e could barely contain her excitement. She was eager t

d only resent Cathryn more, and her standi

Cathryn answered with an icy smile.

iant said loudly, "Please join

n walked into the

w, the crowd erupted into hush

sed to be the groom. Who's

isn't that V

cent's the one

ere's

lroom, trying to spot Derek, but he was nowhere to be found. The

stage lights, they looke

here to celebrate my marriage to Vincent. I've noticed quite a few people mentioning Derek. Just to avoid any misunderstanding,

n anyone that every guest

well known, and nobody was w

he unexpected change in groom, Cathryn's

rop behind the

aits filled the mas

ared speak openly. They simply stole cautious glances toward Ric

the front, looked no less stunn

ense. "Wasn't Cathryn supposed to marry Derek? Then why is

eamed of marrying. In her mind, she was destined to

e one standing beside

happening? Had everyone s

ldered because they hadn't known a

arby, each wearing the

ony continued exactly as planned. Cathryn had already gone ov

ng unfolded smoothly f

ery guest had left, Robert and Lau

enses?" Lauren snapped. "You wer

this," Robert said

lso fixed her with d

. "Derek couldn't get back in time, so Mr. Holt stepped in temporarily

, the more convinced she became

to stand in so the ceremony wou

n like him would genuinely c

nt's nephew. The idea that Vincent had actual

solely to keep the Clarke family from becoming a l

ut, Jenna looked at Vincent, waiting

ncent asked, his calm yet authoritative voice instantly shattering the

ed their joined hands for everyone to see,

en Cathryn when they got engaged. She recognized that one. T

nt said in a calm but decisiv

eaction, he turned and walked

it, they crossed paths with Erin and

ter," Cathryn said softly. "

.

over at Vincent before speaking. "I could

was asking to

r their marriage the following day, theirs was only a marriage in name. More impor

s house seemed like an

ed evenly, never lifting his eyes fr

ments, his commanding presence m

at Holt Manor, Vincent's sprawl

only once before, back when she had come wit

scorted h

fe. Treat her with the same care and respect you give me from now on. I still have some work to ha

women to each other, Vince

d Cathryn to Vin

agined-neat, understated, and f

comfortable and settl

n of Vincent. It wasn't until she went downstairs

greeted him, sound

" Vincent

ment, neither

as he headed upstairs. "Go ahead and eat. I'll

thryn's nervousness. She still found her

Cathryn's phone started r

and explain what happened yest

d get a single word

r a moment before setting t

yway to collect her belongings. After today

n the first place. She wasn't even

ght a familiar a

earning their love. Even though she was their biological daughter and sister, neither h

r attention was r

rgotten. On the rare occasions they gave her anything, it was either because it was

ounce of herself into winning their approval,

ad been through, she had fi

inging to people who had never

r she died, they hadn't mourned