Emily's POV
I was in love with a man who was marrying someone else.
Not exactly the smartest life choice.
"Emily!"
I blinked and looked up from the floral arrangements I had been pretending to organize.
Mrs. Kingston stood across the ballroom, her elegant silver dress sweeping across the polished floor as she hurried toward me.
The Grand Royale Hotel had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. White roses draped from crystal arches. Thousands of tiny lights glittered overhead. Every table looked like it belonged in a luxury wedding magazine.
And why wouldn't it?
This was Edward Kingston's wedding.
The wedding the entire city had been talking about it for months.
"Sorry." I forced a smile. What did you need? Mrs. Kingston sighed dramatically.
The florist forgot the additional arrangements for the entrance. The caterer is arguing with the event coordinator. Half the guests have already arrived, and Leah's makeup artist is demanding a private suite.
I laughed softly.
So basically everything is going according to schedule.
"Exactly."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. For years, the Kingston family had treated me like one of their own. My father had been friends with Mr. Kingston before he passed away.
Since then, Mrs. Kingston has practically adopted me which was both wonderful and incredibly painful because I didn't get to spend time around Edward.
"You're a lifesaver, sweetheart," she said.
"I haven't done anything."
"You exist. That's enough." I smiled despite myself.
"Go enjoy your son's wedding."
Mrs. Kingston snorted.
"I'll enjoy it when they're legally married."
I watched her disappear into the crowd.
Then my gaze drifted toward the massive windows overlooking the city.
Toward him. Edward Kingston, The groom.
My stomach immediately betrayed me…. God.
He looked so handsome, his fair complexion looks so captivating, the black tuxedo fit him perfectly, tall, broad shoulders and dark hair. The kind of face that belonged on magazine covers.
Several investors were speaking with him, but Edward handled the conversation effortlessly, confident, calm, and powerful, everything he always was.
As if sensing my stare, he looked up. Our eyes met, my heart instantly forgot how to function. I watched him speak to the investors, admiring how handsome he is.
Then his phone buzzed.
The moment vanished.
Edward glanced at the screen.
A small frown appeared.
"Leah?" I asked myself.
He slipped the phone into his pocket. "Pick up your call,” I heard one of the investors saying.
"I'll call her back."
"Edward."
"What?"
"Your bride is probably more important than anyone else.”
A teasing smile appeared.
"Debatable."
My heart performed another dangerous somersault.
A group of executives approached, business never slept, not even on wedding days.
After his conversation with his executives, he started walking away. Then paused, turning back.
"Thanks for being here, Emily."
The sincerity in his voice hurt more than it should have.
"Where else would I be?"
Something flickered in his expression, something I couldn't identify. Then he turned and walk away.
I watched him go.
Just like I always did.
Because loving Edward Kingston had become a habit I didn't know how to break. And in a few hours, he would belong to someone elses’ forever.
The thought twisted painfully inside my chest, I forced myself to look away.
Only then did I notice the giant television screens mounted near the ballroom entrance.
Every major entertainment channel was covering the wedding. Reporters crowded outside, cameras flashed nonstop. Headlines rolled across the screen.
"WEDDING OF THE YEAR"
"EDWARD KINGSTON AND LEAH HART TO SAY I DO"
"AMERICA'S FAVORITE POWER COUPLE"
I stared at the images.
Edward and Leah smiling, holding hands, looking perfect, looking happy, looking like the future.
A strange feeling settled in my stomach, Unease.
I couldn't explain it.
Everything looked perfect.
So why did it feel like something was about to go terribly wrong?