CLAIMED BY THE DANGEROUS BROTHER

Darcy

What did brides do when they got cold feet on the morning of their wedding?

I forcefully kept my nails away from my teeth as I waited to see the result for my search get displayed on my phone screen. “Darcy, it’s time,” A voice said directly behind me, startling the shit out of me. I managed to grip my phone tightly before it fell, turning to look at my makeup artist.

She ran her gaze over me and if she could tell I was anxious, she didn’t show it. “Everyone’s waiting for you to walk down the aisle, let’s go.” There was no room for my response as she took my phone from me before grabbing my hand and leading me out of the room.

The look on my father’s face brought tears to my eye and made me realize that this was very much happening. I was getting married to Paul Castellano, the love of my life and the man I’ve been with for five years now.

I still remembered the day he proposed like it was only yesterday when it had in fact been three years ago.

“You look beautiful my dear,” My father complimented, gazing at me in awe before laying a featherlight kiss on my head and entwining my hand with his. I smiled at him, pretending my eyes weren’t as blurry as his from the unshed tears.

The sounds began and I ignored the look of guests as my father walked me down the aisle. My eyes were solely on the blonde-haired man in an Amarni suit who I was going to wake up to everyday for the rest of my life. We got to the altar and my father gently passed me to my soon-to-be husband.

“Dearly beloved…”

The priest’s voice faded into the background as I stared into the pools of blue I didn’t think I would ever get tired of seeing. There was a dimness in Paul’s eyes but I told myself I was imagining it. It was the cold feet talking. I had never really gotten around to seeing what I was supposed to do to stop them.

“Do you, Darcy Mendez, take Paul Castellano to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness–“

“I do.” I quickly cut in.

The guests laughed at my impatience; they thought it was cute. I searched Paul’s eyes, unable to shake off the warning bells any longer. Why didn’t he laugh? Didn’t he think it was cute how much I couldn’t wait to be married to him?

I rubbed my thumb soothingly over his knuckles as our gazes held, wordlessly trying to communicate that whatever happened, he would always have me.

“Do you, Paul Castellano, take Darcy Mendez to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness–“

“I don’t.”

Time stilled. An awkward laugh escaped me, sure I hadn’t heard him correctly. Or at the very least, he’d made a mistake. I moved my head, silently asking what he was doing. The guests were frozen in shock and I signaled the priest to repeat the question, all the while gripping Paul’s hands tighter.

Why were his eyes so empty?

The priest cleared his throat. “Do you, Paul Castellano–“

“I don’t.” His voice was firmer this time.

Everyone gasped. His hands fell from mine. I shook my head in confusion, hating the tears already pooling in my eyes. “What’s going on?” I whispered. What kind of stunt was he pulling? Whatever it was, it wasn’t funny. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my parents rise to their feet in worry.

I stared at the only man I’d ever loved, watching the look in his eyes go from empty to malicious. He shook his head and as if it was some kind of unspoken cue, everyone immediately began recording. “Who were you with last night?” He asked accusatorily.

My confusion grew deeper. “What?” I spluttered.

He scoffed. “Your innocent act won’t fool me, Darcy,” His words were colder than I’d ever heard. “I should have known you’ve been seeing someone else on the side, but it doesn’t matter,”  There was a wicked glint in his eyes. “Not when the woman I truly love is back where she belongs.”

There was another gasp as a woman who looked very family sauntered up to where we stood. My mouth fell open when Paul curved his hand around her waist and brought her flush against him, tilting his head and claiming her lips with his. All the emotions hit me at once.

Shock. Surprise. Confusion. But mostly..

Shame.

My father’s voice bounced against the walls of the hall. “What on earth is going on here?” He demanded. I brought my hands to my mouth, a single tear rolling down my cheek because I in fact also want to know. My mother was by my side almost immediately, her quiet sobs cutting deep into my chest.

The guests were all occupied with getting the best angles of my life falling apart right in front of them. Paul pulled back from the woman in the tight dress, who I immediately recognized as his ex, Elana. I took a step back as I met his angry gaze.

He was no longer supposed to be in touch with her.

A million questions swam through my head. How? Why? For how long?

I’d given five years of my life to this man. And all for what? My mom gripped my arm to steady me but I pulled away from her. I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t stand back and watch Paul’s victorious smirk as he stared at me. Like the cliche runaway bride, I picked up my wedding dress and ran out.

“Darcy!” My mom yelled, trying to stop me.

I didn’t pause, didn’t listen. Tears ruining my makeup, I took my heels before I would be completely paralyzed by humiliation. How could Paul have done this? I roamed the streets for hours, letting the hot tears flow freely from my eyes. I wasn’t with my cellphone so no one could call me, as it might just have been as well.

I needed some time to make sense of what happened.

It was completely dark when I stumbled back to my apartment…

And met the second biggest shock of my entire life.