The Wrong Bride (The Windsors, #1)

by Catharina Maura

“I don’t know about that, you know? I don’t think Ares is as happy as he convinces himself he is, and I sincerely doubt he sees you as just a friend, Rave. He might not be able to admit it to himself, but there’s always been something between you two. It was there before Hannah was ever even in the picture, and she was never able to fully erase it. She may have tried, but she’s never been able to take your place in his life.” I look down at my hands, unsure what to say. I hate it when she gives me hope that I have no business having.

Hmmm interesting

“Raven, I’m convinced that the only reason they’re still together is because they know they have no other choice. Just like me, Ares knows he has to marry someone of our Grandma’s choosing… but the one she initially chose for him wasn’t Hannah. It was you.”

Whaaaat?

That all changed when I took Hannah with me to Sierra’s twenty-first birthday party. I remember that night vividly. I saw him first, but she’s the one he never looked away from.

Dang

force a smile onto my face and cross my arms. The older I get, the less I see my parents. Their entire world revolves around Hannah, and I hate going where I’m not welcome. I shouldn’t feel excluded in my own home, but I do.

This is so sad

“Everything has to be perfect,” Mom mutters. “Hannah has waited so long for this day.” I just about keep from rolling my eyes. “She’s postponed the wedding three times, Mom. I don’t think she’s all that impatient.”

Ooh that must be a sign she’s nervous or something

You might not get it, but the least you can do is keep silent if you have nothing good to say.”

Wow. I don’t like her mother either

suppose it doesn’t matter what I do. All she cares about is that I didn’t follow in her footsteps like Hannah did.

I hope she stands up to her and calls her out on her BS

“Is this because you don’t want to be seen or photographed with me? Hannah, we’re getting married in a month. Don’t forget about our agreement. The moment we’re married, we’re taking our relationship public, so what’s the harm in us being captured together tonight?”

Oh wow. Five years together in secret!? Dang

What? She almost always declines my calls, but she has time to speak to Lex?

Oooh someone jealous

She’s so easy to love, and the entire world sees it but her.

Hannah does it too. She takes Raven for granted, and I think she knows it. Raven has organized almost every single detail of our wedding, and even tonight, she’s sitting here because she knows Hannah would be upset if she didn’t show at all, yet Hannah isn’t putting any effort into ensuring Raven is included.

Yeah. I really don’t like Hannah.

“Why won’t you let us in?” she asks, her voice carrying a hint of agony. Oh fuck. “I will, sweetheart. Of course I will.”

He’s so oblivious and so in love at the same time

Raven has never once acted inappropriately with me. She’s never even given me an sign that she sees me as a man at all. What the fuck? What’s with the sweatpants comment?

Soooo oblivious

I know I’m dreaming when I see her smile at me so innocently, her body pressed against mine. I’ve been having this exact same dream for years.

Okay not oblivious just in denial

It’s messed up, and I know it, but I’ve always wanted you.”

“You try, Lex. Put that PhD of yours to good use.” Lex frown at Luca and shakes his head. “I have a PhD in robotics. What am I supposed to do? Build him a robot fiancee?”

HAHAHAHA

Zane bursts out laughing. “I bet the robot would still have more character than Hannah ever did. Don’t tell me any of you are actually upset they broke up? Fuck this love match bullshit, because when it comes to Ares, love clearly is fucking blind.”

He’s damn right

can’t. Not her, Grandma. She’s a friend. I’ve always seen her the same way I see Sierra, you know that.”

Why you LYIN!?

What is it that she’s seeing between Ares and me that I’m not seeing?

EVERYTHING

take a step back and look around. She’s right. Nearly every single thing in here was chosen by Hannah. I let her do whatever she wanted, and I’ve never even truly loved my own home as a result. How did I never see that before?

Zane is right. He is blind 😂

“I’m so incredibly disappointed in you, Raven. I don’t understand how you two can both be my daughters when you’re so different. I wish you could be more like your sister.”

Okay. I really hate her mother

Why can’t I ever be anyone’s priority? What makes me so undeserving of that? Why can I never measure up against Hannah in my parents’ eyes? In Ares’s eyes? What is it that she’s got and I’ll never have? Why is my best never enough?

Aw I just wanna give her a hug

“I… Can I have a hug?”

I’ll give you a hug 🤗😭🤗

This chemistry between us… it’s always been there, but it’s inescapable now.

Can’t deny it now

That isn’t the point. I’m just trying to say that I do try to look out for you in my own way.” I shake my head. “Not everything can always be your way, Han. You don’t get to decide whether I feel like you’re there for me.”

That’s right!! Tell her raven!

With me to rely on, Ares won’t expect too much from you, and you won’t lose so much of your own life. After all, eventually, you’ll have to go back to it, won’t you? You know he doesn’t want you. He broke off your engagement to be with me five years ago, and it’s still me he wants.”

What a B Word

Her eyes widen in surprise, as though she didn’t expect me to deny her. I suppose I never have before. I’ve always given into anything she’s asked of me. Always. But that ends today.

yeah! I love that Raven’s standing up for herself. Go away Hannah!

I love my sister with all my heart, but I won’t sacrifice another moment of my own happiness for her — not when she had it all and chose to walk away.

Yep. She chose to walk away. That’s right. Hannah deserves the consequences.

but I don’t care. I’m done putting others above myself.

YEAHHH! Go Raven!

“Hannah… she’s my wife. You knew exactly what you were doing when you left me at the altar. You walked out on us, so you have no right to tell me what I can or cannot do with the woman I married.”

DAMN RIGHT! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

“Rave, I’m sorry. You know what I’m like, right? I let my emotions get the best of me, and I was jealous. I know you two wouldn’t do that to me, but I just couldn’t see clearly. I’m sorry, Rave.”

What a BS apology. Get out Hannah! Leave. Goodbye!

This thing between us… it’s always been there.

Just like Sierra said. Y’all got chemistry!!!!

“I need you to leave, Hannah. It’s what you do best, after all.”

OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

“She’s the smartest, sweetest, most loyal and most hardworking woman I know. She has never once let me down, and she’s always been there for me throughout the years, no matter what I asked of her. Raven isn’t just my wife. She’s everything to me. She might be my sister’s best friend, but she’s mine, too. I fell for her heart before I ever fell for any other part of her.”

Awwwww

Hannah isn’t used to not getting her way, and I think she’s finally starting to realize that she and I are truly over.

No. She’s gone crazy. She needs help. A therapist. Or something. My gosh.

“Is that so? I assume you told her to accept the fact that she chose to walk away from him? Did you remind her that I’m married to Ares? What exactly is so surprising about me being with my own husband? Surely she isn’t thinking anything immoral. You raised her better than that, didn’t you?”

ohhhhhh!!!! Go raven!

“Damn, girl,” she says, grinning. “It’s about damn time.”

I agree. She’s finally standing up for herself. I love it

“The socialite? She’s a spoiled materialistic airhead.”

So is Hannah

Valentina stares at his retreating back, hesitating for a single moment before she goes after him. Grandma watches them and smiles to herself. Something about that smile doesn’t sit well with me. Is she… is she playing some kind of game?

Ooh she’s playing matchmaker. Hahah. I love her!

“Insensitive? What is? To be spending a weekend in the same home as the woman who left me at the altar? No, not at all.” He turns to me then. “You don’t mind that, do you? Or we wouldn’t be here.”

OHHHHHH!!!! 👏🏾😆

Hannah walks in, pausing when she sees Ares. Her eyes flash with agony for a moment, and it hits me right in the chest. This is exactly what it used to be like for me. I used to hate coming home, because I couldn’t bear seeing her with him. The last thing I want to do to her is make her feel my pain. No one should have to go through that.

Awww Raven. Bless her heart.

You have no idea what you do to me, do you?”

Hannah better the wearing earplugs If she isn’t. 😂😂😂😂 HAHAHAHAH👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

“It’s truly over between us, isn’t it?” she asks, following my gaze.

Oh my gosh. That’s what they’ve been telling you!

“No one can make me as happy as you do, Ares. Despite everything that happened, despite the fact that you’re married to my sister, I still want you.”

She needs help

“Hmm, you might be onto something there. Ares does call me his little slut, after all.” Her eyes widen as though she can’t believe I just said that, and I merely shrug. “I’m done indulging you. You put me through hell for years, and I always gave in, because that’s just how it’s always been between us. Not anymore, Hannah. Walking away from Ares is the best thing you ever could’ve done for me, but it’s also the worst thing you ever could’ve done to me. Your blatant disregard for my happiness and my plans for my future is disgusting. I’m done hoping that someday, you’ll go back to being the big sister I once looked up to.”

YEAHHHH about time! WOOHOO

You know that I do. But I won’t sacrifice any more for you.”

Just cut her off Raven. It’s better that way.

“You say that as though you’ve ever had to sacrifice anything for me at all.”

BECAUSE SHE HAS! 🤦🏾‍♀️

“You wouldn’t be standing here today if I hadn’t sacrificed anything for you. Similarly, I wouldn’t exist without you. We both know that Mom and Dad only had me because they needed my bone marrow to save your life. I’ve spent my entire life living in your shadow, Hannah, giving into anything you wanted, supporting you in any way I could think of, even if it meant making myself small and invisible. I’m done. I’m done being taken for granted. I’m done being pushed around. I love you, but I can’t have you in my life if all you bring me is sorrow.”

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 there you go!

“I loved you,” I tell her, my voice breaking. “I’m pretty sure I loved you from the moment I took my first breath, and I’ll love you until I take my last. It kills me that you don’t feel the same way, but at least I know now.” I take a step away, taking one last look at my sister. “You’re toxic, Hannah. Not just to me, but to yourself. It isn’t just me you’re losing today, you know? With each passing day, you lose more of yourself, too. But you know what? It isn’t my job to save you. Not anymore.” I force myself to walk away from my sister, knowing deep down that I should’ve done it long ago.

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I’m sad but also happy for Raven. She should’ve cut Hannah out of her life a long time ago. I’m happy she did it now

“I don’t get it. I asked her to send some flowers to my fiancee, and she just quit, right there and then.

Oh my gosh. What an idiot 😂🤦🏾‍♀️