My Future, Not My Past

I walked back into those three estates one last time—to deliver wedding invitations with my own hands.

Mrs. Gibson and I were having coffee in the living room when Nico came down the stairs.

"Nico," she called out, "we were just talking about Freya's wedding—"

His eyes locked onto me, voice dropping low. "Freya. Who the hell are you marrying?"

"Don't use my mom as a shield. I'm not interested in you, and I'm not saying it twice."

He turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Clara sighed. "That boy only hears half of what's said. Who said anything about him being the groom?"

She glanced at me, a hint of apology in her tone. "Freya, don't take it to heart. Nico used to be so protective of you, fighting with the other two boys to treat you best. I saw it all."

"Honestly, I used to think if you ever came into this family, we'd have to make Nico kick those other two out of the running. Who knew…"

I shook my head. "Some things just aren't meant to be. I should get going, Mrs. Gibson."

"Of course. We'll be at the wedding."

I left the Gibson house and headed to the McDonalds'.

The maid led me in just as Arlo hung up a call. He saw me and gave a tight smile.

He walked over. "Nico just called. He said you got shot down at his place, so now you're coming to me next?"

His face still wore that polished, gentlemanly look, but his eyes were cold. "Freya, I thought I made myself clear at the last dinner. None of us want to marry you. You shouldn't be here."

I nodded. Smiled. "That's why I'm only here to deliver an invitation."

He paused. Then the smile sharpened. "Same trick as last time with your father? Lure us to the venue, then spring a groom on us at the ceremony, betting we wouldn't have the nerve to walk out in front of everyone?"

"Haven't you learned your lesson, Freya?"

"Like I said, I'm not interested. Daisy would get the wrong idea, and I don't want to make her uncomfortable. If you end up with no one to save face at the altar and have to pull in some last-minute stand-in, well, that won't end well either. "

I was about to say something when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and his whole demeanor softened. "Daisy."

"Yeah, I'm on my way."

He hung up, shot me one blank look, and walked straight past me without a word.

I stood there and let out a breath.

It looks like that time my father made me claim a boyfriend in front of everyone really convinced them this was the same play. They thought I was trying to force one of them to cave.

Whatever. They'd see at the wedding.

Mrs. Mcdonald came out from the back room and took the invitation, her voice flat. "Arlo missed out."

I'd delivered each invitation myself, not for them. For their parents. The ones who'd raised me when my mom passed and my dad was always working. Half my childhood was spent rotating through their three homes. Those people, those years, I couldn't forget them.

Then I headed to the third house.