The Promotion

Chapter Thirty-Four

The day of the wedding arrived with a heaviness I couldn't shake.

From the moment I opened my eyes, something felt wrong — not chaotic, not rushed — just deeply unsettled, like the world itself was holding its breath. Louisa's words from the night before looped relentlessly in my mind.

I'm in love with Alexander.

She'd finally said it out loud. And then, just as quickly, she'd buried it.

Louisa had always been like that — fiercely loyal, painfully self-sacrificing. She would rather break herself quietly than disappoint the people she loved. But this time, the cost felt too high.

Calum had changed, I'd give him that. He was trying. He was present. But he wasn't the man Louisa fell in love with eight years ago. That version of Calum had disappeared somewhere between broken promises and careless mistakes. Louisa didn't stop loving him overnight — she faded out of love, slowly, painfully.

And Alexander?

Alexander had seen her. Really seen her.

The way he looked at her wasn't casual. It wasn't curiosity or attraction. It was recognition. And I was certain — terrifyingly certain — that he felt it just as deeply as she did.

I checked my phone, pacing the bedroom, when it buzzed in my hand.

Louisa.

"Hey," I answered quickly. "You okay? Are you at the venue?"

"I'm heading there soon," she said softly. Her voice sounded distant, almost hollow. "Do you want to go together?"

My chest tightened. I hated lying to her — especially today — but this had to be done.

"I've got a couple of things to sort out first," I replied carefully. "I'll meet you there, yeah?"

There was a pause on the line. Then a quiet sigh.

"Okay," she murmured. "See you there."

The call ended, leaving a knot of guilt behind.

I dressed quickly — black jeans, cream T-shirt, hair scraped into a messy ponytail — grabbing my dress as I headed for the door. I kissed my mum goodbye, promising I'd see her at the venue, then sat in my car for a moment longer than necessary.

Then I dialled Alexander.

When he answered, I didn't give him a chance to speak.

"Don't ask questions," I said firmly. "Just tell me where you are."

A beat. Then: "The office."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I hung up before he could respond.

The drive felt endless. My fingers tapped against the steering wheel, my stomach churning with nerves and urgency. By the time I parked, I felt like I might throw up.

I stormed into the building,

At the security desk, I barely slowed down.

"I need access to the top floor," I said sharply.

The security guard frowned at his screen. "Name?"

"Sarah."

"Surname?"

I sighed. "Does it matter? I'm expected."

He raised a brow, unfazed. "I'll need authorisation."

"Authorisation?" I repeated incredulously. "I've already been buzzed to the top floor."