Chapter four

Ava's POV

My wedding day is tomorrow.

My mother had to drag me out of bed because she had a suprise for me.

We entered the mall and she led me to a store. When I look up, it was a lingerie store.

“Mum!” I exclaimed.

“Oh, shush.” She replied as she pulled me in.

She was tossing teddies, thongs and bras in my direction. I could not stop laughing. I was half embarrassed and amused.

I held up one of the lacy bra with my finger.

“Mum, what is this?” I asked her with laughter.

“It's called preparation and you're going to be thanking me later.”

She then passed me some nighties.” These ones are really good. Damien wouldn't be able to resist you.”

“Mum!!!” She rolled her eyes.

The day went by and later that night I was seated on the swing in the backyard and I thought. I'm really getting married tomorrow.

I was still in my thought, when my phone rang. I picked it up and it was Mira. I let out a harsh breath and answered.

“Hello?”

“Ava, what is wrong with you? Just because I told said you were making a mistake breaking up with Luca, you refused to call me or answer my text.”

“Mira, like I said, whatever is going on in my relationship is none of your business.”

“I'm your best friend.” She countered.

“You sure?” I asked her back and she stammered. After some while she cleared and throat.

“Ava, could you give me some money? I need it”

“I don't have it.” I said to her in a calm voice.

Her voice shot up. “What do you mean you don't have it? Ask your dad. I'll send my details. Bye.”

As she hung up, I let out a bitter laugh.

In my past life, whenever Mira asked for money, I was always ready to give it to her and she was never grateful. All she ever did was take and take.

Her message came in. She asked for ten thousand dollars. I laughed at the absurdity.

She really sees me as an ATM.

I stared into space. Letting the evening breeze calm me. After a while, I picked up my phone and blocked Mira.

Tomorrow is wedding. I refuse to be unhappy.

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I stared at myself in the mirror of the bride’s room. It’s my wedding day. Again. But this time, to a different man.

The thought made me laugh softly, almost disbelievingly. The makeup artist was adding final touches to my face.

A knock came at the door. “It’s time, baby girl,” my dad’s voice said, full of pride. When I turned to him, his eyes shone with warmth

My mum came in for one last hug before leaving the room. “You’re so beautiful, sweetheart,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

And then it was just me, my reflection, and my thoughts.

When we reached the entrance of the hall, I looked ahead and saw Damien already standing by the altar. My breath caught. He looked almost unreal, sharp black suit, dark hair neat with am unreadable expression. The piano started, and the guests rose.

Following my father’s steady steps, I walked down the aisle. It was a small quiet wedding. We had not announced it to the world yet. We planned on getting married first.

I was curious what Luca and Mira would think when they finally hear I got married.

My mind wandered and the light from the chandeliers blurred around me, and my mind drifted to my past life. I had married Luca because I loved him. I never things would end that way. And how long has he and Mira been cheating. Was it after our marriage. Talkimg of the marriage. It was only nice for the first couple months before he started acting cold. But now that I have been given a second chance. I would misu—

“Ava… Ava!” The priest’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Are you all right?”

I blinked fast. “Yes! Sorry! yes, I’m fine.”

He gave me a polite look before clearing his throat. “Do you, Ava Sinclair, take Damien Morreti to be your lawfully wedded husband. To love in sickness and in health, through joy and through pain, in certainty and in doubt, in riches and in poverty, and to remain by his side until death do you part?”

I smiled up at Damien, my voice steady. “I do.”

The priest smiled and turned to Damien. After his answer.

“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The guests erupted in cheers. Damien lifted my veil, and for a split second, and he gave me a quick, polite peck. He was already pulling away when I deepened the kiss. My fingers curling around his lapels, pulling him closer.

The cheers grew louder. When I finally pulled back, his expression was unreadable, half stunned, half something else. I grinned, a mischievous glint in my eyes, before turning and running straight into my parent’s open arms.

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Hours later, we were finally at the car that would take us to the airport. We were going for our honeymoon.

I turned to him as he slid into the seat beside me. “Ready for our honeymoon, hubby?” I asked, giving him my best grin before adding a playful wink and a little lip bite for good measure.

He froze. His eyes widened slightly in horror. “Don’t ever do that again.”

I blinked. “What? wink?”

He looked straight ahead, expression flat. “The winking. And the lips thing. It’s… just don’t do it again.”

My smile faltered, my heart sinking for just a moment. But I caught myself quickly. I wasn’t going to retreat. I pouted exaggeratedly, leaning back in my seat as he told the driver to head to the airport.

The engine started, the car rolling forward, and I looked out the window, watching the city blur past. I smiled faintly.

Well, I thought, it’s all truly happening.

But this time, it’s my story to rewrite.