Hannah ...

I could vaguely hear Roman urging people away from me, but I couldn’t hear anything that was being said through the sound of my sobs. I hated my father for making Freddy and Edward into what they had become.

I didn’t want to hate my brothers, but they had chosen my father’s obvious instability over standing up for me.

The only shred of my family that I had left was my sister, and if I didn’t protect her, our father would take her too.

A few people tried to console me, but I pushed them away. "Please just leave me," I said, not remembering who had even been trying to console me.

There was no way that I could walk into that wedding ceremony holding so much hurt inside of myself. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. I never wanted any of this for myself, but my father forced it all on me, showing that he never really loved me.

He didn’t love Lori either, and I suspected he only cared for Freddy and Edward because he could use them so easily.

My sobs turned into silent tears between heavy chest heaves. I thought I was alone, but I glanced up to see Geoffrey quietly seated at the other end of the bench. He held out a box of tissues to me and I took several of them, wiping the tears and makeup from my hands and face.

"Thank you, Geoffrey," I said in a pathetic voice that I barely recognized as my own. "I didn’t know you were there."

"It’s quite alright," Geoffrey said in a gentle voice.

"Take all the time that you need. I know this is stressful for you, but I’m a good listener," he said, tapping his right ear.

I took a deep shaky breath. "I didn’t think I would ever say this," I said, feeling at ease with Geoffrey, "but I’m beginning to hate my brothers. They’re becoming monsters just like my father."

"A rift in the family can be hard," Geoffrey said, "but remember, you have your sister here with you, and your future husband and his friends and family are out there ready to officially bring you into their family as well."

I sniffed and took a few deep breaths, meeting Geoffrey’s warm gaze.

"You’re right. I’m not here for my father and my brothers. I’m here for Roman."

"He’s waiting just on the other side of those doors," Geoffrey said, pointing to the foyer doors that had been closed to give me privacy. "He’s very distraught. He’s worried about you."

I rubbed a corner of tissue between my fingers. "I didn’t mean to upset anyone, especially not Roman. This isn’t fair to him," I said to Geoffrey.

"Nor is it fair to you," Geoffrey said, "but together you two can support one another through this." I sniffed again and nodded. "Are you ready?" Geoffrey asked me, extending his hand and I took it.

"I’m as ready as I can be," I said and stood with Geoffrey. He walked us to the door and opened it just enough for Roman to slip through.

Roman’s blue eyes were bright and nearly frantic with worry when he met my gaze.

"God, Hannah," Roman said, cupping my face in his hands. "I’m so sorry that happened. I’m so sorry, Hannah."

"It’s OK, Roman," I said, feeling fresh tears stinging my eyes. "Stop apologizing before you make me cry again."

Roman pulled my forehead to his lips and pressed a firm kiss there. "We’ll walk down the aisle together," he said.

"Sir," Geoffrey interjected and Roman turned to face him. "I may not be Ms. Macalester’s father, but I would be honored to give her away to you."

I covered my mouth with my hand to try and hold back the flood of emotions I felt for Geoffrey to offer such a thing.

Roman met my gaze. "Is that OK with you, Hannah?"

I lowered my hand and smiled at Geoffrey in relief. "Yes, thank you, Geoffrey," I said to him.

Roman thanked Geoffrey and gave him a grateful pat on the shoulder before turning to me. He placed his head next to mine and whispered in my ear.

"You are breathtaking, Hannah," he said. "I am so proud to call you my wife, even if you’re just my wife for this short time." Roman pulled away, leaving me with his words. He gave the word for the doors to benopened again before he hurried to reclaim his position at the front of the wedding gathering.

Geoffrey and I stood off to the side of the doorway, just out of sight of the wedding gathering. "Ready?" Geoffrey asked me, extending his elbow for me to accept.

I smiled at Geffrey and wrapped my arm around his. "Ready as I’ll ever be," I said. He moved to guide us to the entrance but I stopped and glanced up at him. "Why are you doing this for me, Geoffrey?" I asked him. "You don’t owe me anything. You barely know me."

Geoffrey offered me a small smile. "I know a lot more than I’ve been letting on," he admitted to me. "Your sudden appearance, the secrecy between the two of you, and the conflict between you, your father, and your brothers." I stiffened as I listened to Geoffrey, but he reached over to pat my hand gently. "You don’t deserve that type of treatment. No one deserves that," he continued. "I just want to help where I can and see you smile on your wedding day."

I smiled up at Geoffrey, my heart warmed by his words. "Thank you," I said to him again, and as we moved to stand in the doorway, the organist began playing the bridal march and everyone in attendance stood to watch me.

I gazed up at Geoffrey, who looked very proud to be giving me away, and I stood on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He led me slowly up the aisle and I smiled at everyone that I passed as they congratulated me quietly, complimenting my dress and how beautiful I was at that moment.

Geoffrey led me toward Roman and left me with his own words of congratulations, seating himself where my family should have been. I handed my bouquet to Lori, who was radiant in her blush pink dress. She and Lauren smiled at me before I turned to Roman.

Roman looked relieved as he smiled at me and took my hands. We kept our eyes locked on one another as we listened to the officiant and repeated after him when necessary.

When we reached the portion of the ceremony where Roman was asked if he would take me to have and to hold, for rich or for poor, and in sickness and in health, he said, "I do." I immediately teared up in his confidence and

happiness to take me as his wife.

The woman he had seen on occasion at parties and whom he had purchased at an auction.

Things like this only happened in stories. It was my turn to accept Roman, and I did so gladly, thankful to him for caring enough to save me.

It was time to exchange rings. Nick stepped forward from behind Roman and handed him what I assumed to be a wedding band. Roman accepted the ring from Nick and gently took my left hand.

He slipped a diamond wedding band onto my finger, followed by a dazzling engagement ring. I gaped at the engagement diamond, flanked by garnet stones. Roman leaned in close to my ear. "I’m sorry the engagement ring is late," he whispered as I marveled at the rings on my finger. "I just picked them both up this morning."

"They’re beautiful, Roman," I gasped, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he had rings made for me. "You shouldn’t have done this for me," I said to him. "I would have been fine with something simple."

Roman smiled at me. "I wanted them to be special," he said.

"You deserve something special, Hannah." I looked up to keep the tears from flowing. Roman had gone above and beyond to make me feel safe and happy.

The man might have been a billionaire playboy to the outside world, but to me he was nothing but caring and considerate, and I didn’t understand why.

"Let the tears go," Roman said. "As long as they’re tears of joy, it’s OK."

I laughed and met his gaze as a few tears of joy ran down my cheeks. "I hope you like your ring," I said to him, turning to indicate that Lauren could bring his ring to me. I had left Lauren in charge of finding a ring for Roman since she was his cousin and knew him well.

She chose a heavy platinum ring with a simple matte inlay, which she placed in my hand. I turned back to Roman. "If you don’t like it, we’ll blame Lauren. She picked it out."

Roman laughed, holding his left hand out to me so that I could slip the ring onto his finger. "It’s perfect, Hannah," he said with a smile. We took each other’s hands again and I could feel the weight and presence of the two rings on my finger.

They felt so foreign, and they reminded me of the reason for this wedding. But I realized that I was content, even if it was just for this short time.