All Chapters of The Last Minute Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

21 - Aurora“We need to tell my dad.”“What? Why? Isn’t the idea to not tell your parents until it’s too late for them to stop anything?” We sit on my couch with laptops and papers spread all over my living room.“Yeah, but that is more for my mom’s sake. She doesn’t really understand what is going on, or at least that is what she is pretending to do. She is really good at sticking her head in the sand, only resurfacing when the problem has been handled.” She rolls her eyes at me. “She’s not a bad person, just lazy by design. Her and my dad were matched up kind of like what they are doing to me. They are lucky though and I think they eventually fell in love, or something like it. But, my dad needs to know in case sh*t hits the fan and we need help. You also asked to see the marriage contracts. He ocan get those for us, be our go-between.”“I mean, if you’re sure. I just don’t want this to turn into a battle or for him to try and change your mind.”“He won’t say anything, because it’s a

23 - NathanI am getting ready with Brandon and Sam. We have done everything together, including taking over family businesses and sending Brandon down the aisle a few years ago.Sam is a little salty because he can’t go and meet my mystery bride, but he’s faking his enthusiasm well. I was told my bride made a stipulation that I could only bring one groomsman to the first look and like the adults that we are, they played rock, paper, scissors for the honor. When I found out that the one person rule applied to everyone, including her parents and my grandfather and uncle, I was happy. My bride at least has shown a sense of intelligence. I’m not sure if we have met and the first time should not be at the end of the aisle. It crossed my mind that Sullivan is keeping her identity a secret because it’s likely that I do know her and don’t like her. But this last minute request tells me otherwise. No girl attached to my grandfather would care about meeting me first, and most certainly would

25 - NathanWhen the photographer tells us she has all that she needs Aurora pulls away from me quickly not making eye contact. Maybe the moment I thought we shared was just for me. She focuses on the photographers camera when she speaks next. “How do we want to do this, because I’m sure your grandfather is going to have a lot to say and so will Mia’s mother.” She grimaces, finally looking up at me. “I know it was risky to make her my bridesmaid, but right now she needs to be protected from all of this. She needs to be near me until it all blows over.”“Wait, she’s here?! Now you know someone is going to try and force her and I to marry right?” I run my fingers through my hair as my heart drops again and this time it isn’t a good feeling. My grandfather with try and force the situation to his benefit, which is Mia as my wife. He wants to control her, that much is a given with this situation.“I thought you had a mind of your own and could choose for yourself?” She bites back, she’s eas

27 - Aurora I stuff down my frustrations and put on my best smile. I have to go through with this now more than ever. I won’t let Mia anywhere near Sullivan Westfield or his son. Mis squeezes my hand. I’m not sure if she heard or understood what was being discussed, but we are here together. Mia helps me get my veil in place before the limo door is opened. We climb out and I refuse to look at or make contact with Nathan, my emotions are all over the place and I need space. As we are let in the back door, Nathan nods to a person I can only assume is an employee of sorts.“Will you please take my fiance to her place and keep everyone away from her until after the ceremony. Mia, I will have you stay with Brandon. He can keep you hidden better” With no further instructions, I am lead away with no companion.The woman in front of me must have done her research because she seems to know every secret passage and hallway. We see no one on our way to the back of the church and she has me pl

29 - NathanI am ready to kill my best friend. I had not planned on telling her I have been looking for her obsessively like a lovesick puppy since the day she disappeared…ever. He and Sam are the only ones I told about that night and I didn’t give them all the details, just enough to help them understand how special she is. She is like no one I have ever met before. She treated me like a person not a bank account and had no idea who Nathan Westfield the celebrity or brand name was. Even after the merger with Lady C’s company we never had any contact. But I was able to see how she worked and what she’s able to accomplish with that mind of hers. I know she was dedicated to that tool of a boyfriend and gave him far more time than he deserved, but she worked on projects for our combined enterprises and should have had brief run-ins in some capacity with me, but nothing. No matter how much time I forced myself to be in proximity with Lady C and Mallory inside their company I never saw Aur