his jacket, her fingers brushing against his skin. He smelled strongly of alcohol. He never drank this much. It was bad for his health,

As he swayed, his head lolled t

yde

d, but it hit Kacie with th

"Cedric? Are you alright? I'll get you some w

ed him onto the bed and then escaped into the bathroom, leaning a

from behind. Cedric pressed his face into

ing hers. The kiss was clumsy, tast

, felt like another lie. But a desperate,

to marry me, Cedric?" The question w

in his hands, his thumbs wiping away tears she hadn't realiz

I do. I want to give you the grandest wedding. I want us

linging to him. She was a vine, and he was the tree she had wrapp

believe him. She

emembered the cool, electronic voice that had sounded in her head the moment he ran out of the wedding reception yesterday

s they sat at breakfast. "I think it would be bes

even hesit

y n

does a good job. There'

the company whispers about you two. Your parents treat her

n of his impatience. "Don'

into the bathroom, shutting the door behin

t was a pressure that had nothing to do with he

er glowed with a soft, beautiful light. He had turned on the projector he'd in

ut yesterday," he whispered. "The wedding was a mess. I promise, I'll make

la reflected there, and her resolve softened. She w

she wh

lips were about to touch hers, his phone r

acie heard Jayden's voice on t

st booked a fli

voice sharp with alarm. "

me," Jayden cried. "They' re saying horrible things, calling

assessing. The warmth from a moment a

yes. "You thi

one, his voice gentle again. "Don't cry, J

face a mask of disappointment. "Wh

r harder than she exp

who wa

ow, but it

s eyes. He stood up and pulled her out of bed

at

Jayden. And we're going to liv

her arm away. "I have no

ip tight. "You're going to do th

The whole way to the hospital, she sat in sile

s hospital room. Jayden herself was sitting up in bed, wearin

ars. "Cedric," she whispered, then her gaze shifte

oice sharp. He moved to stand between them,

oman from his own wife. The bitterness was so strong Kacie could taste i