FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 175

CHAPTER 175

Dog THE BIG DAY

– JAMIE

I woke up with my heart racing and a smile I couldn’t have wiped off my face if I’d tried.

Today was the day.

After all the waiting, all the planning, and every unexpected disaster of the past few days, our wedding day had finally arrived.

I was getting married to Simon.

Just thinking about it sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach. That man was going to be my husband. Oh my God. My husband!

I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this was actually happening when my mother walked into the bedroom, before I’d even managed to finish breakfast.

“Don’t start crying yet. They haven’t even done your makeup.”

“Good morning to you, too.”

She straightened the collar of my robe, studied my face, and went quiet for a moment.

“Are you happy?”

“Very.”

She smiled and kissed my forehead.

A little while later, we headed to Whitmore House, where preparations for the ceremony were already underway.

The moment we arrived, a delicious flutter of nerves swept through me. The garden I’d fallen in love with on our first visit looked even more beautiful now, with white flowers lining the aisle leading to the altar. It was hard to believe that in just a few hours, I’d be walking down that very aisle to marry Simon.

My mother accompanied me to the bridal suite, and the rest of the morning flew by in a whirlwind of hairstylists, makeup artists, bobby pins, flowers, and a never-ending stream of messages.

When I was finally ready, I stood in front of the mirror.

For a few seconds, I barely recognized myself.

It wasn’t the dress, the hairstyle, or the makeup.

It was the smile I couldn’t seem to stop wearing.

I was happy. So ridiculously happy that I couldn’t imagine how one person could possibly contain this much joy.

That was when my father appeared in the doorway.

He took two steps into the room, stopped when he saw me, and pressed a hand to his chest.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

“Dad, don’t start.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Your eyes say otherwise.”

He laughed and offered me his arm.

Outside, soft sunlight washed over the estate’s gardens. Arrangements of white roses and pale peonies lined the aisle between the chairs. Tall trees framed the altar, and a gentle breeze stirred the delicate fabric draped around the floral arrangements. Everything looked elegant without losing the warmth of an intimate family celebration.

My grandmother was sitting in the front row. When she spotted me, she lifted her chin with that familiar, stubborn pride I’d known since childhood. My mother was already reaching for a tissue. Nearby sat Ethan, some of Simon’s longtime friends, a few of my coworkers, Simon’s father, and Susan.

The children grew excited when they saw me. Lily waved enthusiastically, carefully holding the little ring pillow. Chloe, seated beside them, helped keep the youngest one settled.

I tightened my grip on my father’s arm.

Simon stood at the altar in a dark suit, his shoulders squared and his hands clasped in front of him. The moment he saw me, his jaw tightened. He blinked rapidly, then tried to compose his features into their usual serious expression.

Too late.

I’d seen it.

My father walked me down the aisle. Simon didn’t take his eyes off me once. When we reached the altar, he shook my father’s hand before reaching for mine.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured close to my ear.

“You’re not looking too bad yourself, Hart.”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

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