They’re the words I’ve always dreamed of being told but now they petrify me.
He loves me.
"The hairdresser is here."
"I'm coming," I call from the bathroom as I wash my face.
I have a feeling that the time around me has increased in speed. When the hairdresser and make-up artist are done, I’m still in a stupor.
"Isabel, what's going on, honey?"
"He told me he loved me!"
"Why do you look surprised?"
"Because he never told me that before."
"Sometimes you don't need words, darling. You can see he's in love with you. The way he looks at you is the same way you look at him. You love him. Don't deny it."
"I don't deny it."
Alice helps me put on the wedding dress, while Nathan's mom helps me put on the veil. "Something blue, something new, something old. Something borrowed is missing,” Lauren says while tying a string of diamonds around my neck.
"Lauren, it's beautiful."
"Just like you, Isabel."
"Thank you."
"There's no point. I know this might sound absurd, but arranged marriages are often the ones that surprise you the most."
I smile as I get up and go to get the letter. "Alice, could you take this to Nathan, please?”
"I'll bring it to him. I'm going to him right now," Lauren says as she takes the letter and exits the room.
Let's hope she doesn't read it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Nate
I'm a bundle of nerves. Time is passing slowly.
"Nathan, you’re handsome."
"Thanks, Mom. Have you seen Isabel?"
"Yes, she’s stunning. She told me to give you this." She hands me an envelope.
I open it. There’s only one sentence.
"Thanks, Mom." My heart is about to come out of my chest.
"Let's go to church. It's almost time."
The church is fantastic and full of flowers and tulle. I'm starting to feel more and more nervous. I look around and see the limo pull up in front of the church, and I start to feel warm.
