Is he celebrating Valentine’s?
The idea of him wining and dining another woman sets a fresh wave of nausea rising in my sternum. I turn the tap on, splash a little cool water on my cheeks, careful to avoid my eyes. I refuse to smudge my mascara. Not when I’m almost certain Rian is about to propose to Rebekka.
Why else would he fly us all out to the most romantic city in the world?
I dry my hands and dab my face with a white fluffy flannel, then toss it into the laundry basket.
‘You okay?’ Tate asks as I step out into the corridor.
‘Just feeling a bit… off.’ I don’t know how else to describe it.
He offers me his arm for support, and I’m not too proud to take it, though I drop it the second we reach the penthouse bar again.
Rian’s ebony eyes lock on mine, silently asking if I’m okay. I give him a nod and force my lips upwards in a smile. He claps his hands together loudly.
I knew it.
‘Family, can I have your attention for a minute, please?’ His focus turns to my sisters-in-law, who are the last to stop talking as usual.
I glance at my mother. Her eyes sparkle as she hangs on to my father, squeezing his arm hard enough for him to startle. I take a glass of champagne from a waiter who is dishing them out like sweets. There’s no way I can drink it, but I can at least raise a toast to the brother I’m closest to.
The room falls into a hushed, expectant silence. Rian beckons Rebekka in front of the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Eiffel Tower. He wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her flush against his side. ‘As you all know, Rebekka and I have been together for exactly one year today.’
‘That’s the longest relationship you’ve ever had—other than with your right hand,’ Caelon quips.
My brothers laugh.
My mother tuts.
And Rebekka simply swoons, gazing up at Rian like he’s the only man on the planet.
‘It has, hands down, been the best year of my entire life.’ Rian turns his body sideways. Rebekka mirrors the motion so they’re facing each other. He brushes his thumb tenderly over her cheek, and the urge to cry wells up inside me.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m not a crier. Never have been.
Rian’s eyes bore into Rebekka’s like she’s the rarest jewel in the world as he continues. ‘It mightn’t have been the smoothest, or the easiest path to true love, but that’s exactly what it is.’
My sisters-in-law collectively swoon as he drops to one knee. Hot tears burst from my eyes and flood my face. My emotions have me in a chokehold.
‘Rebekka Remington, I promise to love you and cherish you, and wake you up in your favourite way, every day for the rest of my life.’ He winks at her, and a crimson blush flushes her cheeks. Her slim, manicured fingers fly to her mouth as he plucks a black velvet box from his suit pocket and flips it open. A stunning diamond trilogy ring sparkles beneath the warm light. ‘Will you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?’
‘Yes!’ she squeals as he slips the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand. He stands then, scooping her up into his arms. Their lips meet like they’ve forgotten they have an audience. He practically devours her as she crushes her chest against him.
Thunderous applause fills the air.
James whoops, kissing Scarlett’s temple. Caelon squeezes Ivy’s arm with a look in his eyes that’s positively primal. Killian whispers something in Avery’s ear. Layla nestles intoSean’s shoulder. My mother and father wrap their arms around each other, proud expressions etched onto both their faces.
And I stand on the periphery, bawling like a baby, feeling something I’ve never felt when I’m with my family—alone.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Chapter Twenty
COLE
March
