Page 37 of Carnal Games

I loosen the tie and reach inside the velvet bag. My fingers graze something round. I take it out and gasp at the beautiful pair of gold bangles.

“They belonged to yourdadi,”Dadusays tightly. His voice is thick with emotions. “Now, they’re yours. Wear them tonight.”

A tear slides down my cheek without permission. “I-I will.”

“Shh,” Nathan consoles, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and tucking me into his side. Noticing the tremor in my hands, he takes the bangles and carefully slides them on my wrist. “Stunning.”

I turn to mydadu, who’s studying us softly. “Thank you for this.”

“I’ll see you downstairs. Don’t be late.” Looking between us, he reminds, “The Muhurat starts soon.”

Rosalie tightens her hand around the handles of the wheelchair to take him back, when Nathan speaks up, “I’ll take him. You both stay with Iris.”

“Thanks.”

Kissing my cheek, Nathan leaves with my grandfather.

As soon as we’re alone, a shit-eating grin spreads across my best friend’s faces.

“Finally, a wedding without any drama,” utters Bianca. “Or covert plans.”

“Guess third time’s a charm,” singsongs Rosalie.

If only they knew.

Chapter Ten

Iris

Déjà vu slams into me as I reach the entrance of the same ballroom I visited three years ago. It feels like just yesterday I came here, all giddy and exuberant and hopeful.

And so, so naïve.

I shiver, sensing a hand glide down my arm and interlace their fingers with mine. Gathering my breath, I look up into Nathan’s warm eyes and it feels like no time has passed.

I know he’s feeling the same.

Except, it’s not a celebration of his parents’ wedding anniversary, but our engagement.

Once we step into the cavernous room, there will be no turning back.

“Showtime,” says Urja, the event planner.

The crescendo of the acoustic music played by a live quartet picks up. So does my heartbeat, drumming its own dark climax.

Our hands joined tightly, Nathan and I enter the room. Forging a path that will disrupt our lives forever.

A chorus of claps and hoots echo around us. Our family and friends are among the loudest in the masses. I catch my mother holding her tears at bay while my reserved dad’s eyes glisten and shine with pure adoration, my grandfather right in the middle.

Rosalie and Bianca, tucked into their husbands’ arms, record and snap pictures with their phones raised high and delightful smiles on their faces.

A trickle of guilt that has a permanent residence makes my stomach turn as I let them believe the lie.

What they’re seeing is a couple taking their long-term relationship to the next level. Starting the new chapter of their lives.

They don’t know it’s a seedy deal like the beginning of their marriages were.

A fake one between Bianca and Dash.

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