Brandon Stevens' Pauper Princess | Book I |

Chapter 43

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Hannah's POV

Another month passed, still no sign of Brandon. I never asked anyone in the family about him and no one spoke of him either when I was around. They all knew what happened and their mouths were shut. They're too considerate not to scold me for being such an idiot.

Tomorrow, it's my wedding day. James insisted to shorten all the preparation. He had everything done, from the venue, my wedding dress, his own suit, and the family's. Everything's settled and my father was very upset that I was going along with James' wants. He even prodded me to ran away from James but it would be called cowardice. Besides I told him that maybe James could make me happy, I would give him a chance and push myself to like him back. Father had snorted in disagreement with my decision.

"So you're marrying first before us?" Jeremy intoned beside Gina. We're having a family dinner tonight and everyone's present except for Brandon.

"Yes." I replied and eat quietly. I could feel everyone's eyes were on me. "Guys, do tell me anything you want, don't look at me like a stranger." I breathed lifting my gaze to wander around the table.

From Becca and dad, Jeremy and Gina. They all looked away and I smiled bitterly.

"You're making a mistake Hannah." Jeremy intoned bravely. Nobody else wanted to shake me from my utter folly and so he tried.

"How do you know it's a mistake?"

"First you don't love the man, second you love my cousin, third you're unhappy, fourth we're unhappy to see you getting yourself messed up with a wedding that you don't even like in the first place. Fifth, you're pretending to be okay." He finished and each word came to slice at my heart.

Gina put a hand over Jeremy's arm, stopping him. The dinner table silenced in awkwardness and suddenly the palatable food appeared tasteless and no one dared to take another spoonful of their fill. Well, not me. I tried to swallow the food even when my stomach turned over. I hadn't been eating right these days.

I didn't answer him and Jeremy pressed again. "Will you stop this nonsense Hannah?!" He yelled at the top of his voice.

"Jeremy!" The other three warned simultaneously. "Let Hannah make her own decision." My father glanced my way from the head of the table. Rebecca who's beside me reached a hand to rest on my lap under the table. They're all worried about me.

They're all waiting for my answer.

"I want to marry James." I croaked out and Jeremy walked out.

But then I heard his shocked voice when he halted in his tracks. When I looked up, he was facing Brandon, beside him was Jenny.

Not now. I blinked back the tears and my fingers began to tremble. Worried glances were hurled at my direction. Brandon looked haggard, his stubble hadn't been shaved for weeks to reveal a coarse and taut face and his cold eyes stared at me.

It was Rebecca who spoke first, inviting the newcomers to the table. As much as I wanted to avoid him, he intentionally sat across me and I had to still my body from shaking violently. Fortunately, Jeremy walked back to the table and sat beside his fiancee.

"How are you Hannah?" Jenny asked in a friendly tone as we resumed to eat our dinner.

"Fine." I answered.

"What time is your wedding tomorrow?" She asked. Brandon was drinking from his wine glass, probably lost his appetite. Jenny on the other hand consumed her plate and was trying to converse to me in a cordial manner.