CHAPTER 4

AMARA

The closer I got to the altar, the more nervous I became. I had spent the entire week knowing that Tristan Westbrook did not know I was going to be his bride, but knowing it from my father's explanation was very different from actually seeing him standing there and realizing that I was about to marry a man I had never even spoken to before today.

My father was beside me, and I could feel how tightly I was holding his arm. I tried to relax my fingers as we continued walking, but it was difficult when every person inside the church seemed to be looking directly at me. I kept my eyes forward until I finally reached the altar, and that was when I got my first proper look at the man I was about to marry.

Tristan Westbrook was much more handsome than I had expected.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair that was neatly styled and a strong, well-defined face. His black tuxedo fitted him perfectly, making him look even more polished and intimidating, and there was something naturally confident about the way he stood in front of everyone. I had heard so much about him from my father that I had expected someone serious and unapproachable, but seeing him in person was different because he looked younger than I had imagined while still carrying the kind of presence that made it difficult not to notice him.

My father stopped beside him and placed my hand in Tristan's. His hand was warm, and for a second, I became even more conscious of how nervous I was.

Tristan looked at me before speaking quietly enough that only I could hear him.

“You're Amara Bellrose, right? I know we were supposed to meet before today, but everything happened so quickly that I wasn't given much information about the change.”

I swallowed before answering because I knew exactly what he meant.

“Yes, I'm Amara, and I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. My father told me last night that you weren't informed about the change, and I knew that Selene had refused the marriage, but I didn't have any control over what happened after that.”

His expression remained controlled, but I could tell he was still trying to understand the situation.

“So you already knew that I was expecting Selene?”

“Yes, my father told me before I agreed to come here. I knew you were expecting her, and I also knew that you had no idea that the arrangement had been changed, which is why I was nervous about walking down that aisle.”

He seemed to think about my answer before quietly saying that he understood. The priest began the ceremony shortly afterward, so we stopped talking and faced the altar.

I tried to concentrate on what was happening, but my mind kept wandering. Everything felt unreal, from the people watching us to the ring waiting on the small cushion beside the priest. A week ago, I had been working on a design in my bedroom and worrying about whether a client would approve my proposal, and now I was standing in a church preparing to marry Tristan Westbrook.

When it was time for our vows, I repeated every word carefully. Tristan did the same, and when he slipped the wedding ring onto my finger, I stared at it for a moment before raising my eyes to him again.

A few minutes later, the priest announced that we were officially husband and wife.

The guests applauded, and Tristan turned toward me. He gave me a small, polite smile before leaning closer.

“Well, I suppose congratulations are in order. We managed to get through the ceremony without either of us running away.”

I couldn't help smiling at that.

“I thought about running away twice, but there were too many people watching, so I decided it would be embarrassing. Besides, my father probably would have found me before I reached the parking lot.”

That made him smile again, and for the first time since I reached the altar, I felt a little less tense.

The reception began shortly afterward, and the next hour passed with people coming toward us to offer their congratulations. I was introduced to relatives and business associates whose names I immediately forgot because there were too many of them. Tristan handled the conversations easily, answering questions about the business and thanking everyone for coming while I stood beside him and tried to keep up.

Eventually, when there was finally a short break, Tristan leaned toward me.

“You've been standing here for almost an hour, and you've barely eaten anything. If you want to step outside for a while, we can find somewhere quieter.”

I glanced at the crowded room and then back at him.

“I was actually wondering when I could escape without looking rude. I didn't want to leave you alone because everyone seems to know you, and I thought it would be strange if your new wife disappeared during the first hour of the reception.”

“You don't have to worry about that. I'm used to these events, and I can handle a few conversations without you standing beside me the entire time.”

We left the reception area and walked toward a quieter hallway that led to a small garden outside. Once we were away from the guests, I finally felt like I could breathe normally again.

Tristan stopped near the garden doors and turned toward me.

“I want to ask you something, and I don't want you to think I'm blaming you for any of this. I'm simply trying to understand how you ended up becoming my wife when I was told that Selene would be standing beside me today.”

I folded my hands in front of me and took a moment before answering.