Chapter 4 _____ The Wedding

|| KATHERINE HARPER's POV ||

Ace snatched the chance from me, his lips curling up into a devilish smile,

" Seems like I have to introduce myself again. I am Ace King, your girlfriend's ex and the man who took her virginity, kissed her a while ago in the party."

Too stunned, I shot Ace a knife like glare. I never knew that he was so desperate to tear me apart. Rowan's face sank as he clenched his fists on his side. To my surprise, he shifted his attention to me, not willing to discuss in front of Ace,

" Katherine! We should go back to our home first. I can hear you there."

Tears of emotions rolled down from my eyes. I knew that Rowan was the right man for me. He had accompanied me for years and knew the best of me. I nodded hurriedly and went over to him before giving Ace a final glare,

" Let's go back first, Rowan!"

We both walked in a different direction but I could feel his piercing gaze on our back always like the devil who never leaves shadow.

______

" So that's how it is! Why didn't you tell me first?", Rowan whispered in a low voice, his eyes dropping on me with concern.

I had told him everything about Ace and me except the part of our dark secrets. It was supposed to stay between me and Ace only. So, I didn't tell Rowan anything about those dark parts. I didn't want to lose everything once again.

I mumbled, hanging my head down lowly,

" I thought..you would misunderstand.."

Rowan let out a heavy sigh and walked over to wrap me in his arms. I felt vulnerable in his arms and finally burst into tears, speaking from my heart out,

" I thought..you would leave me, Rowan..So..I was scared of telling you..why are you here? Your parents.."

Rowan cooed me to stay calm. That's why I loved this guy the most because of his warm personality. Whenever I was upset or felt broken, he knew what to do. He replied in a determined voice, rubbing on my back,

" I have made up my mind already. I told you already, Kat. I will only marry you in this life no matter what. I don't care if my parents agree or not. We are getting married tomorrow."

I looked up at him in bewilderment. Was I really dreaming? What did I do to deserve this fine man in front of me?

Rowan reconfirmed with a smile, kissing on my forehead gently,

" It's true. We will get married tomorrow. I am sure that they won't say anything once we get married. Get ready to be my bride."

__________

I couldn't believe that it was happening for real. Like his words, Rowan had set up our wedding the next day. It was a simple yacht wedding. His parents had blocked his card. So, he could manage to do that only. However, I was grateful for the things that he managed to do for me. I wanted nothing else except a family.

I hope, the part of Ace's journey ended here. Regarding my father's bail, Rowan assured me that I waited for years and it was no big deal to wait for another year.

The door pushed open and Eliana's chirping tone echoed out in the room,

" Darling! You look so gorgeous..."

I turned my head back, smiling up at her brightly. Eliana was the only friend that I had left in New York. Many of them had cut off already as my father was no longer a reputed person.

I adjusted my veil before standing up nervously,

" Is everyone here?"

Eliana grinned, coming next to hold me,

" Your groom is here already and our friends! Let's go now! I can't wait to see how Rowan drools on you."

Rowan told me that it would be our friends only. Since I had no family left and Rowan's parents disowned him practically, our friends were the only one left. In fact, I had no idea who he invited from my friends at the wedding. It was Eliana and him who made the whole invitation list for the wedding. I had to run between stores to select my wedding gown. It wasn't that expensive but it was special to me. For God's sake, it was my wedding day.

Eliana brought me to the aisle. I couldn't stop the tears from forming in my eyes. Every girl dreamt of having her father by her side at her wedding. But I was born with poor luck. Even though I had a father, he was practically a non-existent figure in my life. In fact, I had a doubt whether he would have agreed to let me get married to Rowan if he was out of jail. After all, money and power that's all mattered to him. Rowan could be a rich heir but they didn't hold much power in society.

It was Eliana's boyfriend, Kaden who walked me down to the aisle after becoming my sworn brother. I was really grateful to Eliana for the last minute plan that she came up with. Each moment, I stepped closer to the stage, my steps kept shaking like a fallen leaf. I was still feeling surreal that I was getting married to the man that I loved. After what happened ten years ago,I never thought that I would be dreaming of a family again.

Rowan led me up on the stage, his face full of smiling. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore and thanked him from the bottom of my heart,

" Thank you.. like really...I never thought that I deserved this happiness."

Rowan kissed the back of my palms, snorting with a smile,

" You deserve the world, Princess. I told you. I am not going to leave you ever."

Principessa! Principessa!

My memory hit back to the moment as soon as Rowan called me his princess. I was shaking again not for the nervousness but the memories which were awake again. Why couldn't I forget about him after everything? Why did I have to remember his every detail?

I urged Rowan, wiping the sweat from my forehead,

" Start the ritual! We should hurry up."

Rowan gave me a strange glare but he smiled even more brightly and told the priest,

" Yes! Let's start this."

Our vows began to resonate in the air. Despite the blooming happiness in my heart, my chest felt stuffy as if something deep was buried in my chest. It was making me suffocate and nauseous badly. Some faded memories often came between the scenes of my mind but I pushed them away every time.

My thoughts became disrupted when the priest's voice echoed loudly,

" Now, you may exchange your rings."

Eliana came forward with our rings, smiling emotionally at me. Only she knew how I wished for a family of mine. From Rowan's side, one of his friends came over to us with a ring. Right after we picked up our rings, the projector behind the priest started on its own.

We all were a little surprised then looked behind it. I was pretty sure that it was set up for the after party to show the love for the bride by displaying their sweet memories. Well, that's how everyone planned in the wedding. I couldn't understand why he started playing it now. Nevertheless, I kept staring at the screen with a hopeful smile. Even I started ignoring the uneasiness of my heart and kept telling myself that Ace was only my past and we didn't owe each others anything.

In a few seconds, all my sweet dreams shattered when an indecent sound started coming out of the video, clearly showing two figures on the bed....