Regulus. Robby would have his father.So where was the joy? She should have been ecstatic with bliss and hope. So why, looking at herself in this beautiful dress, standing in a suite of this beautiful rented mansion outside her village, did she feel so…empty?Xavier had wanted to marry her immediately, in Rio, but he’d quickly given in to Sylvia’s begging when she’d asked to have their wedding in New Hampshire, so her family could attend.‘We can get married in New Hampshire, of course we can, if that’s your wish,’ he’d told her. ‘But after the ceremony, we must live in Rio. Do you
Xavier had to hurry. Every second he wasted with Sylvia was like a grain of sand falling through a fatal hourglass. He had to leave at once.And yet he couldn’t.Leaving her felt like a death. He took a deep, shuddering breath. ‘This isn’t over,’ he said hoarsely. ‘I’ll be back after I close the deal in Rio.’‘Of course.’ Sylvia’s shoulders straightened, even as her lower lip trembled. ‘I will never stop you from seeing Robby. I hope…I hope you’ll see him often. He needs his father.’Xavier heard the music start to play downstairs and thought of the guests surrounded by white roses and candlelight, waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin. He clenched his hands, feeling that same strange spinning, sinking feeling in the region of his chest.‘Remember,’ he said tersely, looking at her. ‘This was your choice. I wanted to marry you.’She swallowed as tears streamed unchecked down her pale cheeks. ‘I’ll never forget that.’No, he thought suddenly. It couldn’t end like this. Not like this!
Sylvia hesitated outside the closed doors of the huge, flower-strewn library, frightened out of her mind.She could hear the rumble on the other side of door, the mutters and whispers. The wedding had been scheduled to start thirty minutes ago, and everyone was obviously starting to assume the worst.But there was no way around it. She had to get through it. With a deep breath, she pushed the doors open.The enormous two-story library had been modeled after an old English abbey with walls of gray stone. It was now festooned with white roses and candles, with hundreds of chairs set up to create an aisle down the middle.At the sight of the bride standing at the end of the aisle, musicians hastily began to play ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ on guitars and violins. Sylvia stopped the music with a chopping gesture across her neck.Silence fell. She could have heard a pin drop as three hundred pairs of eyes turned to her.She trembled, passing a hand over her eyes. Then she heard her baby
SylviaIt was like a dream come true for me. My life was finally going the way I wanted. Everything was falling into place for me and I was married to a man that would change my life. I had been struggling to pay my bills for three months. I had incurred debts that tightened around my neck every day. But now, I was finally free from all of that. I no longer worked two jobs in Miami, scraping ice from the window of the broken-down car I jump-started every night. I was no longer yelled at by my bosses and co-workers. I’d just become a baroness, with the world at my manicured fingertips. I could afford the things I desired and I would become powerful. My husband’s name was Arnold Lincoln, a great baron in the country and a billionaire. He was wealthy and I didn’t have to lift my finger to work for the rest of my life. I cast a glance across the vast gilded ballroom of my new husband’s castle in northern California. I watched my husband as he interacted with his business partners
My heart beat increased when I heard the rustling of feet behind me. I was scared stiff. I wonder why I haven't passed out yet. With my hand by my side, I raised my gown. My legs were shaking, it was just a matter of minutes before it gave way. Slowly, I spun around with my dress sweeping across the garden. I didn't look at the owner of the voice immediately. It took a while before I raised my face. A man as dark as the shadow stood before me with his hand by his side. The night was dark so I couldn't see his face but I knew his eyes were fixed on me. I noticed he was standing beside three SUVS. His long black hair and coat shone in the moonlight as he stood beside a tree that was covered in frost. The more I stared at him, the more the bad feeling I felt in my heart increased. Goosebumps crept up on my skin and I felt completely uncomfortable. Even in the darkness, I could still feel his eyes piercing mine with intensity and I blinked rapidly. Although I was nervous, I was
I squirmed because of the pain I felt but the man was unperturbed. I understand he was strong but it was unwise of him to think the same about me. I was a weakling! I looked towards the castle but there was no sign of life heading from there. The party was still going on despite my absence. I felt upset at the discovery. For crying out loud, I was the bride and the most important person in the wedding. I wonder what my parents and my family are doing right now. I thought about Arnold too. I guess he had been so carried away speaking with his business associates that he forgot all about me. I wished I allowed my mom to come along when she asked earlier. If I did, I was sure I wouldn't be in this mess. The cool night breeze had become icy. It lifted my veil above my head then swirled it around both of us in the dark frozen night. I could feel the power and hostility emanating from his strong body. And for a brief moment, I was lost in a nightmare of ice, fire, and desire. But
Xavier I had not expected her to be so beautiful. I had not expected her eyes to pierce into my soul but they did. I looked down at the petite blonde beneath me, her slender wrists shackled in my hands, as the SUV drove down the road through the snowy night. I had instinctively covered her with my body, pressing her into the soft leather of the backseat the moment she tried to flee. I could hear her soft pleading pants and sweet scent of fresh linen and tea roses on her skin. Her every gasp lifted her full breasts higher above the tightly corseted satin dress to the point where I thought the fabric couldn’t hold her any longer. My muscles tensed, and I forced myself to turn away. I wasn’t supposed to be interested in Sylvia Browne. Yes, I despised her greatly. But use her to get the things I wanted? Certainly, that was exactly what I was going to do. So, how could I explain this sudden surge of desire? How could I explain the way she captivated me? There was absolutely no
Sylvia I went numb with shock as he pulled me from the SUV then led me across the dark tarmac to the waiting plane. I had lost my willpower to do anything so I did not resist. I allowed him to pull me like I was his puppet. His revelation of Arnold having a wife broke me. I was trying hard not to believe his words but at the same time I wanted to believe. But why? Was it because I didn't love him? What if he was just trying to tarnish Arnold's image so he could have me to himself? Several thoughts ran through my weak mind as he continued to pull me. “But he can’t have a wife,” I said aloud. I didn't mean to but I had already said it. I looked up at him with bewildered confusion in my eyes. He was wearing a neutral expression so it was hard for me to detect if he was trying to pull my legs or he meant his words. “I’m Arnold’s wife! You’re lying just to kidnap me.” I spat at him “The wedding was fake,” he said coldly. “The vows were fake. The minister was fake. And most of a