Chapter 3

Betsy

I couldn’t believe even Roman had noticed I was upset.

Benjamin snapped his head toward me and stepped closer. “Are you unwell?” he asked.

I quickly shook my head, but Barnes cleared his throat. “As you said, we’ll be late,” he reminded them, though I knew he was only saving me from more questions.

“I brought my limo. You can hand your car keys to Pedro,” Roman said to my brothers. “I have some catching up to do with all of you.”

And that’s how we ended up in his limo.

I sat quietly with a drink in my hand while the three of them talked like old times, laughing, teasing, reminiscing. We were only missing one person.

Oliver.

Barnes and Roman were older than us, but now that we were all grown, they treated us like equals. It wasn’t always like that though. When we were younger, they acted like strict big brothers, always telling us what to do, disciplining us whenever we misbehaved.

How time has truly flown.

I still couldn’t believe Oliver was the first among us to get married. I was certain it was Aqua’s idea.

Yet, I couldn’t ignore the fact that someone had been watching me more than usual. Every time I glanced over, I caught Roman staring. And whenever our eyes met, he’d smile like it meant nothing.

For some reason… I liked his smile.

It was boyish, the kind girls fall for easily, though there was nothing boyish about him. Roman and Barnes were thirty-two. Oliver was twenty-eight, Benjamin twenty-nine.

Soon we arrived at the reception.

The place was elegant, everything screaming luxury, just like the Saint family. The bride and groom entered hand in hand, having changed outfits, and guests rushed to congratulate them.

I tried not to look in their direction. It hurt too much.

“We should go congratulate them,” Barnes said.

Roman took a seat instead. “You all go. I’ll wait until the crowd dissipates,” he said, crossing one leg over the other. He pulled out a cigar and placed it between his lips.

Just as he flicked his lighter, his mother smacked him lightly on the head, we hadn't even noticed she was there.

We burst into laughter.

“Did you really think I wasn’t going to scold you for the way you stormed into your brother’s ceremony?” she said.

He scoffed dramatically while people nearby turned to look at the commotion.

“Let’s go greet the newlyweds and leave him to her,” Benjamin said, taking my hand as we walked away.

I turned back once more.

Roman was still being scolded, but he wasn’t looking at his mother.

He was looking at me.

----

It was time to face my fears.

We stopped in front of Oliver and Aqua, and suddenly I felt awkward… out of place.

“Congrats, Oliver,” Barnes said, pulling him into a hug as he patted his back. When he stepped back he turned his head towards Aqua as he took her hand before lightly kissing the back of it, repeating the same congratulatory words.

Benjamin greeted his friend warmly too.

And I faced Aqua.

“Congratulations on your wedding,” I said softly, forcing a small smile.

She smiled brightly, almost sheepishly. The lights reflected off her hair, her glossy lips perfectly poised.

“Thank you so much, Betsy,” she said sweetly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Hearing my name from her mouth made me sick.

My eyes shifted to Oliver. He was smiling at me, but I couldn’t return it.

How dare he marry someone he knew tormented me in high school? Everyone knew about it. And that apology she gave me, the one she clearly didn’t mean, just to get closer to my friends and family.

While I saw my bully…

He saw the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

“Are you okay, Bet?” Oliver asked, concern lacing his voice.

Barnes and Benjamin immediately turned toward me.

“Yes. Congratulations again,” I said quietly. “I just need to sit.”

Benjamin stepped closer and took my hand, worry written over his face as he furrowed his brow. “Let me walk you back, you don't look well.”

I nodded.

“Please, do rest a bit,” Aqua added, pretending to care.

I just wanted to get away from them, I glanced over to Barnes who smiled softly and nodded once.

When we returned, his mother was gone. Only Roman remained, seated with his cigar. His playful expression had vanished. His face was hardened as he watched the crowd pass by, women openly trying to catch his attention, as they gallivanted in front of him, very typical for a man of his status.

The moment he noticed us, his demeanor shifted.

“You’re back early,” he began, then paused. “Is something wrong?”

“I guess Bet needs some rest,” Benjamin said, pulling out a chair for me.

“I’m fine. I just want to sit,” I replied with a forced smile.

“Well, ‘fine’ isn’t what you look like right now. You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Roman said, studying me carefully.

“I’ll leave you here with him. I need to help my friend,” Benjamin said, glancing toward the newlyweds.

I nodded softly as he patted my shoulder and left.

And just like that…

I was alone with a smoking Roman.

My eyes drifted to his lips as he lazily drew from the cigar.

“You don’t like it?” he asked.

My gaze snapped to his as he exhaled the smoke slowly.

“Not that,” I said calmly. “Is that your last one?”

Realization crossed his face. He raised a brow.

“You smoke?” he asked, surprised.

Who exactly did he think I was?

A saint?

No. Knowing him, he still sees me as a kid.