CHAPTER ONE-Better man
Steffy answers the door wearing a low-cut white gown that Bill had custom made for her.
This is her wedding dress, she thinks gloomily.
Bill wants them to marry as soon as possible, that is exactly why she called Carter. He can drawn up the paperwork for the prenuptial agreement, then perform the marriage ceremony, and she can start her life with Bill.
After all, he was completely devoted to her.
In time she could learn to love him too. She could forget all those feelings of heartbreak and pain that Liam caused her. She would not have to be anyone second choice again.
She would let go of her fantasy life with her, Liam, and Kelly. They would never be the family that she longed for.
She would force herself to feel something besides emptiness. If that is possible.
Because if Liam was going to leave her for Hope, then she sure wasn't going to end up alone raising her daughter.
She would not have a father that would go in and out of Kelly's life like it was nothing. If Liam would not be there for their daughter, Bill promised to be. She had to move on from Liam.
Why shouldn't it be with Bill?
"Carter, you made it," Steffy said looking at his familiar face behind the door.
He nodded, his expression soft. "I understand you want to marry Bill Spencer. When did this all happen?"
For the first time Steffy looks into Carter's coffee colored eyes . She see that he is concerned for her.
They move to the sofa, Steffy wishing for once that her dress wasn't so low-cut as she took a seat. Not that she is ashamed of her sexiness, she isn't.
But she doesn't want to make Carter uncomfortable.
He seems to be so old-fashion. Despite the fact he is a total babe, he had only one serious girlfriend. After Maya ended their engagement, Carter had not dated since. She often wondered why, but did not know him enough to question.
Perhaps he was hoping Maya would leave Rick for him. Why she he waste his time, Steffy thinks moving closer to him.
"It happened when Liam cheated on me again. He's in love with Hope. She is pregnant. Of course. And I want a secure family for Kelly. Bill promises to love her like his own. So I just want to marry him. Then we can take Kelly, and go to Paris then Aspen. And whenever else Bill wants to go. Far from Liam and Hope," Steffy says decidedly.
"Steffy, how are you doing?"
"I don't know exactly where to start," she says running her fingers through her brown hair.
"I do," Carter whispers, the two are face to face.
"Where is that," she asks finally breaking the silence.
"I have your prenup agreement. And I could perform the wedding ceremony for you and Bill. But I think it's a mistake. There are other guys out there that won't treat like you Liam did. The perfect man for you won't control you with lies or blackmail you. And he is not Bill Spencer," Carter said getting up from the sofa.
"I just don't want to be alone," she admits following him to the door.
"Don't let the fear of being lonely keep you from the life you deserve," he says giving her a small smile. Watching him leave, Steffy takes off the wedding dress.
Maybe just maybe she should not marry Bill after all.
