Chapter One

Celeste’s POV 

“Daddy, why don’t you marry Auntie Vanessa?”

Damien was zipping up our five-year-old daughter’s dress when she suggested he marry my best friend three hours before our wedding.

Why would she say something like that?

Bonnie’s words pierced my heart like a needle. But what cut so deeply was Damien’s silence. The man I’d given up my career for, to care for our family while he built his business, said nothing. 

We’ve come so far. I thought bitterly. I’d been there for him through every struggle, every late night, every moment of doubt. We’d built this life together—starting with Bonnie, who came into this world before we even had a wedding. 

Damien had promised me a dream wedding, a day to make up for all the sacrifices. But now, standing here, I couldn’t help but wonder if those promises were just nonsense.

Bonnie and I had just been arguing over which flower girl dress she would wear. Last month we went to a boutique with Vanessa where I found the perfect dress. But Vanessa had bought another dress for Bonnie and given it to her behind my back. 

Vanessa and I met in college. We were classmates who quickly became best friends. When she was struggling to find work, I asked Damien if he could give her a job at his company. 

Since then, we saw her a lot more often and Bonnie became very attached to her. Their relationship often struck a nerve. I constantly had to remind myself that Bonnie was five, and it was probably just a phase. 

But recently Vanessa had been stepping over the line far too often. I was Bonnie’s mother, and this was my wedding, so what dress my daughter and flower girl wore should have been my call. 

Maybe she was confused about her duties as the maid of honour? 

Damien came into the makeup room while I was trying to convince Bonnie to wear the dress I chose. She sprung into tears the moment she saw him. 

“Why are you always so harsh with her, Celeste?” Damien’s voice was icy as he strode across the room to Bonnie. 

“I wasn’t being harsh. She’s throwing a tantrum.” I tried to suppress my hurt and frustration. 

Damien crouched down to Bonnie’s level, ignoring me. He spoke to her in hushed tones. My heart melted as he wiped the tears from her cheeks. 

I snapped a picture of the two people my world revolved around. Bonnie looked adorable in her dress.

“Thank you, daddy!” Bonnie squealed. 

Damien always had a way with people. I smiled as she dashed out of the room. 

“What did you say to make her so happy?”

He stood up and gave me a stony glare. 

“I told her she could wear the dress Vanessa chose for her.”

“What? Damien, we spent hours finding the perfect dress. The one Vanessa chose doesn’t fit with the colour scheme—”

“Seriously, Celeste?” He stood up. “Why do you always have to be so difficult?”

“I really wasn’t. It’s just that I’ve been dreaming of this wedding for five years. I—”

“Yeah and in those five years you’ve changed a lot. Sitting around doing nothing all day has really made you such a nag.”

He reached into his pocket for his phone and turned away from me. I was speechless as he sat down to scroll. 

It felt like he’d pushed me off a cliff into icy water. 

Today was a happy day. I wiped my face, glad I hadn’t done my makeup yet.

“Are you nervous?” I asked.

Damien nodded, not bothering to look up from his phone.

Bonnie bursted into the room. The bright magenta of her dress was an eyesore. 

“Daddy, please zip my dress.”

She was bouncing as she admired her reflection. 

“Hold still, Bonnie.” Damien was struggling.

I imagined the zipper breaking and felt immediate guilt. Bonnie may have looked like she was imitating a certain purple dinosaur, but she was happy. 

“I can help.” I moved toward them.

That’s when Bonnie asked, “Daddy, why don’t you marry Auntie Vanessa?”

I stopped dead in my tracks. The sound of the dress zipping filled the silence.

Damien smiled at our daughter in the mirror. He swooped down to kiss the top of her head when the door opened.

“You look beautiful, Bon-Bon.”

The makeup artist swooned at the sight of Damien being paternal. It irritated me, but he had that effect on women.

“Mr Kent—”

“Please, Damien. And you are?” He stretched out a hand.

“Kelly.” She managed with a blush. “Your groomsmen need you in the fitting room.”

Damien sent her smile. “Thank you, Kelly.”

Damien gave Bonnie her iPad before leaving. 

Annoyed, I sat in front of the mirror. Kelly’s makeup case clunked onto the table. She cleared her throat.

“You have a lovely family. You must be so happy.”

I nodded, and she got started.

My face transformed in front of me. With every minute that it became more flawless, I could see why an onlooker would think we were happy.

A successful husband, adorable daughter, doting mother, and dream wedding.

So why did I feel more lonely and bitter with each sweep of makeup?

“All done, Mrs Kent. You look gorgeous.”

“Thanks, Kelly.”

Bonnie tossed her iPad onto the seat and ran to take my place.

“My turn!”

“Honey, you’re still a bit too young to wear makeup.”

She crossed her arms. “Auntie Vanessa would let me. Why can’t she be my mommy?”

The wall around my heart cracked.

“Kelly, would you mind doing my daughter’s makeup? Something natural, please.”

“Sure thing.” 

Bonnie’s face lit up.

“I’m going to go see if your dad is ready. Be a good girl, okay?” I asked as I opened the door, but Bonnie was already engrossed in the makeup.

 I took a few steadying breaths. I had just spent an hour on my makeup and really couldn’t afford to cry.

“Wow. You look stunning, Celeste.” I heard Damien’s charming best man, Ryan, call out from down the hallway.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” 

“If you ever wanna trade up,” he winked, “I’ll be the handsome one standing behind the groom.”

I laughed at his antics. Ryan was a terrible flirt, but he knew how to lift anyone’s mood.

“You’re such a tease. Have you seen my husband anywhere?”

“I was actually coming to see if he was with you.”

“Oh, I’ll check the fitting rooms.”

“Let me know if you find him.” He called out as I went on my way.

I wondered if Damien would also think I looked stunning as I reached the fitting rooms. Excitement filled me and I finally felt a little lighter.

“Damien? Are you–” 

I opened the door and the world stopped making sense. 

Damien sat in a plush armchair with his face buried in Vanessa’s breasts. She was riding him hard. My best friend’s mouth twisted into a smirk when she saw me.