Chapter 319
Chapter 319:
I let out a slow sigh and decided it was better not to give them any attention.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Smith p>
Cheers and laughter echoed as Alex and Rian made their way to the car waiting for them. Alex stepped toward the door, but Rian paused and looked back, scanning the crowd as if she were searching for something—or someone.
She found me among the sea of faces, and her smile widened when our eyes met. With Alex still holding her hand, she crossed the space between us and stopped in front of me. Without a word, Rian placed her bouquet in my hands.
I blinked, unsure what to do with it. “Rian p>
She only smiled wider as Alex moved to Daniel and gave him a quick pat on the shoulder. Daniel looked as surprised as I felt.
“To my dear sister and best friend, I pass the crown to you p>
𝘚𝗮𝗏e 𝘺𝗼u𝘳 fa𝗏𝗈𝗋𝘪𝘵е 𝗇o𝘷е𝘭𝘀 оn ѕ.со𝗺
I froze—not only because she’d said it in Italian, but because I understood every syllable.
Daniel spoke before I could. “What did you just say?” he asked, frowning.
“To my adorable sister and friend, I’m passing the crown to you.” Rian repeated the same words in Portuguese, rolling her eyes at her brother.
I hugged them both before Alex finally guided Rian toward the car.
Maybe if things were different, I would have thanked her for handing me the bouquet. But gratitude didn’t come easily—not while I was still trapped in an arrangement that didn’t allow me to hope, or want more than what I was permitted.
Real life rarely offered fairy tales, and truth was rarely kind.
There were things I had to hold on to, things no agreement could touch. I reminded myself why I’d gotten married in the first place: to find Layla and leave my old life behind once and for all.
The mood shifted in an instant when Rian suddenly doubled over and her water broke, cutting off any plans for a reception before they could even begin.
Alex reacted without thinking. He scooped Rian into his arms and sprinted toward the hospital, all of us rushing after them.
“Looks like their little one already knows how to start some drama,” my father-in-law murmured, earning a round of laughter from everyone in the waiting room.
For nearly two hours, we sat restlessly outside the delivery room, not knowing what was happening inside. I couldn’t sit still anymore, so I nudged Craig.
“Come on. Let’s go get something to eat p>
But just as we stepped into the hallway, Daniel’s voice caught up with us.
“Where are you two sneaking off to p>
Craig and I exchanged a look before I turned back. “We’re just going to grab a quick snack p>
“I’ll go with you.” Daniel slipped his hand into mine, pulling it away from Craig’s.
“But they need you here,” I insisted, trying to free my hand. He only tightened his grip.
“My family is here, and so is Alex’s. Their friends have things under control. I’d rather be with you right now p>