Page 101 of Bride By Coronation

Sean steps in front of his sister. "You can't stay mad at me forever."

"Watch me."

"Fiona—"

"I'm not getting into this right now. You don't get my forgiveness for putting me through months of stress and everything that's to come until I'm ready," she states.

My gut flips.

She doesn't want to be married to me.

Of course she doesn't.

I silently curse myself again.

"I didn't know what would happen," he claims.

"But yet you agreed to it, as if you owned me," she seethes, her cheeks reddening.

He argues, "You don't know what happened!"

"And how many times did I ask for you to explain?" she scolds.

He bursts out, "I couldn't tell you!"

"Whatever, Sean," she snarls.

Sean glances at me, begging, "Help me out."

My chest tightens. I clear my throat, declaring, "Fiona, I will tell you what happened to have caused you to be in this position when you're ready to hear it. Is that moment now?"

She takes deep breaths, her gaze darting between us, then shakes her head. "No. I'm tired."

Sean grabs her arm. "Fiona?—"

"She isn't ready. Respect her wishes," I caution.

He shuts his mouth, and misery overtakes his sharp features.

I ask, "Perhaps you'd like to hug your sister before we leave?"

His expression softens. He nods, admitting, "Yeah, I would."

"Fine," she grumbles, then steps forward.

They hug.

Zara enters the room, chirping, "Aw. That's a nice sight."

Fiona pulls back.

Zara holds a black velvet box with a silver bow. She says, "I hope you love it."

"What is it?" Fiona asks.

Zara laughs. "Open it and find out!"

Excitement builds again in Fiona's expression. She glances at me, asking, "Do you want to open it?"

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