Mr. Wright Now

Chapter One

 Nelena

"You can still run, kiddo." My dad whispered as I stared ahead at the tall double doors of the classically ancient church, my bridesmaids had just disappeared through.

For a moment, a shameful moment, I actually considered his words. I saw myself running across the neatly trimmed, vibrantly colored, miracle grown, green lawn in my delicately dazzled white heels. I saw my expensive veil trailing behind me in the warm summer air, its crystalized hem catching the sun in its colorful prisms.   

Then I laughed.

"No, dad." I shook my head, still giggling in spite of the quick beating of my heart. "I'm not running away from the forty thousand dollars this wedding has cost – or the man at the altar."

My dad chuckled at the humor in my reply as he squeezed my arm. "You ready then?"

I glanced down at the beautiful crystal beading that coated the vibrant white of my gown, glimmering in the sun – and then I nodded. If it had been up to me, I'd have chosen a beach wedding. I would have worn one of those flowing chiffon gowns that were so beautiful when the salty breeze caught the delicate material. I would have opted to spend the majority of our money on an extended honeymoon – but it hadn't been up to me. My fiancé and soon to be husband, Byron, had ensured I knew how important this day was for him – for his career. "Yeah, I'm ready."

I knew what I was going to see when I opened the doors of the church, but somehow, my breath still caught. The wedding designer Byron had hired was fabulous – truly. She was a work of art and she'd definitely exceeded all my expectations. The pews had been covered in white silk that had been decorated abundantly, and yet still elegantly, by full bouquets of white roses that hung expertly within the vines of deep green. Small candles encased in crystal glass sat on the floor lining the aisle. The lights were dim and romantic – and yet I had never felt so – distressed.

The feeling of ill that had plagued me since waking hovered over me like a predicted raincloud, refusing to part for the sun that sat above its ominous gray.

Shaking the thought from my mind, I allowed my father's strength to propel my body further down the aisle – toward the embodiment that was my feeling of doom. My eyes moved over the guests – just over two hundred and forty nameless people – before landing on Byron.

He was handsome, standing tall. His blond hair and deep brown eyes were stunning. His physique was good, and his grin was catchy – it's what caught me almost four years ago during my first year of university.

Byron had this way about him – he made you feel like you were the most important person in the entirety of the world. I suppose that was why he had done so well in the early stages of his career. Byron was a defense attorney. He'd been in his last year of university when we met, and he was a whole five years older than me at twenty-eight years old. I was only twenty-three – and I was already walking down the aisle.

People thought twenty-three was too young for such a big life decision, and for the most part, I agreed. But Byron had flashed me that convincing grin before arguing every point that made us the perfect couple. He'd also told me this was the next move – that he needed a wife if he was to ever make partner at the firm. So I agreed to marry my boyfriend of four years, because, well, that was the next step – right?

My thoughts disintegrated as I crossed the halfway point toward the altar. I've been walking toward the man I am supposed to spend the rest of my life with – and every head of our two hundred and forty guests have turned to land their eyes on me – but the man I'm about to vow faith and loyalty to for eternity – has not looked at me once.