Chapter 5

Leo called an aide over, gave him a few quick instructions, then followed me to the chapel.

I could hear the music playing inside. I smiled coldly.

A staff member pushed the chapel doors open, and the wedding march stopped dead.

Theodore stood at the end of the aisle with his arm around Layla.

The moment he saw me, his smile slowly froze.

"Hailey? What is this?"

For a second, Theodore looked awestruck. Then his expression hardened with anger. "Who said you could come in here wearing that?

"Where's the dress I picked out especially for you? Hailey! Why do you keep defying me?"

I walked slowly up to him. "You gave the heirloom gown I was supposed to wear to someone else, so I had to find a wedding dress that suited the occasion.

"After all, I'm the bride. Not her."

I turned to glance at Layla.

The heirloom gown was even dirtier now. The tear at the waist had spread, and the skirt was covered in dust and wine stains.

Layla bit her lip and looked miserable. "Ms. Amherst, I didn't mean to... Theodore said I could take your place..."

As she spoke, she looked to Theodore for help.

Theodore frowned and lowered his voice. "Hailey, first you disobeyed my orders, and now you're treating Layla like this in front of everyone!

"For the sake of the wedding, I'll let it go this time."

He held out his hand as if he were doing me the biggest favor in the world. "Since you're here, let's get on with the rehearsal."

I stepped back. But before I could say no, Layla cut in.

"No, that's not right. Isn't the Harrison heir's bride supposed to wear the Harrison family's heirloom gown?"

Her eyes were red. "Ms. Amherst, is it really okay for you to break your promise to your future husband and the Harrison family like this?"

Then she tugged at Theodore's jacket. "Theodore, aren't you the Harrison heir?"

I raised an eyebrow. I never thought I'd see the day Layla said something clever.

Sure enough, that did it. Theodore had started to calm down, but his face darkened again. He glared at me with the fury of a man whose authority had just been challenged.

"Hailey, Layla's right."

He pointed at my dress. "You walked in here wearing the Amherst family gown? Do you have no respect for me at all?

"You spent three months wearing yourself down until you looked like this. Did you ever ask me even once?

"You don't care about my feelings at all. All you care about is this wedding! I'm the Harrison heir, and I'm going to be your husband!

"You should be learning to please me, do as you're told, and follow my orders!"

As he said it, he wrapped his arm around Layla's waist again.

"You should learn from Layla! Whatever she does, she puts me first. She's sweet and full of life. No matter what she wears, she looks young and vibrant.

"And you?"

His eyes were full of contempt. "Even the most beautiful wedding dress in the world would look like a burial shroud on you!"

Layla flashed me a taunting smile, then quickly ducked her head as if she were shy. "Don't, Theodore! Don't talk about Ms. Amherst like that.

"If only she could be, well, more like me. Then she'd take good care of you and dress the way you like."

Watching the two of them made my stomach turn.

Why had I ever fallen in love with a man like this?

Selfish, stupid, shallow.

Fortunately, I could still put things right.

I let out a cold laugh. "So how do you want me to make it up to you?"

Theodore didn't seem to expect that. He blinked, then grinned smugly.

"Looking like this, you'd scare everyone at the real wedding. Why not just let Layla walk down the aisle in your place?"

He paused, as if making a reluctant concession for my sake. "Once the wedding's over, I'll..."

"Sure."

I cut him off before he could finish.

Theodore hadn't expected me to agree so easily. A pleased smile spread across his face. "Sweetheart, I knew you'd be understanding."

He stepped forward, reaching for me.

I stepped back, out of his reach. "Mr. Harrison," I said slowly, one word at a time. "I think you've got the wrong idea."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Theodore frowned.

"Did I ever say you were my groom?"

Theodore burst out laughing, as if my stubbornness amused him.

"Stop making a scene, Hailey. Who else could you possibly..."

Before he could finish, the chapel doors swung open.

The glare from the spotlights outlined a tall, straight-backed figure.

A voice as deep and smooth as a cello came through the haze of the spotlights. "Sorry I'm late, my bride."