Marrying the Secret Billionaire

Too late for regrets

Prim's POV:

Diana and Nora exchange knowing glances. Will’s jaw dropped on the floor, and it took a while for many of them to recover. The handsome man looked around, surveying the place with expert eyes after lingering briefly on mine because, by God's grace, I was the only one dressed in an all-white ensemble inside the church. Only people with half the brain would not notice that I stick out like a sore thumb.

Diana lets go of her date’s arm and fixes her ultra-tight dress. “Hmm, Prim, what’s the name of your soon-to-be hubby?”

Oh, God. Do I really have to answer? Of course, but I rolled my eyes before answering, “Archie Wright.”

“Maybe this handsome guy over there is his brother. He looks like he should know his whereabouts. I’ll ask. We never know, the Rothschild siblings are kind of camera shy.”

“Where are you going?” Nora attempts to pull Diana back.

“Duh, I just said. I am going to ask him if he’s lost.” She winked back. “Or if he’s not, maybe it’s not too late to pass this baby as his.”

Before Diana could even move in the man’s direction, he was already making his way towards us. His strides were long and sure. I felt like my intestines were braiding itself inside me. This man was oddly familiar. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t recall when or where I saw him.

With a face like that, I would surely recall him. He stopped three feet away from me and my wonderful family. Eric pulled Diana back to his side because she was inches away from the man.

The man extends his hand to me, “Hello.”

“Um, hi?”

Diana butts in, blocking me. “Let me guess, you are a relative of the groom?”

He smiles a little, showing his straight and white teeth. “I wish. I am Archie Wright and I believe it’s our wedding today.” He returns his attention to me, rendering me soft like a jello. “You must be her.”

Hell, I couldn’t find my voice. What is wrong with me? And what is wrong with him? Did he call me, ‘her’? Does he not know my name? Who gets married without asking? Although I know what kind of marriage I signed up for, it's still odd that he hasn't made efforts to know my name. Ugh. I could only stare at the outstretched hand in front of me.

The preacher sees Archie and waves at him. He excused himself and promised to return immediately. Leaving us all baffled and overwhelmed.

“No,” Diana stammers, “this cannot be happening! Damn it, no!”

“Are you okay? Is something painful?” Eric asks her filled with concern. “Do I need to call the doctor?”

“Get me water.” She gasps.

“Hang on. Relax.”

When Eric was out of earshot, she stomped. Making Nora and Will instantly alert at her sudden tantrum. She was obviously not happy. “That’s Archibald Wright?! That’s him? And you don’t know? He’s drop-dead gorgeous! Tenfold better than Eric!”

“Oh, wow. Diana seems to regret what she’s done.” I tell myself. “Ugh, as usual, she sees a shiny new toy and she immediately goes after it. Classic Diana. And his name is not just Archie, but Archibald.”

It’s obvious now that Diana regrets agreeing to let me take her place to marry Archibald Wright after noticing how attractive he is. That is how she is built. Wired with envy all over her system. She wants all the good stuff and I get the spoil. Only this time, the sister who used to always get the spoil gets the good stuff.

Will butts in,” Honey, we did not know. We’ve never seen him either.”

“Besides, he is poor. You wouldn’t want someone poor. Right?” Nora stated. “His father only wants his bastard to marry, so he’s out of his hair. Look at the state of this place. If not for my creativity, this would be a disaster.”

“That is true. We only agreed because we needed to be in their good graces. They have the money and we need it. It’s a win-win.” Will added.

I snorted and mumbled, “Yeah, for you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Hmm? I didn’t say anything.” I denied, feigning a smile.

Of course, I know why they desired to have direct connections with the Rothschilds. I am not stupid, and I wasn't born yesterday to put two and two together. Will’s gambling problems got out of hand. The Rothschilds owned the casino where he owed them a huge sum of money. Eventually, I found out that the money they promised me for Aspen's medical treatment would come from them. As bitter as it may sound, I am their payment for the money they owe, and they get an extra million more. Hence, the ‘win-win’.

“Hi.” Archie appeared again, startling me from my reverie. “Sorry about that.”

Nora instructs Eric, who returns from his errand, to take Diana inside. Then she proceeds to talk about how she and her husband managed to prepare everything in such a short period of time. Assuming that Archie would put in a good word to his father. But he’s not interested.

“You’re Primrose, right?” He tilts his head in my direction.

I don't answer.

“Sorry,” Nora intervenes, “Yes, her name is Primrose. And I am Nora Smith. Her mother.”

His thick brows meet, forming an unibrow. “Is she deaf and mute?”

“Of course not,” I comment sternly. “My speech and hearing are perfectly fine.”

“Good, I would call off this wedding if they give me a defective wife.”

Wow. I couldn’t believe the strings of misfortune that the universe was giving me. He’s picture-perfect okay, but as soon as he opened his mouth--nothing came good out of it. Archibald Wright is an arrogant man. It doesn’t help that he’s charismatic or sexy.

I don't even buy the idea that he’s poor. When he offered his hand earlier, my expert eye caught a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A. It was recently auctioned in Geneva for a whopping $ 31.19 million. I should know because I work in the retail industry. It’s my job to distinguish luxurious items from faux.

And what Archie Wright was wearing strapped on his right wrist is definitely not a dupe. He had the attitude and the impatience of a constipated child who was born with a silver spoon lodged in between his teeth.

“Again, I apologize for being late. Something came up.”

Nora giggled, “Yes, yes. Of course. I assume with work?”

My mother was not even trying to hide her sarcasm. I eyed her, hoping she would take the hint. My disappointment is obvious, and I don't care if Archie sees that. I am sad that Nora is the woman who raised me. A lot has changed since. Nora and Will now treat people based on how much money they make a year or by the amount of money they have in their bank accounts. And for me, it’s just pathetic.

“Yes. Work.” His answer was curt.

Archie continued to study me. I can feel his eyes, roving like hands. Assessing me like I was a specimen under a microscope. It made me feel uncomfortable, but I am confident in my own skin. I know I look stunning even in my simple wedding outfit. My wavy blonde hair that reaches the small of my back framed my small face. I did my own make-up, and it's barely there, very minimal. Standing at 5’7, I have legs that go for days according to Eric and my workmates. At 28 and with a toddler, I try to work out religiously whenever I could and that gave me the curves that most women could only attain when going under the knife. My best asset is my eyes. Hazel green and dreamy.

He nods, looking satisfied with what he sees. “I like what I see...” He stares at me once again. “Very well, let’s get this over and done with. I will see you at the altar.”

“What was that?!” I trembled with indignation. “God! This is going to be a long day!”