Chapter Ten
CIARA
The urge tothrow up is overwhelming.
Pacing the stone steps outside the chapel, my mind is on all the people waiting for me to make my entrance, most of whom I won’t have any idea who they are. But that won’t stop them from having their opinions of me, no doubt whispering about how desperate I am if I’m willingly marrying a Sullivan, marrying into the family who publicly ruined my own.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mutter under my breath.
I’m willingly betraying my father, and for what? Safety? Because my brother ordered me to?
My throat tightens at the thought.
The wordsSullivanandsafetydon’t exactly go hand in hand. God only knows what will happen once today is over and Ronan finally gets his way.
I press a hand to my chest.
My heart beats frantically beneath my palm. I can’t catch my breath. But I can’t back out now. I gave up that option the moment I signed on the dotted line and agreed to be Ronan’s bride.
“Oh, God.” Bile starts to burn my throat.
“Ciara?”
Mila’s voice is soft, but it’s enough to break through my spiraling thoughts. She appears by my side in an instant, slipping her arm through mine and pulling me close.
“You okay?” Her dark brows pull together in a frown.
She looks amazing in her burnt orange dress, with her short hair tucked behind her ears. We’ve talked a few times over the years about how our wedding days would be, but never in my life did I think this would be my fate.
I force a smile, though I know she can see right through it.
“Defineokay.” I tighten my grip on my bouquet of burnt orange, burgundy, and cream flowers.
Mila’s eyes soften as she wraps an arm around my shoulders. “You don’t have to do this.”
I lean into her warmth just for a second, before pulling back. “You know as well as I do that Idohave to do it.”
I sigh as my eyes start to sting with tears.
“But is it whatyouwant? Because if it isn’t, my car is right there.”
The offer is so tempting it hurts.
Her car is literally parked right across the street, and for a second, I consider it. What it would be like to run, alliances and politics be damned.
But then I remember what’s at stake and what Ineedto do in order to protect my family’s name.
My fate has been decided.
Besides, Ronan Sullivan would never let me walk away from a deal.
“What I want is irrelevant. This has to happen.”
Mila clearly doesn’t like my answer from the way her expression hardens, but she nods. That’s what makes her such a good friend. The fact that she can still show up to supportme, even when she disagrees with my decision, means the world.
I take a deep breath as I climb back up the stone steps of the chapel and peek through the slight opening in the doors.
Soft classical music filters out, and I can see the backs of the heads of nearly three hundred guests. But not one of them captures my attention like Ronan does.
