Tainted Soul • Lightwood. [ON HOLD]

T W E N T Y - N I N E

Isabelle Lightwood was walking around the Institute looking for a certain redhead boy. She has noticed he's been distant this morning, not being at the meeting with Magnus and the mission. She also knew it was because the wedding was happening tomorrow.

When Isabelle didn't find Justin in his room, she went to the infarmary. She was almost sure Justin was there visiting his mom. As the Lightwood girl was about the enter the room, Justin's voice made her stop in her tracks.

"I don't know if you can hear me but I need someone to vent to. I would do it to actual people that can give me advice but they're all so busy. Clary, Magnus and Jace are on a mission to wake you up. You know I don't like Simon and Luke is at work. Alec and I aren't really talking and Isabelle... she'd the only one that understands me but she's planning Alec's wedding. Oh yeah, he's getting married to Lydia Branwell, who's our cousin or something."

Isabelle instantly felt bad. She didn't want to neglect Justin in the slightest but she knew the redhead wasn't comfortable when wedding talk was being thrown around.

"Isabelle really cares about me, and I care about her. I don't want to sound rude, but she's been that sister that I always wanted. Not that Clary isn't but Izzy really gets me. I'm glad I met her."

His words made Isabelle smile. She was glad Justin trusted her, that's all she ever wanted.

"Mom, I met Valentine last night, and I had this strange sensation inside of me."

When Justin started talking about his father, Isabelle knew it was her time to go. So she did.

Justin was sitting in front of his mother, his eyes not leaving her body. "I know you had your weird ways of showing you care about me, and I truly want to believe you do. But- But with Valentine, I really felt something. And I can't explain what it was. He was acting with such care towards me, almost like he missed me."

The boy ran a hand through his head, messing his hair and sighing. "The Memory Demon took a memory of the person I loved the most, and I thought you and Clary would be the ones to come out. But it was him. Mom, I loved him when I was younger and I don't think that love left just because you erased my memories about him. I want to believe him, I want to believe he cares about me."

He stood up, caresing Jocelyn's cheek. "I wished you were here so you could knock some sense into me."

➰

Justin felt weird getting ready the next evening. The suit Isabelle picked for him feeling heavy on his body. He took a shower and quickly dressed up. He arrived at the venue and sat besides Clary, leaving a space for Simon. Clary sent Justin a sad look, one he decided to ignore. It was not the time for him to feel bad about himself.

Brother Jeremiah slammed his stick on the floor, catching the guests attention. "Attention. The ceremony is about to commence."

Isabelle then entered in a beautiful gold dress, holding the stele on a golden pillow. She walked up the altar, opposite of Jace and Alec. Lydia then appeared on the back of the room, a smile on her face, one that could lit up all the room. Her dress was beautiful and intricate and she was holding red roses. The Branwell walked all the way to the altar, Alec helping her up the stairs. Justin could feel himself losing his mood as Lydia placed the bracelet on Alec's wrist.