“Promise me you won’t give him a fucking minute. If he’s here only for the wedding, then let him be.”

“I can’t do that, Chiara. There are some things I want to tell him.”

“But, Auttie—”

I place a finger on her lips. “Thank you so much for always looking out for me. But for the first time in my life, I have something I genuinely want, Chi. Lukas might have come into my life through a silly promise, but me wanting him is my choice. I fell in love with him not because someone forced me to, but because my heart knows he’s my missing piece.” I put my hands down and graze the gimmel ring he placed on my finger four years back. “And didn’t you tell me that true love comes with heartache?”

“I speak half rubbish,” she mumbles. “You shouldn’t pay attention to everything I say.” We’re interrupted when a familiar black Jeep parks in the employee parking lot, and my heart thuds at the sight of Lukas walking out.

He’s wearing a tux. His tousled hair is set with every strand in place. With his black aviators on, he looks like he’d walk off a movie set right now.

“Why does he have to be so handsome?” Chiara whispers, but as if he can hear us, his head jerks up.

My pulse takes off like a runaway train when he pushes his aviators up, and I feel the heat of his gaze boring into me, burning me alive. Our gaze remains locked for a few more minutes, until someone calls for Lukas and he walks away.

40. Lukas

40

LUKAS

Throughout the ceremony, I feel like there’s something heavy lodged in my throat. Every time I look at Autumn, that pain in my heart aggravates.

She is…just so beautiful. Dressed in a deep red dress, she’s standing at the side making sure everything is perfect. When our eyes meet, she doesn’t hesitate like I thought she would. She holds my gaze, demanding answers to her silent questions, and I haven’t felt more nervous in my whole fucking life.

I’m the first one to look away, but not for long.

When my gaze returns back to her, her sole focus is on the wooden arch where the bride and groom are standing. Andy grins at Maya and kisses her cheek before the Reverend has even started. There’s laughter and happiness on everyone’s faces.

Everything is in contrast to our wedding four years ago. The only emotion that surrounded us that day was anxiety.

We were doomed from the start.

The music grows louder, claps from the guests harder as the ceremony continues. Finally, everyone is led to the dining hall. It’s almost surreal to see Autumn handling it all with such perfection.