Chapter 19

My four brothers stand beside me in the beautiful vineyard Hannah and I originally chose as our wedding venue.

Countless friends of Hannah’s are seated in front of us, whispering quietly amongst themselves.

Their invitations simply stated that they were jointly invited by the Windsors and the Du Ponts.

There was never any mention of a wedding.

We arranged it that way to keep paparazzi from crashing the ceremony, but now it’s working in our favor for an entirely different reason.

I was supposed to announce what everyone was gathered here for the moment I stepped up to the altar.

But how the hell am I supposed to do that when I still don’t know who my bride will be?

“It’s for the best,” Lex says quietly, and Luca nods in agreement.

“She could still change her mind,” I argue.

But all four of them immediately shake their heads.

“She won’t,” Zane replies calmly. “And someday you’re going to thank her for it.”

Dion looks at me steadily.

“Whatever happens today, Ares, remember that you’re a Windsor. None of us truly choose our wives.”

His expression hardens slightly.

“It’s a tradition that’s worked for generations, so have a little faith, alright?”

I grit my teeth.

“I’ll make sure to remind you of that when it’s your turn.”

Dion is the only one besides me whose engagement was arranged years ago too.

Even from here, I can spot his fiancée sitting quietly near the back.

I suppose things are different for them, though.

Dion lives in London, and as far as I know, they only see each other when Grandma forces them into the same room or during major family events like this.

They’ve never dated the way Hannah and I did.

Lex sighs and drags a hand through his hair.

“Would marrying Raven really be that terrible?” he asks casually. “Hell, if you don’t want her, maybe I should take your place.”

I immediately tense, fury crashing through me so fast it nearly blinds me.

Lex catches my expression instantly and smirks knowingly.

“What?” he asks innocently. “Can’t stand the thought of Raven with someone else? I thought you didn’t want her as your wife.”

“Fuck off,” I snap.

The boys burst out laughing while I turn away from them completely.

The mere idea of Raven with Lexington fills me with irrational rage.

I shouldn’t feel possessive over her.

But I do.

Music suddenly begins to play.

The doors swing open.

And the entire world around me disappears.

I hold my breath, my heart pounding violently.

Did Hannah change her mind?

Surely she wouldn’t throw away years of planning a future with me.

Years of building our relationship together.

Then Raven appears at the end of the aisle on her father’s arm.

She freezes briefly the moment her eyes meet mine.

And I force myself to smile at her.

Raven Du Pont.

Never in a million years did I imagine I’d one day watch her walk toward me in a wedding dress.

Especially not one designed for her sister instead of her.

What must this feel like for her?

Nothing about today truly belongs to her.

Not the dress.

Not the ceremony.

Not even the man waiting at the altar.

Arthur’s expression remains grave as he places Raven’s trembling hand into mine.

I immediately tighten my grip around her fingers.

She’s shaking.

Fear and uncertainty fill her eyes while the officiant begins the ceremony.

“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Raven Du Pont and Ares Windsor—”

Both of us visibly relax.

It never even occurred to me to update him about the change of bride beforehand.

Jesus Christ.

I can’t even imagine how humiliating it would’ve been if he’d accidentally said Hannah’s name instead.

I rub slow circles against the back of Raven’s hand with my thumb, trying to calm her somehow.

“Raven,” I whisper softly.

She glances up at me immediately.

“You look breathtaking.”

Some of the tension leaves her shoulders, and for the first time today, she gives me a genuine smile.

I still can’t fully process this.

I’m marrying Raven.

My ex-fiancée’s younger sister.

Sierra’s best friend.

The woman who was never supposed to stand here beside me.

And yet somehow…

Here we are.

This is forever for us.

The Windsors don’t believe in divorce.

How much has Raven sacrificed to stand beside me today?

And how much more is this marriage going to cost both of us before it’s over?

The officiant motions for the rings, and I instinctively cringe.

The wedding band Zane hands me is the one Hannah originally chose.

Pain flashes across Raven’s face the moment I slide the delicate pavé diamond ring onto her finger.

It fits her perfectly.

And somehow that only makes everything feel even more wrong.

Her hands tremble while she slides my platinum band onto my finger.

She still can’t quite meet my eyes.

Every part of today is hurting her.

And there’s absolutely nothing I can do to fix it.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Raven freezes instantly.

I step closer and gently cup her cheek before lowering my forehead against hers.

“This is it,” I whisper softly. “From this moment forward, you’re my wife.”

My thumb brushes against her skin.

“Mine to care for. Mine to cherish. Mine to protect.”

I swallow hard.

“I know this isn’t the life you wanted for yourself, but I swear I’ll give you everything I have, Raven.”

She pulls back slightly just to look at me.

Then she nods.

A small smile appears on her lips.

I smirk faintly before leaning down, intending to give her nothing more than a polite ceremonial kiss.

Just enough for the crowd.

Just enough to get through this.

But the second my lips touch hers, every ounce of restraint disappears.

I bury my hand in her hair and yank her closer, kissing her with a desperation I can’t even explain.

Raven gasps softly against my mouth, and I immediately deepen the kiss, forcing her lips apart.

This kiss becomes something else entirely.

A promise.

A vow.

A warning for everything still to come.

She’s my wife now.

And I fully intend to treat her like one.

This kiss is reassurance.

From this moment forward…

I belong to her too.

This may not be what either of us wanted.

But somehow, we’re still going to make the best of it.

By the time I finally pull away, her cheeks are flushed and her lipstick is ruined.

And despite everything, I can’t help smiling at the dazed expression on her face.

There’s unmistakable desire hidden inside those beautiful hazel eyes.

“Mr. and Mrs. Windsor!” the officiant announces proudly.

The crowd erupts into cheers.

Grandma Anne watches us with obvious satisfaction.

But Raven’s parents can barely even look at her.

Honestly?

I’m not surprised.

They sacrificed her happiness to protect their company.

They neglected her for years.

And now they’ve done this to her too.

They owe her more than they’ll ever be able to repay.

“Come on,” I murmur quietly to her. “The faster we finish the formalities, the faster we can leave.”

Because I don’t want her spending another second longer than necessary reenacting the wedding that was supposed to belong to her sister.