Page 166 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
“That goes against literally everything you just said.”
“You need to choose yourself before you can choose anyone else. What makesyouhappy? What doyouwant? What doyousee in your future?”
I stared at her.
“You asked me all those questions the day I asked you to plan my wedding, you know. I bet you ask them to every single bride who contacts you.”
“I… Yes, of course, I do. They’re perfectly reasonable questions.”
“They are. They make perfect sense.” Her eyes twinkled. “But, Syl… Have you ever asked yourself?”
A lump formed in my throat, and I looked down. There wasn’t just a lump, but a twist in my stomach. A tight knot that clenched more intensely with every breath I took, with every realisation that I hadn’t.
“I think,” Hazel continued softly. “That choosing to stay here at Castleton Manor after our fight was the first time you’d chosen something you wanted in a long time. You choosing to stay with Thomas was you choosing your own selfish needs and wants above everything else. And you’re so happy. There’s just… I don’t know. A magic about you now. Like you’ve got your sparkle back. It’s not because of him, it’s because of you. Because you finally chose you. And I think, instead of spending the next week lamenting over what could be, ask yourself what you want. Ask yourself what’ll make you happy, and you’ll get your answer.”
“Do you really think it’s that simple?”
“Yes.” She took my hand and lightly squeezed my fingers. “I really do.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE – SYLVIE
“And on that note, all I can say is, she’s your problem now, Julian.” I raised my glass in the direction of my brother-in-law and winked.
Hazel pouted playfully.
Julian grinned, lifting his glass back in response.
Nana chuckled.
The only person who seemed unamused with my speech was my mother, who was currently looking at me with mild disapproval, but that was hardly new.
Julian’s brother got to his feet, covering a laugh with a cough, and said, “Wow. I spent hours writing this thing, but how the heck am I supposed to follow that up?”
The guests all laughed.
He looked over at me. “I think you have an unfair advantage having been to hundreds of these things. Couldn’t you give me some tips beforehand?”
Laughing, I shook my head and motioned for him to get on with it. “Don’t ruin my schedule!”
Hazel nodded frantically. “You’re thirty seconds behind, quick! Start talking!”
I swatted at her as she fell into a fit of little giggles, collapsing against my arm. Julian’s brother gave the piece of paper with his speech on a good shake, cleared his throat, and got on with it.
I had no idea how we’d even reached this point. The entire day felt like a fever dream. Was it real? Had I really watched my baby sister get married? Had it really gone off without any issues whatsoever? Was I really sitting here at the top table at the reception, knowing that the only thing that could go wrong would be someone having a few too many?
All I knew without a sliver of doubt was that this was my favourite wedding I’d ever planned. Not just because it was my sister’s, but because Castleton Manor truly was the dreamiest venue in the world. Everything had ended up so perfectly that I was sure I was dreaming.
Who could blame me, after all the drama that had befallen us up until this point?
The rest of the speeches went down well with everyone present, and like the rest of the day, dinner was drama-free and easy going. I slipped away when the food was done to quickly meet with the band and DJ for one last run-through of the evening’s plans. That was followed by a quick chinwag with Emily and Heath since tables had to be cleared in the ballroom, and once we’d gone over those plans one final time, I was about to scoot off somewhere else when Emily shoved a glass of something in my hand and told me to sit down.
I did as I was told.
Julian’s dad tapped the top of a microphone and stood up. “Ladies and gents, thank you all for coming this evening. Meals are being cleared away momentarily, then we’d like to ask you all to please vacate your tables for a short period while the wonderful staff here at Castleton Manor reorganise the room for the evening’s festivities. On your entry to the ballroom before dinner, you were all given a small envelope containing two tickets for free alcoholic drinks, and we encourage you to redeem your first one from the bars set up over there.” He motioned to the temporary bars that had been set up. “After your tickets are used, they will be cash bars. Don’t look at me like that, Aunt Hilda—I’ve seen how some of you drink!”
Yes.
I’d been warned about her.
