4. Mine And Daddy's first Mistake

The sunlight burned through my skin, urging me awake. It had been one week since the pool party ordeal, and today was finally the wedding.

The moment when it all becomes real. When my mother marries her love, and I lose mine.

But it was for the best. He was never mine to begin with. After the wedding, I planned to transfer to a college somewhere farther away, somewhere beyond where those eyes could see me or my dangerous cravings.

I shook my head, hoping to push everything to the back of my mind. I headed for the bathroom before giving my dress one last glance.

The water was cold, so it seeped through my bones like it knew I needed the strength. Before I could even think, I broke down in tears. I knew I shouldn't cry, but it didn't make it hurt any less. They were getting married, and I was supposed to watch and smile through everything like it wasn't killing me.

I needed him too.

Just like my mother needed him, so did I. But I knew it was never going to be us standing at that altar, not in this lifetime, at least.

I showered quickly and changed into my maid of honour dress. After applying a bit of makeup, I was done nothing too extravagant.

Today was all about my mother, and her alone, I said to myself like a mantra.

As I stood close to my mother at the altar, waiting for the groom, I noticed Aaron was nowhere to be seen. I casually remembered the first time I saw him.

The first time I saw those beautiful blue eyes of his, when my mother had practically dragged me out of bed on a Saturday, my hair a complete mess and my see-through nightgown leaving nothing to the imagination.

My mother was excited, saying she had finally found a man good enough for her after my father's awful betrayal, leaving her for his PA.

I stood outside waiting when the engine of a car could be heard. Then came the footsteps. Then came Aaron.

He stepped in with all his glory tall, blond, and perfect and just like that, our eyes met, and my heart felt like it could combust into nothing. He stared at me, his eyes widening a bit before regaining his composure. My mother was somehow oblivious to this little interaction.

And from that day onwards, every glance and every touch felt like my purpose in life. I fought what I felt with all my heart, but somehow I always found myself thinking of my mother's forty-five-year-old soon-to-be husband, my soon-to-be stepfather.

After a few minutes, Aaron showed up, a bit drunk, with his eyes fixed on me right in front of everyone, like he didn't care. It seemed like he had been fighting a war himself, and he had probably lost it.

"My dear, are you okay?"

My mother asked sweetly.

"I'm good, my dear. Just drank a bit too much with the boys, that's all," he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek, his eyes still on me.

I avoided his gaze. He needed to have some shame. He was marrying my mother any moment from now.

We sat quietly as the priest came forward to finalize their union.

I stood behind my mother as my eyes stayed slightly fixed on Aaron's, while his were now on my mother.

"We are all gathered here to join Mary Philips and Aaron Carter as man and wife. Those who wish otherwise should come forward now or forever hold their peace."

The priest's voice echoed through the church, but of course, no one did. And just like that, my mother and Aaron were pronounced husband and wife, and my life was completely over.

Throughout the ceremony, not once did he look at me or even glance my way. All he did was kiss and shower my mother with love and affection, and I was simply tossed aside like nothing.

The party went on, and I tried to keep him out of my thoughts, but to no avail.

By the late hours of the night, I took a walk down to the nearest beach, hoping to soak my sorrows away.

Instead, I found the one man I was running from there, almost like he was waiting for me. The moment he noticed my presence, he stepped out completely naked, with not a single care in the world.

"I've been waiting for you."

Yet again, I was lost for words. How did he find me, and what was he doing here?

I moved back, only to be pulled back into his embrace again, and this time his urgency was felt.

      I smelt the Alchol over his breath.He was drunk.Very if i must add.I pulled away trying to get out of his embrace, I needed to get back to everyone before something untold happens.

  He kept pulling me close calling me his wife.

  It seems he thought I was my mother.Stop it Aaron you are drunk" I'm not my mother.

   "Of course you are baby, look at that beautiful face of yours now don't be shy give me a hug and those slutty kisses of yours"

  Before I could think he slams his lips on mine, sucking them alongside my breath.

  I should walk away.Pull him away from me this shouldn't be happening, I'm wrong for letting this happen.

  He kept pulling me closer even as i resist calling all sorts of sweet name, all the delusion I was my mother.

   I knew something was off when he came in late this morning and a bit drunk,but whatever was going on I refuse to betray my mother much more on her wedding night.

    "Mary...."

My heart tightened at the sound of my mother's name.

   I'm not my mother!

I pushed back,but he pulled me in even more kissing and caressing me all over.

   He pulled back looking at my face like he was searching for something but couldn't find it.

      For a brief second I wondered if he saw me at all.

     He looked sad.Like he was confused.

I freed myself from his embrace this time.

   "Aaron your are very drunk.You need to rest"

  A bitter smile touched his lips.

"I know you are a bit angry, about this morning me coming to the altar looking like that?"

   I swallowed.

Because I wasn't angry.

     I could never be angry with him.

But I knew one thing I refused to be my mother's replacement.

"“Baby…” he murmured, reaching for my waist again. “Come here.”

He pulled me closer until only inches separated us, and his dark eyes settled on my.lips.

“Aaron…” My voice trembled. “This… this is wrong. I’m not my mother…”

“Shhhhh.”

He silenced me with another desperate kiss, pressing his lips against mine with a new urgency.