In Your Clutches

Part 16: But I Had To

ASHER

What a mess.

Amelia had a panic attack on the way to the hospital, and would likely never be the same. The doctor, who assumed Amelia witnessed a ghastly hit-and-run, suggested a therapist.

Sending her to someone who'd expect her to spill every detail of the triple murder was a bad idea. Therapists were mandated reporters.

Amelia would suffer, and it was my fault. I had sent her to Declan's.

"Eat something, for Christ's sake." Zio turned the sausages while he ignored a rueful glare from his wife, with whom he was on the outs again. "Are you sick?"

"Haven't been hungry." I picked up a charred sausage and bit off the end, but the savory taste made my stomach clench. The flavour was fine, but eating it felt like ingesting cement.

 He gave me a knowing look. "How is she?"

"Better, I think. It's been rough."

My fiancée seemed okay. She'd cocooned herself in blankets and soaked in mindless TV. Watching her struggle to stay awake because she was afraid of dreaming pitted my stomach with sadness, because whenever she slept she endured whatever the fuck those bastards did before I showed up. All because of me.

She sat in a chair next to a woman I didn't who know talked her ear off. She passed awkward smiles around, obviously clueless about what to do.

Today was the day of Marco and Xena's wedding. As The Man of Honour, I got to his mansion early to help.

He looked extremely cheery to see me. It didn't feel as genuine, but there were no traces of any sadness or tension of work on his face. It was a good sign because I myself didn't want him to take him any pressure. I wanted him to feel the happiness of his wedding.

When we arrived at the destination, Marco met us outside. He was really excited, running from one guest to another asking if they were fine, but we all knew that he cared and waited only for his beautiful bride, whom he hadn't seen since the previous day.

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It was a Spring wedding in the late afternoon. A destination wedding. The Church faced the breathtaking sunset. At the end of each seated aisle, jasmine scented candles hung from naked tree branches.

Spread down the aisle was white leaves, as far as the eyes could see, slightly moist so they wouldn't crack when you stepped on them. We'd have a small group of close family and friends dressed in beach attire for comfort. On either side of the aisle, they sat in white chairs set up for them on the sand.

With every minute more and more guests arrived and it seemed like a huge party. With jokes, smiles, music, balloons and wedding presenter, who was really funny and became the most popular guy in the wedding really quickly.

I made acquaintances with almost all guests thanks to Marco and it seemed like we were one big happy family. At one time he invited us to take a seats on the chairs in the center of the park and the brightest part of ceremony had begun.

I lifted my head to give her a brief look, but on seeing her, an unexpected gasp escaped my mouth. I didn't realise that I was gaping at her, with my mouth slightly parted and my gaze frozen on her.

She looked radiating in the rose gold floral dress, her presence illuminating her surroundings. Her dress hugged her slender figure till her waist and ended at her knees. The straight neckline gave a nice view of her structured collar bones. She wore dainty gold plated earrings and a matching choker necklace, emphasizing more on her neck.