Page 35 of His Captive

In front of her parents.

In front of God.

Today she’s promising herself forever.

She’ll show…

“Ethan Shaw, you can’t be out here.” I recognize the voice as soon as it calls out from the chapel steps.

Yvonne Montgomery - Millie’s Mother. A beautiful, slightly mature version of my girl. She has those same eyes that captivate anyone who makes contact with them. Naturally bronzed skin. And hair the color of nectar.

I move my focus away from the empty street, and up toward Yvonne and her wildly flapping arms.

“Will you get in here?” She waves her hand toward the open Chapel doors.

“The bridal party will be arriving any moment.”

I roll my eyes and shrug my shoulders, before making my way toward her.

She’s right. I’m being ridiculous, there’s no reason to doubt Millie’s arrival.

Yvonne blocks me from passing her on the steps. Her hand reaching up and rubbing softly against my stubble- No doubt cursing me in her head for not bothering to shave on such an important day.

“You ready for this?” she asks, her tone softer than I’ve ever heard it.

I don’t respond straight away... My throats too dry, and my mouths empty of words. All my energy focuses on the nerves that were slowly disintegrating my insides.

I manage to pull myself back to her, my head agreeing while my eyes side glanced the street again. Yvonne tugs at me, forcing my head down and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“I know how much you love her,” she whispers tightly, her words like acid on her tongue.

It takes me by surprise.

Yvonne isn’t a woman known to express many emotions.

Which is why I’m even more shocked when I witness the tear roll from the corner of her eye.

“She’s gonna be okay,” I assure her, trying my best to sound convincing. Yvonne stays silent, nodding her head as she drags her eyes away from mine. Then pulling a tissue from the clutch that matches perfectly with her dress, she dabs her eyes dry.

I leave her there, at the door. Walking up the aisle and feeling every single eye of the townsfolk judging me as I step to the front.

They don’t think I deserve to be here. They’re all right, I don’t belong here, not amongst these people.

The Montgomery’s are one of the richest, most successful families in town. They have everything, and I have nothing. Not a damn thing to offer Millie, except for a heart that beats solely for her.

I take my seat on the end of the aisle, ignoring the eyes that drill through the back of my skull while I check my watch.

Two minutes until three…

And as a long sigh leaves my body, I do something that I never thought I would …

Clasping my sticky palms together, and entwining my fingers I look up to the beams that hold up the chapel roof.

Silently, I beg to a man I’ve never believed in, ask him to just give me this one thing, and promised that I will never ask for anything else as long as I live.

I plead mercilessly in my head for her to have found something in the nothing I have to offer her.

And I hang on so tightly to the hope, that after years of loving her, Millie Montgomery can finally be mine to keep.

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