Page 111 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Anthony
Two more weeks. Then the wedding. And Ivy and I will be husband and wife.
Wife.I really like the sound of that.
I should be focusing on the document in front of me, but it’s damn hard. Suji is texting me every other minute to let me know what they’re doing.
Her dress looks amazing. I can’t believe you aren’t here to see it!
I swear, Americans are strange! Why would the groom not want to see the dress before the ceremony?
You should get to enjoy it for more than just one day!
Every one of her texts so far is in that vein. It sounds like my not seeing the dress is her greatest regret in life.
When my phone rings, I pick it up, grinning hugely. Maybe I should tell her that I’ll ask Ivy to wear the dress on our honeymoon so it won’t be such a waste. That should mollify Suji.
“Really, I’m sure it looks amazing, but—”
“Tony, it’s me.”
My mood plummets. It’s Edgar. His voice is too guarded. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. It’s…” He sighs. “It’s Dad. He wants to invite you and Ivy to Tempérane, and he’d like you to visit as soon as possible. Like, within a week, if you can swing it.”
“I’m planning a wedding here.” Louisiana is Mother’s home turf. I’m not putting myself and Ivy at her mercy.
“Yeah, well. I think he was a bit hurt he wasn’t invited.”
A sarcastic response surges, but I swallow it down. Edgar might be a convenient target, but it isn’t fair to take it out on him. “He disowned me.”
“He regrets it, Tony.”
Harry said something similar. Again, I feel the familiar tug of old, desperate hope. But the bitter part of me can’t forget that Father didn’t regret it enough to overcome Mother’s objections.
“Look, it’s an olive branch. Just…see what comes of it.”
Edgar’s right, but I’m too upset to follow his advice. “If he meant it, he would’ve contacted me himself. He knows my number.”
“Pride, Tony. Besides, Mom told him it was fine. You can get married at the Blackwood mansion if you want.”
Incredulous anger swirls at that. “Too late. I’m not inconveniencing everyone by moving the venue to Tempérane at this point.” If Father wanted us to be married there, he could’ve offered it when he heard about our engagement. What he’s doing is giving someone the flu vaccine after they’re already down with the disease.
“Tony, listen. It’ll look better if Mom and Dad attend your wedding.”
I bite back an oath. I didn’t think about that—Ivy’s position. She hasn’t indicated it’d bother her, but I know appearances matter, and gossip can be vicious.
Besides, no matter how much I want to deny it, there is a microscopic piece of me that wants the old hurt and pain I’ve caused my family to heal somehow. I know we’ll never be the same and Tempérane will never again be my home. But at least the others—Father, Mother, Edgar and Harry—can be happier.
“Let me think about it and get back to you,” I say.
“Yeah. Definitely. Talk to Ivy, see what she says.”
“Yes.” My phone beeps, and I jump on it, dying to cut this conversation short. “Look, I’ve got to go. There’s another call.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon.” Edgar hangs up.
