Aria suddenly shoots up from her seat. “Oh mygod, we’ve got a wedding to plan!”
I laugh shakily into Soren’s shoulder, half mortified, half deliriously happy.
Soren stands up abruptly, still holding me in his arms like I weigh nothing. “No one disturb me for the next couple of hours. I’m off to fuck my fiancé.”
I make a dying noise against his neck. “Jesus Christ, Soren…”
Selina cheers loudly. Aria squeals with her. The entire table bursts into enthusiastic conversation and laughter as Soren carries me out of the dining room
Epilogue
Kit
It’s been three months since everything changed.
The estate garden looks like something out of a dream tonight. Lavish flowers spill over every surface… deep reds, soft creams, and rich greens woven through arches and tables. Strings of warm lights hang overhead, glowing softly against the evening sky. Soren brought in five-star chefs for the day so Lorraine and her team could actually relax and enjoy themselves for once. No one’s working tonight, except for the guards who are rotating discreetly so it doesn’t feel like a fortress. Everyone is dressed up, laughing, drinking, and dancing.
And I’mmarried. I still can’t believe it. My name is now Christopher Sinclair; it feels surreal every time I think about it. Sometimes I wonder if this is all a fever dream, if I’m actually lying in a hospital bed somewhere with my face split open, imagining a life where Soren Sinclair chose me.
I run my fingers absentmindedly over the flat scar on my face; it’s healed remarkably well. The doctor said it’ll take another six months or so to fade into a silvery tone. I’ve come to terms with it now; it’s part of me and it tellsa story. I even find a strange kind of satisfaction in the way new people react to it… that awkward moment where they trysohardnot to stare.
I laugh quietly as Armen attempts some truly terrible dance moves. “I need another drink if I have to watch that all night.”
The music is still blasting and most people are dancing, but I wander over to the table where Soren’s parents are sitting, champagne flutes in hand.
“May I sit?”
Harriett looks up and beams. “I’d be offended if youdidn’t.”
I grin and slide into the chair beside her. Dominic gives me a warm nod.
Harriett leans in with a tipsy wink. “I’m your mother-in-law now.”
I laugh. “Yep. That’s how it works.”
Dominic snorts, then catches himself and smiles. “It’s been a nice day, Kit.”
“I’m glad you could come,” I say sincerely.
They both smile at me, and Harriett reaches over to gently squeeze my hand. “Oh, like we would miss this.”
Dominic shakes his head, still grinning. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Harriett glances around. “Where is he anyway?”
I take a sip of champagne and point across the garden to where Soren and Ray are standing deep in conversation, both holding glasses of whiskey like this is any other evening.
Harriett tuts. “Typical.” She looks at me with a playful smile. “You know, Dominic was the same on our wedding day.”
Dominic grins. “Meanwhile Soren was about three years old, trying to hide under Harriett’s dress because my colleagues lookedscary.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re kidding?”
Harriett thinks for a second, then laughs. “Oh yes! It was Mr. Romano… all covered in tattoos,verytall. He tried offering Soren a lollipop, but Soren cried and ran away.”
We all dissolve into laughter. Dominic gives a tipsy grin, and Harriett is laughing so hard at her own memory that she has to wipe her eyes.
The laughter must carry because suddenly Soren is here, sliding into the chair right next to me. His arm drapes over the back of my seat as he asks, “Dare I ask what’s so funny?”
