Separate Weddings, Separate Lives novel Chapter 27

Danica traced the edge of her manicured nails, her fingers digging hard into her own palm. "When the ceremony starts, I still expect your mom to give me my gift," she said.

The words carried more than one meaning. Danica was reminding Thaddeus not to let her be humiliated. She wanted this wedding and every bit of dignity that came with it.

She could not afford to lose to Louisa badly. Even if she already knew she could never truly win.

Compared to Elijah, Thaddeus no longer measured up.

Elijah had long been rumored to have no interest in women, with whispers that he would never marry at all. Yet he had pulled a stunt today while marrying the one woman Danica could least tolerate.

Thaddeus looked at Danica. She had the most innocent-looking face, yet the cruelest words slipped from her lips. In that moment, he understood just how blind he had been, mistaking her for pure and kind.

He regretted it even more now. Out of spite and revenge, he had made the wrong choice and lost the woman he truly loved.

"Fine!" Thaddeus understood exactly what Danica was after, and he agreed anyway.

If she wanted this marriage, he would let her have it. However, they could never get a divorce.

They spoke in low voices, standing close together. No one knew what they were saying, but the guests' curiosity had reached its peak. Even Jake hesitated, unsure whether he should continue.

It wasn't until Thaddeus shot Jake a look that he proceeded.

Jake lived up to his reputation as a good emcee. He turned what was essentially a wedding disaster into a tale of deep devotion. Then, as if by magic, he pulled a strangely shaped ring from his pocket.

"This ring is not gold, not silver, and certainly not a diamond. It is nothing more than a simple clay ring. Yet it bears witness to a man's most raw and sincere love for a woman," Jake improvised smoothly.

He spun a story on the spot, claiming the ring had been handmade by Thaddeus seven years ago, a promise forged by his own hands for Danica.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify