Between Two Hearts

Chapter 5

Finally, a Dale marries a Perer.April's parents are embracing each other. They are the happiest people here. The way they were happy about it, one would assume they were the ones getting married.

When April finally shows up, she seems shocked that I will actually marry her.

My phone rings and she starts to say something.

I feel my body still as I glance down at the caller ID.

I go out of the way of everyone, including April. She saw that it was Starr phoning, as far as I know.

I inhaled deeply and slipped to say, "Starr."

She yells, "Theo!" from the other end. "These articles: what are they? How in the world does it state that you two are getting married to April? It is untrue. You wouldn't consent to her marriage even if you knew we were mates—especially because she's my best friend."

I comb my hair and say, "Starr, I'm really sorry. I learned about it from the articles only today. There was nothing that my parents told me about it. When I addressed them, I discovered that it was accurate."

"No," in a hushed tone. There's no way. Tell me, please, that you're going to manage to avoid becoming married.

She is unmarryable. April is unmarryable to you.

How did I let her know that I had given my consent to the marriage already? How could I tell her that I wasn't going to back out?

She will never comprehend why I did it. I wouldn't blame her, either. Nobody would wish to watch their best friend, Marty, become their mate. Starr would never understand why I decided to accept this marriage for her, just as she would not comprehend when I put my grandmother's needs ahead of everyone else's.

"I'll come to you," I say to her. "We can talk about this in person."

She insists, "What is there to talk about?" You're not going to wed April. Telling the authors of these articles that they were all lying is something you should do. Theo, it would be beneficial if you performed this. If you don't, I will never forgive you."

"Hello, I stammer, finding it difficult to speak. I attempt to think of anything to say to ease this for us both, but nothing comes to me.

"Don't come here." At me, she yells. "I'd rather not see your face. I won't see you again until you clean up the mess your parents made."

You can't say anything more to her because she ends the call. I have an expressionless expression while I stare at the computer. My reflection is staring back at me. What the f**k am I doing, I swallow?

Before this, my life was already complex. I still recall the day I realised Starr was not just my partner but also one of my brothers. It had torn me to pieces. I tried for days, months, years, f**k, to accept it. I think it's safe to say that none of us were, including me. Every one of us anticipated the day when she would have to select one of the three of us. She wanted the three of us, but we were unable to fulfil her request.

It wasn't my style to share. I was in love with a woman I could never share my life with. Certainly not with my brothers, either.

My grandfather was correct, I knew; by agreeing to marry April, I was making things simpler for everyone.

Since my early years, I have always looked out for my siblings.

I've kept an eye on them. Again, I had to give up a great deal to please them.

Evans and Damon would now have to make the decision.

I apologise, Starr. Firstly, family. It certainly has. It always will in the April.

To prevent myself from losing my composure, I bite my lip. Theo and Starr were going to go crazy about this wedding.

I couldn't comprehend him. Why did he consent to this union? He declared just moments before that Starr was the one woman he would ever marry. Why did he decide to change his opinion so fast? And it was evident to me that he did not approve of it.

that the person who just called him was Starr. I realise that this indicated she had recently learned about the touth. She must have finally received the articles. Michael O

By now, everyone in our school should know. This was going to take the globe by storm. Every student was aware that Theo was Starr's, that the three of them were wild about her, and that Starr and I were great friends.

The town would be talking about this wedding for a very long time. Our faces would be on the covers of several magazines for weeks to come, based on the volume of pieces that have already been released.

My mother says to me, "Would it kill you to smile, sweetheart?" in a whisper. "Mother, look at you. Everyone is staring at you." I try not to roll my eyes. People who are joyful are the only ones who smile. I'm not content.

Additionally, it is simple to fake a smile. Please, at least do that for me." She begs.

I give her a look and then pretend to grin.

"Is that okay now?" I ask, trying to look kind.

"That is lovely," she smiles. You'll have to alter that outfit into an evening gown, so keep your smile intact. In an hour, you and Theo will be taking pictures here."

"I did not walk with an evening gown," I sigh. "In case you didn't know, I had no idea that I would be getting married to anyone.

"That's already taken care of," she says to me. "Your sister and brother are present. For you, they went to pick up the dress. You only need to change into it at this point."

Naturally, I mutter. "You have already thought of everything."

With a smile, she says, "You know I'm always ready. Allow me to show you to Theo's chamber. You will undergo alteration there."

"Theo's room?" Scared, I ask. She took me to his room, but why? There were so many more rooms in their estate that I would gladly swap out. Why had he got to have it?

"Yes," she responds. "You two will share a room once you tie the knot. Since he will be your spouse in the future, there is nothing wrong with giving him space to grow."

I turned to face him since I didn't think he would approve of this. However, I doubt my mother would give me the choice to refuse.

After her, I enter the house. I had never entered his room before, until now. I've always been curious about the experience.

We travelled a considerable distance to get there—ten He had a longer room than I thought.

I held my breath as the deor opened. It had his scent to it. It caught my attention right away. I wanted to lie on the bed with my hands in his shirt, taking deep breaths. "I'll leave you to change." Tells me my mother, pointing to the dress that's lying just next to his clothes.

"And do not delay excessively. Here already are the photographers."

I sighed when she shut the door behind her and I was left alone. I never imagined that I would find myself in Theo Perer's room. His favourite colour, black, was used throughout. Just how I had envisioned it.

I know my mother will be knocking on my door any minute now, so I want to take my time in taking it all in.

Pull my dress down my body after unzipping it and get out of it. All that's left of me is my pants:

I reach over to the bed and grab the silver backiess dress. I hear the doorknob turn. Has mom come back already?

"Mom, I'm not finished—I can't finish my sentence," I say as the door swings open. I'm in too much shock to talk. My mum is not the person standing in front of me.

Nope.

This is Theo.