Novel Square
CHAPTER 85
CHAPTER 85
Summer Frost POV
It was finally my engagement day, and here I was, getting ready to officially be with the man I had no feelings for. I failed to hold in my tears as I stared at my beautiful reflection in the mirror. I was dressed up like a princess, ready to be given to Hunter officially as his woman.
A knock came on the door after the makeup artist who had come to make me up earlier left, and my heart missed a beat at the thought of the person being my Dad.
“Are you ready?” My nightmare came haunting me when I heard his voice, confirming his identity. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
“The guests are waiting. We shouldn’t spend more time here,”
With a heavy heart, I stood up and dragged myself toward the door while trying to put on a smile.
“Wow! You look gorgeous,” His warm smile welcomed me as I pulled the door open, and I forced a smile.
“Thank you, Daddy,” It sucks to address him that way knowing he never considered me as a daughter, but a pawn.
“Let’s go,” He held out his hand to me, and my hand trembled as I placed it on his palm.
He led me to the parking lot where we hopped inside the car and the ride to the villa began.
It took us about fifteen minutes before we arrived at the villa which was already filled with reputable guests who had come for the engagement.
“Here comes the bride,” Came the MC’s voice who was on the stage, as soon as Dad led me into the big hall, and I scoffed silently.
Hunter’s smile welcomed me as I raised my gaze and saw him standing on the stage. He was wearing one of the suits he bought yesterday. The look on his face confirmed his excitement and anxiousness for this.
“Mommy!” Jack’s voice drew
my attention, and there were my kids, rushing up to me.
“Mommy… Are you really doing this?” Jake looked at me sadly once they stopped in front of me, and heard Dad grunt angrily.
“Excuse me, please,” I gently removed my hand from Dad’s arm and squatted in front of them.
“Don’t mess around, kids…” I paused and stroked their hair gently.
“Don’t I look good?” Hiding the pain in my voice was difficult, but I managed to do it.
“Mommy… If uncle Xander comes here, will you marry him?” Jake asked out of the blue moon, and a gasp tore through my throat. Thankfully, Dad had gone to welcome his friends so apparently, he didn’t hear what Jake said.
“Yes, I will. I will marry him and start a new life with my whole family,” I whispered to myself as a drop of tears slid down my cheek.
“Don’t play around, kids. Let’s get this done with,” I stood up, ignoring Jake’s question.
“We will stand by here and wait for him,” Jack’s words left me confused, but before I could ask him what he meant by that, the MC called me on to the stage, and Dad came to lead me there.
“You look stunning,” Hunter smiled as he held my hand and helped me onto the stage.
“We will begin the engagement now,” The MC officially announced, and I swallowed nothing.
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Dad was invited on the stage to give a short speech, and after he left, Mrs. Moore came on stage also. She didn’t fail to show everyone that she was not happy about this whole shit, but Dad could only care less about that. He didn’t care about what kind of life awaited me in that household. The only thing that mattered to him was to get me married to Hunter at all costs.
Hunter took the microphone then went on one knee while holding an engagement ring and a bright smile displayed on his lips.
“Summer… The few years I’ve known you have been the most beautiful years of my life. You bring happiness in my life, you make me smile and laugh genuinely. You taught me what being in love mean, and I appreciate everything…” He paused and grinned from ear to ear.
“I made a whole epistle just for you on this day, but tonight, your beauty and charm have me overwhelmed, and I failed to remember anything but your beautiful smile. I want nothing more than to wake up every morning to see this beautiful smile on your face as you sleep next to me. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”
“Say yes… Say yes,” Came the chants from the audience. This would be one of the happiest days in most women’s life, but all I felt was bitterness. The diamond ring that was waiting to be slid into my finger, looked like nothing but a shackle to tie me down for the rest of my
life.
“Are we really doing this, Hunter?” My voice came out in a whisper tears poured down my cheeks. I was hoping he’d have mercy on me, but he was determined to ruin my happiness.
“Will you?” He gazed into my eyes without any remorse as he waited desperately for my reply, and I slowly balled my fingers into a tight fist.
My hands trembled as I took the microphone the MC had just handed to me, and my heart thumped heavily as I took it close to my mouth, ready to give him my answer.
“I… I…” My voice quivered as I opened my mouth to answer him.
“LF”
“Are you going to get married to another man when our marriage has not been annulled?” I snapped my head in the direction when I heard a familiar voice that sent deafening silence to the atmosphere, and there he was, standing with his hands tucked inside his pockets. It was Xander. He came! He really came as he had promised. But wait! What marriage has not been annulled?
“Uncle… You came!” Jake’s excited voice drew my attention as I watched my boys run into his arms.
He squatted down to their level and ruffled their hair as he said something to them, but I had no idea what it was. However, the smile on the kid’s face was evident that they were happy about whatever it is he had told them.
‘What is going on here?‘
‘Who is that man?‘
‘Isn’t that Xander Hughes? What’s going on?‘
“What do you think you are doing?” Dad’s raging/voice resonated through the hall.
“I came to stop my wife from getting married to another man. Is there anything wrong with that?” Xander faced Dad confidently. “Summer…” Dad looked at me as he yelled my name, giving me the ‘what is going on‘ look, but sadly, I was as confused as he was.
The door opened, revealing a young lady dressed in a white short gown and a pair of black heels. Her hair was left cascading down her shoulders, and as she walked elegantly closer, it was then I recognised her. It was Lisa.
“I’m Mr. Hughes’s legal representative,..” She announced as she stopped beside Xander, and as our eyes met, she gave me a small brief smile before she turned her attention away from me.
“Ms. Summer Frost and my client here were married…” She paused, then brought out a familiar paper.
“If you want a proof, I think this should be enough,” She showed everyone, and my jaw dropped when I realised that it was our marriage
certificate.
“Ms. Summer and my client got separated as a result of marital issues, but they not got divorced. Hence, Ms. Summer cannot get married to another man without divorcing my client,” Lisa explained confidently, and it was then the realisation hit me hard. Xander and I never got a divorce. He never offered me a divorce agreement that night.
I could not fight back the smile that formed on my lips.
Turning my attention back to Hunter who was already on his feet, I found him glaring hard at Xander with his fist balled.
“Are you just going to stand there and do nothing? Say something!” Dad looked at me as his raging voice resonated in the hall again, and I bit my lip.
“Yes… Everyone, I was married to Mr. Xander Hughes before we separated, but never signed any divorce agreement to cancel our marriage. So, technically, I’m still married to him,” I announced right in front of everyone. Since Xander had already pulled the string, it’s only right that I do this, right?