Chapter 3

Just then, the butler knocked on the door.

He could obviously tell something was off. He hesitated in the doorway for a few seconds.

"Mr. Harrison, Ms. Brooks, the minister is here. The rehearsal can begin."

Theodore checked his watch and frowned. He sounded impatient. "Hailey, go put on the dress. Don't keep everyone waiting for us."

I stayed right where I was and didn't move.

The maid was still holding the plain dress, its satin gleaming under the lights.

I was Hailey Amherst, heir to the Amherst family and the future matriarch of the Harrison family.

There was no way I'd show up to my own wedding rehearsal in that dress.

If I did, I'd be the laughingstock of New York high society.

"I'm not wearing it."

Theodore froze, and his face darkened. "Hailey, stop making a scene.

"It's just a rehearsal. What does it matter what you wear? Everyone's waiting for us. Do you really have to throw a tantrum right now?

"I flew back from Sicily overnight for you. Isn't that enough?"

I gave him a mocking smile, then glanced pointedly at Layla. "Did you really rush back for me?

"Honestly, you two look more like the real couple. Don't you think so, Layla?"

Layla's hand was still resting on Theodore's arm. She looked shocked.

"Ms. Amherst, how could you think that about me?

"Theodore gave me this himself. It was a gift. But if you want it, I can take it off and give it back..."

As she said it, she reached behind her for the zipper.

But her fingers fumbled, tearing off the pearls that were already coming loose at the waist.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry."

She bit her lip and spoke in a sickly sweet voice. "Or I could do the rehearsal in Ms. Amherst's place.

"I'm already wearing the dress, so nobody would even notice. Let Ms. Amherst take a break and get some rest."

She said it in a breathy, girlish voice and looked up at Theodore expectantly.

Theodore shook his head, his eyes locked on me. "No need.

"Hailey, how can the bride miss her own rehearsal? I'm only going to say this one more time. Put on the dress!"

I gave Theodore a cold look, as if I'd never known him at all.

While we were planning the wedding, I'd told him countless times what my dream wedding would look like.

I'd picked out the venue and the flowers myself. I'd even flown to Italy and Greece to see places in person.

I'd done it all so I could wear the heirloom gown and have the perfect wedding.

But now he'd forgotten all of it. He wanted me to throw on any old dress and just get our wedding over with.

"No."

I spoke slowly. "Theodore, I'm not wearing it.

"This rule has been passed down in the Harrison family for 100 years, and it must be followed. Without that gown, the wedding doesn't count."

"You're threatening me with the rules?"

Theodore let go of Layla and took a few steps toward me. His voice dropped low. "Hailey, you think I can't keep my position as heir without you?

"Hasn't every part of the Harrison family's business depended on me these past few years?

"Those old fossils on the board? You really think they'd dare touch me?"

He stood over me, looking down his nose at me. "I'm only going to say this one more time, Hailey. Go put on the dress."

I ignored him.

The dressing room was so quiet I could hear the lace on Layla's skirt rustling.

Out on the lawn beyond the house, soft music had already started to play.

Theodore's expression grew darker by the second. Then, out of nowhere, he let out a cold, humorless laugh.

"Fine."

He turned and slid an arm around Layla's waist. "Layla, let's go."

Layla leaned against his chest. A smug look flashed across her face, but she hid it just as fast.

She blinked innocently. "Theodore, are you sure that's okay?"

She clung tightly to Theodore's shirt. "You really mean it? But I was only joking with Ms. Amherst."

"Of course."

With his arm around her, Theodore walked past me, then stopped.

"Think this through, Hailey.

"By the time the rehearsal's over, either you're standing in that chapel in this dress, or..."

He didn't finish. He just walked out with his arm around Layla.