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Hearing Jennie telling Haruto with no uncertainty in her tone that marrying me was a mistake causes a sick pit to open in my gut. Yes, she's said as much to my face, but hearing her tell Haruto makes it real. Makes it feel like I'm up against insurmountable odds. Haruto disapproves. I know he's pissed at me, and I can hardly blame him, but I only want what's best for Jennie.

I want her to be happy.

I want her to love me as much as I love her.

We are standing at the altar waiting, Haruto looks like the cat that got the cream as he impatiently waits for Jisoo. Kai stands on the other side of me messing with his phone. I'm about ten seconds away from shoving the thing down his throat, especially when the music starts, and he doesn't put the damn thing away. I elbow him—probably harder than necessary—to get his attention, he rolls his eyes and puts the phone in his pocket.

Stupid fucker.

All thoughts of dismembering Kai disappear into the ether when Jennie walks through the doorway. Everything fades away except for her. I barely notice Rosé as she makes her way to her place… my eyes are only on the vision in pink.

I'm completely dumbstruck as she walks toward the altar. I caught a glimpse of her when I came to get Haruto for the ceremony, but nothing prepared me for this. Her dress hugs her body, accentuating all of her curves. There is the slightest hint of cleavage—just enough to drive a man crazy—and it falls to the floor in a waterfall of pink. I'm slightly shocked at how modest the dress is, it's not what I expected Jisoo would pick for her wedding day.

When Jennie takes the first step, and the silky-smooth skin of her leg is revealed every thought about modesty goes out the window. The slit is cut ridiculously high on her thigh. It would be nothing to slip my hand inside and straight to her pussy. With every step she takes, I feel a possessiveness rising up inside me. Every fucker in this room is staring at my wife, cocks hard for what's mine.

It takes all of my self-control not to snarl like a wild animal and throw her over my shoulder and carry her upstairs to my room, lay her out on the bed, and fuck her senseless. I close my eyes and take a steadying breath. The moment I open them, they unerringly find hers. I expect her to be avoiding my gaze, but she's looking at me with heat and… Longing?

Surely, it's just my imagination.

Has to be.

The music changes, announcing the bride, but I still can't pry my eyes away. Then the officiant is speaking, and I know I should be paying attention, but I'm entranced. Jennie's gaze never waivers from mine. I'm brought back to reality when Haruto whisper-shouts at me for the rings. Jennie's cheeks flush pink when she realizes we've been caught staring. She avoids looking at me through the rest of the ceremony, except for the quick side-long glances she throws my way. I can't help smiling every time she looks, and I feel like a million bucks when her blush returns and her lips quirk up into a small smile.

Two hours and what feels like a thousand pictures later, we make our way to the reception. Jennie and I are, once again, sat side by side at dinner. I thought for a minute that she would demand the seating arrangements be changed, but she sat quietly beside me. Though, this time, her quietness isn't because she's ignoring me. No, she's studying me from the corner of her eye and surreptitiously watching me.

The dinner seems to be over in a flash, and it's time to cut the cake and make our toasts to the bride and groom. I've never been the romantic type, and the speech I prepared reflects my ineptitude. As I look down at my wife—my wife—my words come easily.

"I had a whole speech prepared for this toast, but it no longer feels right to talk about how Haruto wet the bed until he was nine."

Everyone laughs at this, but teasing Haruto is no longer my goal. Looking at how genuinely happy he is sitting there beside his bride, knowing that he did everything in his power to give Jisoo the wedding of her dreams, I'm flooded with guilt at denying Jennie a day like this. She deserves the wedding she's always dreamt about, not a quickie wedding with a cheesy Elvis impersonator.

"Call me jaded, but I've never put much value on big fancy weddings or romance in general. This weekend has opened my eyes in so many ways." I pause, looking down at Jennie as she nervously chews her bottom lip. If things weren't so fucked up between us right now, I'd caress her cheek and let her know there isn't a reason to be nervous. Hopefully, she can see the sincerity in my eyes.

"But now… Now I can see why it's important. It's about giving the woman you love what she wants. It's about making her happy no matter what. It's about stepping into the future with the one and only person you want to grow old with. It's the start of forever."

I'm talking directly to Jennie, and from the tears shimmering in her eyes, I know she knows. I get caught up in watching her and almost forget that I'm standing in front of a hundred people who are waiting for me to finish my speech.

I clear my throat and raise my glass. "To Haruto and Jisoo, may your love be ever-lasting."

Jennie is standing on the edge of the dance floor watching Haruto twirl Jisoo around. She's smiling, her whole face lighting up at the sight. She looks absolutely breathtaking. I want nothing more than to have her in my arms, smiling at me with as much love and adoration as Jisoo has for my brother.

I make my way through the crowd of people, stopping just behind Jennie. I'm instantly surrounded by her sweet honeysuckle scent. My cock responds to her nearness, but I rein in my desire because now isn't the time.

The song ends, and more couples move onto the dance floor. Jennie's shoulders sag, not enough for most to notice, but I do. She went from practically effervescent to holding the weight of the world on her shoulders, and I hate that I've played a part in making her feel that way.

"Dance with me, beautiful." I meant it as a question, but it sounds like a demand. She turns her eyes on me, indecision warring in her mind. "It's just a dance, Jennie. Please," I add.

She gives me a little nod, and I lead her to the dance floor. The song is a slow one, so I take her into my arms, holding her closer than is entirely necessary, but she doesn't push me away. I count it as a win, small as it may be. We dance in silence through one song, then the next. As the third song starts, Jennie pulls away slightly and looks up at me.

"Lisa."

She says my name so quietly that if we weren't so close, I wouldn't have heard her. The way she's looking at me is almost painful. There is so much turmoil in her gaze. I'd give anything to take away all of her doubts, but I don't know how. The only thing that will do that is time and the only way I can have time is if she gives it to me.

"Jennie," I say with reverence.

"What are we going to do?" she asks.

"Give me a chance. Give us a chance."

I cup her cheek with one hand, still holding her close with the other as we slowly move to the song. She closes her eyes and presses her face into my hand, seeking the comfort I'm offering.

"I'm scared," she whispers.

"I know, sweetheart. I'm scared, too," I reply honestly.

It's the truth. She has the power to give me everything I've ever wanted or to take it away. I've never let myself be vulnerable like this with anyone, but I have to do things differently with Jennie. I need her to know exactly how I feel and that I am serious about her—about us. Our marriage might have started out in a less than desirable way, but I want it more than anything.

"What are we going to do?"

She repeats her earlier question, but I sense that she's not truly looking for an answer. So, I do the only thing I can; I pull her closer as we dance.

As soon as our dance is over, Jennie disappears with Rosé.

I haven't seen Jennie since our dance and I know she's avoiding me. I'm frustrated that she ran, but I can understand. She's overwhelmed and scared about what happens next. She doesn't believe that we can build a relationship. She's ready to give up before we've even gotten a chance, but I'm not about to let that happen.

"Lisa, what are you doing hiding out over here?" my mother asks.

I lean forward and kiss her cheek. "I'm not hiding."

She makes a disapproving sound—the same sound she makes any time one of her kids is being an idiot. I know the sound well. I also know the sound precedes a lecture. I look around for a way out, but I'm stuck.

"You can't lie to me," she chides. "Just like you can't hide from me. Moms see everything. Now you tell me what is going on with you and Jennie."

I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes like a temperamental teen. I should have known that this confrontation was coming. She's not lying when she says she sees everything. That old saying about having eyes in the back of your head is true with her. We were never allowed to get away with anything. Why this would be any different, I don't know.

"Nothing is going on with Jennie." The words fall flat even to my own ears.

Shaking her head, she responds exactly as I expected. "You're full of shit, Lisa Manoban."

At that I smile, mom always has a way of cutting straight to the quick. How do I tell my mom that I fucked up epically with a woman she considers her own flesh and blood? The disappointment will be worse than any anger she could possibly throw my way. I debate on what I should tell her and what I should keep to myself. I must take too long because mom crosses her arms over her chest and gives me the look. You know the one—the spill-now-or-you'll-rue-the-day-you-were-born look.

"We eloped after the rehearsal dinner."

I decide to just start with the worst because I'm in for a world of hurt either way. I brace myself for a deluge, but she's oddly silent. She's simply staring at me. Maybe she's dumbfounded, or she could be trying to come up with the most creative way to beat me senseless. I'm floored when she throws her arms around me and squeezes me tightly.

"Thank God!" she says with enthusiasm. "I wondered when you kids were going to get your heads out of your asses. You've been in love with that girl since high school and she's been head over heels for you just as long."

I gently push her away, shocked at her reaction.

"Mom, she doesn't want to be married to me."

She snorts indelicately. "Of course she does, don't be an idiot."

"Seriously, she wants an annulment," I say morosely. "She was drunk and vulnerable…" I trail off, hating the truth of that statement. I feel like a grade-A dick.

"Well, you'll just have to change her mind then won't you?"

I spy Rosé entering the room without Jennie. She rushes over to Jisoo and Haruto, talking in rushed whispers. Haruto shoots me a sympathetic look and I know that whatever Rosé is telling them isn't good news.

I give my mom a kiss on her cheek and excuse myself without explanation. Rosé looks up as I approach, and to say her look is scathing would be an understatement. I've thoroughly pissed her off. I like that she's so protective of Jennie, but that's not going to do me any favors.

"Where's Jennie?" I ask, cutting straight to the chase.

When Rosé just gives me the evil eye, Haruto speaks up. "She's going home."

"What do you mean she's going home?"

Rosé rolls her eyes. "She wants to get as far away from you as she can, asshole."

"Rosé," Jisoo says shocked at her vehemence.

"I'm sorry, sis," Haruto tries to play the mediator. "I'm sure she just needs some space."

I pull out my phone and dial her number. It rings straight through to voicemail. "Jennie, sweetheart. Call me, please."

"When is her flight?"

Rosé smirks. "About five minutes ago."

"Fuck!" I roar, running my fingers roughly through my hair.

"Lisa…" Haruto calls after me as I storm away, but I ignore him.