I’m not going to ruin Emily’s wedding. But I won’t go another hour without telling Warren how wrong he got it. Without letting him know what I think of him and the way he deliberately hurt Lil.
Then I’ll be pulling out all stops to get Lilavati back. Because there’s no point denying it.
Lilavati owns me. Body, heart and soul.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lilavati
Mum approaches me as I climb off the bus at the Pineapple Chapel.
“Lili …”
I just can’t. There’s no doubt it was Warren who engineered this whole situation, but my mother let it happen. Once again, she chose to stand by Warren without thinking about the impact on me. One day, perhaps I’ll be able to look back and realise he did me a favour, but right now there’s no way in hell I can speak to either of them.
Because maybe there’s truth in what Warren said, and maybe there isn’t. But the cruel, gloating, spiteful way he delivered the blow was unforgivable. And Mum said nothing.
I hold up a hand and take a step back. “We don’t have anything to say to one another.”
Mum looks stricken, but compared to the emotional bloodbath that’s going on inside me, I can’t bring myself to care.
Out of nowhere, Louise grabs my elbow and drags me away to the relative privacy of some tropical hedging.
“Where’s Ant?” she asks, although it’s clear from her horrified expression that she’s got some idea of what’s gone on.
“I don’t know.” I’m proud of the way the words don’t wobble. The way I don’t choke halfway through the short sentence. Because it feels like there’s a massive bubble of tears stuck in my throat, ready to burst.
“Your grandmother told Mum that Warren found out something bad about him and confronted you with it. Grandie is stuck with the Bride from Hell but sent me to check on you. And to tell you to keep your heart open, if that makes sense. Do you want to talk about it?”
Grandie’s unexpected compassion causes those tears to inch closer. “No.”
“Okay. Well, I’ve got your back. I can run interference with your parents.” Louise tucks an arm through mine, patting my hand. “And if you want my opinion, don’t believe everything Warren says. Anyone can see Ant is crazy about you.”
If only he hadn’t damned himself with his own words.
If only I could find the courage to believe I’m worth the fight.
Louise and I hang back in the shadow of the hedge until the last minute, then sneak into the back row of the chairs arranged to take advantage of the spectacular view. Which you would think is enough to appreciate. But less is not more as far as Emily is concerned, and a massive arbour, weighed down with what looks like hundreds of flowers and satin bows, obscures half the view. As do the five bridesmaids, all in varying shades of a dull, dusty pink that might be seen as elegant in a ballroom under crystal chandeliers but looks entirely wrong against the vibrant grass and the bright, glittering blue of the sea.
Emily hasn’t thought through her wardrobe. Her mermaid style dress has a massive, layered tulle train that collects all the rose petals that have been scattered in front of her as she wobbles down the carpet between the chairs, making it look like the brush on a street sweeper.
I wonder if her dress was fitted before her last boob job because they’re perilously close to popping out of the sheer lace of her bodice. She also hasn’t reckoned with the afternoon breeze up here. Hair and tulle are whipping around her face and shoulders, catching in her eyelash extensions and sticking to her lipstick.
After the ceremony, during which multiple soppy poems are read by various friends in increasingly over-the-top outfits, champagne and canapes circulate amongst the guests while the bridal party disappears for photos.
Louise snags a bottle of champagne from behind the bar—have I mentioned how much I like this girl?—and we find a low stone wall to sit on. Away from the other guests, and most importantly, away from my parents.
“Hmm. We might need another bottle,” she mutters as she fills my glass for the second time. “Are you ready to talk about it now?”
“Yes. No. Actually, yes.” Mei gave me her take, but she’s never met Ant. Louise might have a different perspective.
She rolls her hand for me to start. So I do. I tell her everything, right up to my conversation with Mei. It all comes pouring out, along with a few sobs and tears, which she mops up as I go. She’s a good listener. She doesn’t even interrupt to clarify.
When I sputter to a finish, Louise sits silent for a long moment.
“It wasfake?”
“That’s what you took from all that?” I wouldn’t have believed it possible given the circumstances, but I laugh.
