Page 23 of The Silent Note

The applause gets louder.

Zane smiles, easily in control, as if the kiss that blew my mind meant absolutely nothing to him. His fingers close around mine and he tugs me down the aisle.

We’re married.

It hits me in a rush.

I stumble on my feet just as my heart stutters in my chest. But Zane’s hand is a steady presence. He keeps pulling me forward.

Bubbles float through the air. Cadence and Viola are grinning as they blow. Dutch, Finn and Sol look pleased.

They’re all cheering as if this isn’t the end of me.

My reputation.

My social standing.

My relationship with my mother.

I’m risking everything in this moment and yet they celebrate.

My veil skims across my bare shoulder and flutters to the side. It must beckon them because they file out of their pews and follow us through the door, chatting loudly, surrounding us.

This is my family now, in a different way than they were before.

I look down at the rock on my finger and then glance at Zane. He’s looking at me possessively.

My husband…

No.

Goodness no. None of this is real. It’s just a play. Like imaginative children giving life to Barbie and Ken.

I will never consider this a real marriage.

I rip the veil off and shove it into Zane’s chest, my scowl evident.

All the smiles disappear. All the talking screeches to a halt.

“I did what you wanted. Now keep your promise.”

There. A flash of disappointment. He hides it quickly and the smirk returns, perfectly in place. “Guys,” Zane says, eyes still a heavy weight on me, “can I have a moment with my wife?”

I bristle.

The boys move past us.

“Congratulations,” Viola whispers, squeezing my arm.

Cadence smiles at me.

Dutch offers a welcoming nod.

Sol looks curiously between me and Zane. Finn gives his best friend a shove when he walks slower than the rest, obviously trying to eavesdrop on us.

When we’re alone, Zane pulls at his tie. “Are you hungry?”

“No.”

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