Page 65 of Forever His Favorite
The sound of a file slamming on marble echoed across the house. Both Emily and Harold froze for a second before turning toward the kitchen.
Sebastian was striding toward them, his expression dark, his jaw set. As he reached close, in one swift move, he wrapped his arm tightly around Emily’s waist, pulling her against himself.
His voice snapped. “Have you even washed your eyes after waking up? Why would my wife try on her wedding dress and show you first? What if you put an evil eye on her?”
Harold’s mouth dropped open. “What?!” he sputtered, offended. “Are you really accusing me of putting an evil eye on Miss Emily? I always tell her she looks beautiful in everything she wears! How can I possibly bring bad luck to her?”
Sebastian only pulled Emily tighter to his side, his expression deadly serious, as though Harold’s very gaze was a weapon. His voice dropped lower, sharp with warning. “You’re still not allowed to see her in this dress. The first person who gets to see her isme. Her husband.”
“Wrong!” Harold shot back instantly, equally indignant. “You’re the groom. You’re supposed to wait until the wedding. That’s the rule! You’ll bring bad luck if you see her before the ceremony.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think I give a damn?”
With that, he turned to Emily, softening only for her. His grip remained possessive as he tugged her along toward the staircase. “Come, baby.”
Emily stumbled, clutching the dress bag against her chest. “What are you doing? Where are we going?”
He glanced at her, briefly while taking her up the stairs. “I’ll help you change into the dress.”
Her cheeks flushed with heat, but she didn’t argue. Hugging the dress to herself, she let him lead her upstairs.
Behind them, Harold planted his fists on his hips and glared daggers at Sebastian’s retreating back.
“Just you wait!” he shouted after them. “Once I have my wife, I’ll treat you exactly the same way you’re treating me right now!”
***
Lucas strode into the Grand Palace Hall as twilight draped the sky in deep violet. The gilded chandeliers above spilled golden light across the marble floors. His steps were sharp, restless, almost too fast. Taylor hurried at his side, struggling to keep pace with the urgency in his stride.
“Where’s Dillon?” Lucas asked suddenly, his brow furrowing. “I haven’t seen him in two days.”
Taylor’s expression darkened with concern. “No one has. I tried asking around, but it’s like he’s vanished from the country. Even his family doesn’t know where he went. His clothes, his money, everything is still here—but after he walked out of your office two days ago, he never made it home.”
Lucas’s hands fidgeted in his pockets, clenching and unclenching until his knuckles ached. He glanced sideways at Taylor, his voice heavy with nerves. “She’ll forgive me now, right? If I propose tonight… if I give her what she’s always wanted, she’ll forget everything and reconcile?”
Taylor exhaled heavily, halting in his steps. “Lucas, I’ve told you ten times already. Yes! As long as you show her sincerity, she’llforgive you. But listen to me.” His tone dropped, firm, warning. “But you better not hurt her again, Lucas.”
“I won’t,” Lucas swore instantly, his words tumbling out like a lifeline he clung to. His throat tightened, his breath shaky. “Never again.”
With trembling fingers, he slid a hand into his coat pocket and drew out a small velvet box. The click of it snapping open echoed louder than it should have in the vast hall. Inside, the diamond burned brilliantly, catching the light in a thousand shards. Lucas’s eyes softened.
“See this? It’s our family heirloom. She’s wanted it for so long. I finally brought it for her.” His chest rose and fell unevenly. “If she forgives me, if she accepts me tonight, I’ll marry her immediately. I’ll take care of the divorce from Sebastian, the legalities—everything—within the week. I’ll make her mine again, no matter what it takes.”
Taylor gave a short, assuring nod, and then pressed his palm against the towering double doors and pushed them open. The grand space unfolded before them. High ceilings painted with sweeping murals, velvet drapes spilling to the floor, and a stage glittering with soft lights, waiting.
The place gleamed. Grand chandeliers, draped silk, and flowers everywhere. A raised stage dominated the center, and for a moment Lucas took it all in like a man catching his breath.
Taylor blinked and muttered, “This doesn’t even look like a proposal venue… it looks more like a wedding hall.”
Lucas didn’t look disappointed—if anything, his face lit up. “It’s perfect!” he said, eyes bright. “Make sure to send Jeremy a big check. Thank him for arranging this.” He pushed forward, excitement speeding his steps.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. The entire hall went dark, save for a soft glow tracing along the walls. They both looked around in confusion.
Then—suddenly—bright spotlights blazed to life at the entrance, flooding the hall in blinding light. A massive golden board flickered on, letters burning across its surface in bold, gleaming script:
‘Welcome to the Wedding Ceremony of Emily Crawford and Sebastian Graves’
Lucas froze. His smile fell away.
