Just Before My Wedding: Trapped By My Ruthless Boss novel Chapter 136

11:44 am

Chapter 136

MA

Chapter 136

KISAREL

Not talking to Elgin felt like standing on sinking ground.

I stood in front of the mirror and touched the edge of my bangs, smoothing them into place before reaching for my mascara, working the wand, and for a second I saw the version of me that would’ve called him by now, laughing, asking which earrings made me look less like a hostage to my own life. He’d have said something filthy and perfect, and I’d have felt human again.

I checked my phone for the sixth time while clipping one earring into place, hating myself a little more each time the screen stayed empty–no missed call, no text, not even a cold little thumbs-up to prove he had seen my apology and decided to ignore it with style.

Jace appeared in the doorway behind me, already dressed in a dark suit. He had no tie on, and a watch I’d never seen before.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you.” I pressed my lips together to even out the color of my lipstick, then turned slightly. “You’re ready early. Give me ten minutes.”

“I’m leaving now.”

I lowered the lipstick. “You won’t wait for me?”

His brows lifted a little. “For what?”

“For the engagement party.” I faced him fully. “Aren’t we going together?”

“The engagement…” He adjusted his cuff. “Something came up. I have things to take care of tonight.”

“Things.” I stared at him in disbelief. “What other things?” I asked.

His hand stilled on his cufflink for half a second before he smiled. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Jace, the whole family will be there. The press. Everyone.”

“Then the whole world won’t miss me.” He shrugged, unbothered. “You can stay home too, if you want. No one’s forcing you.”

“I can’t stay home. Mr. Stark is my boss. Half the company staff is expected.” I smoothed the dress over my hips, more to steady my hands than the fabric. “It would look strange if I didn’t show.”

“Suit yourself.” He came over and pressed a dry kiss to my temple that I felt nothing through. “Don’t wait up. And Arel-” his eyes flicked to my bare finger, “-get that ring back tonight.”

He left before I could reply.

I grabbed my clutch off the bed and was halfway to the door when my phone buzzed.

Nessa: “I found something. Don’t panic. Go to the engagement tonight. We’ll talk after.”

***

The taxi rounded the last bend, and the venue rose up out of the dark like something from a different life.

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11:44 am

Chapter 136

MA

was all pale stone and glass, lit from below so the whole façade glowed gold against the night sky.

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Crystal lights spilled from the entrance in long gold sheets, catching on the polished cars pulling up one after another.

I sat there for two seconds too long.

The driver glanced back. “Ma’am?”

“Yes.” I blinked and paid him quickly. “Thank you.”

I paid the driver and stepped out, smoothing my dress, and for one stupid second I let myself feel almost beautiful.

Then the ground shifted under my heels. Though it wasn’t enough to make me fall, it was enough that I had to stop beside the taxi and press two fingers against my temple. A sudden wave of sour nausea rolled through me, climbing into my throat before I could swallow it down.

What did I expect when the driver had taken too many sharp turns? And I hadn’t eaten much before leaving Jace’s house.

It was all nerves, hunger, and the smell of too much perfume in the air as guests passed me, laughing softly under the gold lights.

I breathed through my nose until the dizziness settled.

Then I held my clutch tighter and started toward the entrance, and that was when I saw Aunt Freda.

For one second, everything around me disappeared when I saw my mother’s necklace around her neck. The pendant caught the light as Freda turned her head, and something inside me cracked so sharply I almost heard it.

I wanted to walk over there and rip it off her neck. But the best I could do was stew over it.

She didn’t even see me.

I stood frozen and watched her until she disappeared inside/until someone brushed past my shoulder.

“Excuse me.”

I snapped back to myself and moved forward with my heart beating a little too hard now. One of the security men near the entrance looked at me as I approached them. His eyes immediately dropped to his tablet before returning to my face.

“Name, ma’am?”

“Kisarel Harry,” I said, trying to put up a smile and a steady voice. “SSC.”

He searched the screen.

The other guard looked over his shoulder, before looking at me again.

I waited, even as a tiny voice in my head kept telling me that something was wrong.

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A small line appeared between the first guard’s brows, as he looked at me like I had just wandered into a dangerous zone, “Do you have an invitation?”

My brows narrowed a fraction. “Invitation?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

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11:44 am

Chapter 136

MA

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