THE MORNING AFTER

LAURA

My eyes peered open and I found myself still in the master bedroom of Xavier’s pent house.

It wasn’t a dream. But some part of me wanted it to—Donovan’s existence, this marriage contract with Xavier, the family who’d adopted me.

All of it.

If I could only sleep and wake up and find out that it was all a figment of my imagination. But wishes like that don’t come true.

I turned in bed feeling groggy and not wanting to get up. My gut still hurt and my mind still reeled from the news of Donovan’s death.

I couldn’t shake off the image of Xavier’s cold expression when he told me about it, the way he said “apparent suicide” like he was simply commenting on the weather.

I push myself up, sitting at the edge of the bed as I look out of the window, watching the sun rise over Chicago.

The pink and orange hues softened the atmosphere of the room but that didn't help ward off the deep sinking feeling I had at the depths of my stomach.

The very epiphany that I'd made a deal with someone far more dangerous than I understood. I looked down at my hands and they wouldn't stop trembling.

I dragged myself to the shower, spending more time than I should have. Maybe somehow, the hot water would wash away the way I felt.

I slipped into the only decent outfit I brought along. A lavender dress, thigh high, tight at the bodice, flare at the bottom.

It was simple and felt heavily inadequate for marrying a billionaire, but here I was.

“Here goes nothing I guess,” I take a deep breath and twist the door knob open. When I stepped out of the bedroom, the first person I spotted was Juniper at the end of the hallway.

She was on her phone, holding a garment bag and next to her was a lady I didn't recognize.

She looked effortlessly beautiful in her bare face, and somewhat, I felt a little self conscious. Like something not to be compared.

I walked towards them and when Juniper lifted her eyes, her expression was unreadable.

“Took you long enough.”

“G–Good morning,” I greeted nervously, looking over at the woman beside her and the curiosity on my face must've been obvious.

“This is Celeste,” Juniper nudged at the lady who then greeted with a small ‘hello’.

“She's going to be your stylist for today. Xavier’s arranged for a proper wedding dress as well,” she pushed the garment bag forward. “Since the press will be there and such.”

I blinked at her, my thoughts getting the best of me.

If Xavier needed to go as far as getting me a ‘proper’ wedding dress and even a stylist, it wasn't going to be a quiet courthouse affair like I had imagined it.

I had thought that since this was simply an agreement and would last for only two years, it would be kept private. Away from the public.

But I guess I was wrong.

“Hey,” Juniper called out, waving her hand in the air. “If you're ready we can start anytime now.”

“Yes, of course.” I nodded, breaking out of my haze.

The stylist started preparations the moment we settled into the room.

She set me up in front of the vanity and I tried my best to sit still but it was impossibly hard seeing as my heart rammed harder against my chest with every passing second.

I was really getting married to the Xavier Blackwell, the man with the touch of ice, who wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anything that proved to be an obstruction to him.

I gulped hard as I watched Celeste move skillfully, doing my hair and make up with practiced ease.

I peered through the mirror at Juniper who sat at the edge of the bed with one leg crossed over the other.

She was quiet and mostly on her phone throughout the process. But, I did catch her staring at me now and again.

The thing was…I couldn't understand her a single bit.

She acted all cold so far but in those micro moments when she checked in on me with her eyes, I could see something that came off as worry? Concern?

It was obvious last night that she didn't seem so fond of me and apparently didn't ‘trust’ people, so why would she be worried about me?

It made me wonder if it had something to do with Xavier.

Maybe she was worried about my safety, or was she just worried her brother was marrying a complete stranger.

Whichever it was, it didn't help ease my nerves. In fact, I felt my anxiety sky rocket and I suddenly didn't want to go through with this anymore.

“All done,” Celeste beamed, brushing off the last bit of blush from my face. I had been so busy in my frustration to register the astonishment looking back at me in the mirror.

“Oh my God,” I breathed in awe.

I looked gorgeous. No, gorgeous was an understatement. I never figured I would look this unrecognizable.

There was not a single flaw in the make up and the moment she let the pins from my curled up hair fall and brushed them out, I was even more speechless.

“You look beautiful, Mrs. Blackwell.”

“Mrs. Blackwell,” I repeated, still in disbelief.

That was right.

Even if what Xavier had done was a little cruel, he had saved me from my stalker and despite being scared, I was also eternally grateful.

And for that, I had to make sure to repay the favor by marrying him so he could successfully merge with his mother's company.

“Just hold on,” Celeste said, touching my shoulders. “I just have to get some setting spray then we can move on to the dress.”

I nodded and she walked to the other side of the room where her supplies were laid.

I saw that as my opportunity.

“Um…Grace was a lovely woman,” I started, turning around to look at Juniper. “Resilient and cheerful.”

If any of this was going to go through, I'd rather not have his sister as a mortal enemy.

“She was one of my favorite patients.”

“Yea, mum was as stubborn as they came. I never imagined she could've lost against cancer.” She muttered, finally looking up from her screen.

“She put up a good fight,” I added with a gentle smile. “She didn't give in so easily. She fought till the very end.”

Juniper didn't say anything to that but I could see the way her eyes softened.

She must've loved her a lot.

“How was Xavier like?” I asked, “Before your mum got sick, that is?”

Just then, Juniper's face twisted and I felt her walls slam right back up against me.

“You better not hurt him.”

“Hurt him? Why—”

“I didn't ask for your input, it's a warning.” She stood. “Don't hurt my brother, he's been through enough. I'm going to grab a glass of water.”

With that, she left the room.

What did she mean by Xavier's ‘been through enough?’ What could possibly hurt a man who could order someone's death without blinking?