The Consequence of Falling - THE PREQUEL

Chapter 4

3 years later

It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, so why did I have this gaping hole in my chest as if something was missing? I'd given myself a million excuses for this leading up to this moment – I was afraid of change and marrying Adam meant my life would be flipped upside down. I'd already put my own aspirations into the backburner in order to work on his campaign and deep down I knew this was only the beginning. This was what it meant to be married to a someone in public office though. It was putting your own dreams on hold for the sake of the bigger picture and in this picture Adam was running for mayor of the city of New York, which was huge.

It also meant that I wouldn't be taking either of the jobs my father offered me as the accounts manager of White Oak Beer. My heart still hurt a little when I thought about the last conversation I had with him about it, which had gone from a job offer to a screaming match. Dad was less than thrilled that I was putting my career on hold for Adam. He said it was unlike me and frankly, disappointing. The door opened behind me, and I did a little jolt as I turned around to see my best friend Jamie walking in with a huge smile on her face.

"You look stunning," she said.

"I don't feel stunning."

"Is it because your mom's flight is running late?" She frowned as she walked toward me.

"No." I shook my head. "I'm surprised she's even coming at all."

"You know she wouldn't miss this."

That wasn't exactly true. Neither of us knew she wouldn't miss it, which further annoyed me. It wasn't like her only daughter was getting married or anything. God forbid she pick a flight that would've had her here a few days ago and not the day of. She'd been on a month-long vacation with her boyfriend in Greece, surely she could have ended the trip a little sooner. I took a long, deep breath and exhaled it slowly. It didn't matter. It was my wedding day. Today was about Adam and I. I smiled as I thought of him and found it a little easier to breathe. At least my father was here to walk me down the aisle.

My relationship with my parents had gone from bad to worse. Because of the job thing with dad and because I didn't approve of my mother's dating life. I liked to think it was in the mending stage now, especially with my mom. She'd found a respectable man her age and I had Adam – a successful politician who'd take care of me. Of course, there was a lot more to him than just that, but that was what my mother appreciated about him because it meant she no longer had to worry about me.

Standing up, I adjusted my dress and let Jamie fix the veil on my head. I looked in the mirror and took another deep breath. I loved Adam. Adam was good for me. He was hard working, loved me, and wanted to offer me the world. He'd said as much more than enough times in the two years we'd been dating.

"I think I just need a moment to regroup." I slid my gaze to Jamie.

"I'll go make sure the rest of the girls are ready and that none of the guys are running late." She put both hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eyes. "It's completely normal to freak out right now. If you need more than a few minutes, we'll stall. I'll go up there and sing and make half the attendees disappear if I have to."

I laughed. "I'll be ready in five minutes. No awful singing required."

"Okay, but if you need me to take one for the team . . . " She winked at me. "I'll be back in five."

I kept my smile intact until I heard the door click. Then, I sagged down on the chair in front of the mirror again. I looked perfect. My red hair was made in a perfect knot-up do. My makeup was flawless, not a freckle in sight. I reached for the champagne on the little table beside me and sipped it. Liquid courage wasn't something I relied on, but the warmth that spread through me was welcome. I didn't know why we'd decided on a winter wedding. A winter wedding in a grand estate. It was a little girl's fairytale, I supposed. Not mine, but some little girl out there somewhere. Adam thought I would love it and I went along with it because I loved him and I knew public perception was important to him. The click of the door opening caught my attention. I steadied my glass, gripping the stem as I anticipated my mother's arrival. When it opened fully and I found Nathaniel, I felt my eyes bulge out of their sockets.