Three Lies He Told Me

5 A Proposal

Seraphina POV

I swallow the bile that threatens to crawl up my throat as I approach my parents' house for my dress fitting. A dress mind you, I haven't even seen. My mother insisted that Eli be here with me today, so he was dressed appropriately to not embarrass the Ashford name. I signed the paperwork I demanded in Dominick's office before I agreed to come today.

"Mom, do we really need to visit grandpa and grandma? They aren't nice and they always look like they sucked on lemons," he says.

I fight the laugh that threatens to escape my lips. I reach down, wrapping my son in my arms. "I promise we won't be here long, sweet boy. Do you remember I told you there was going to be a big party and grandma wants to make sure you and I fit in with the other guests. We will try on the clothes, and then we can have a mom and Eli day."

"Can we watch Disney movies and eat popcorn," he asks.

Before I can answer him, the door swings opens. Clarice looks exactly as Eli described her and I cough to hide my giggle. "Why are you standing out here? It is rude to keep us waiting," she says.

For Eli's benefit, I apologize. The quicker we get in and out, the better it will be for him. She turns, and we follow her inside the formal living room. My steps falter on the sight in front of me. Lydia and Thomas sitting not ten feet from me with joined hands like a real couple. My fists tighten at my sides. Why the f**k are they here?

"Thomas, when can we watch cartoons again," Eli asks innocently, as he moves to stand in front of Thomas. He is completely unaware of the situation that the a**holes in this room caused. A sinister smile spreads across Lydia's face as she looks at me and then back at my son.

"Didn't your mother tell you? Thomas won't be watching cartoons with you anymore. He is going to be my husband, but don't worry Eli. She is marrying a new man. Maybe you can convince him to waste time watching cartoons with you," she says.

My heart breaks watching the sadness move across my son's face.

"That was unnecessary to say, Lydia," Thomas says through gritted teeth.

"It is necessary to say. He needs to know that you are no longer a potential daddy for him," she says.

"Eli, lets go. We are leaving. You can tell dad that he can figure out how to keep the peace with the Dravens because you don't know how to keep your mouth shut to my son." Clarice rushes over, sensing that I'm not bluffing and tries to placate me.

"Lydia, apologize to your nephew now. That was not appropriate to say to him. Even if Thomas won't be his father. He will be his uncle," she says.

Whatever she sees in Clarice's eyes, she looks back at Eli and offers the most insincere apology I've ever heard. Eli immediately moves back to my side and wraps his arms around my waist.

"Let's go see how Eli's suit and how the dress fits you," Clarice says to me. She motions toward the room next to my father's office that Lydia used as a dressing room when we were growing up.

I immediately lift Eli onto my hip and carry him toward the room. I hear Thomas say my name but ignore him. When I step inside, my breath catches in my throat. I was never allowed in this room, not even to clean. There are racks of designer clothes lining every wall. I swallow the anger at just another way I was treated like the help. My clothes didn't even fill a small closet, let alone a room.

I turn, and my eye catches the stunning white gown that is to be my wedding dress. I set Eli down, and he moves to sit in the corner. After the shock of a few minutes ago, I give him a minute to collect himself while Clarice helps me into the dress. When I move to stand in front of the floor-length mirror, my breath catches in my throat for a completely different reason.

"You look beautiful, Sera," Clarice says.

"Don't lie to her mom. A dress doesn't change how pathetic she is," Lydia says from the doorway.

Eli screams and rushes toward her, giving her a shove. "My mommy is beautiful. You are the ugly one," he screams.

I move to shield him when anger flashes in Lydia's eyes.

"How dare you push me, you little ba**ard," she screeches, and Clarice quickly pushes her out of the room. I hear Clarice's words to Lydia about keeping her mouth shut about the boy until after the wedding, despite her attempt to whisper. I quickly undress and place the dress back on the rack. I pick Eli up and hold him close to my chest.

"It's alright sweet boy. Mama is fine."

"Why did you take the dress off? We need to see if anything needs to be let out. Your sister is thinner than you," she starts to say, but I cut her off.

"We are done. I'll take the suit to make sure it fits Eli and the dress will do. After all, it doesn't really matter what I look like as long as Lydia has the perfect dress, Clarice."

I snatch the bag with the small black suit and stalk toward the front door. I don't stop despite Clarice's pleas for me to come back. I am done with the Ashfords after this wedding.

Kael POV

It's been three days since I left the hospital. Atlas has been restless, especially after no one would tell me what the hell was going on with Lydia. She also hasn't taken any of my calls. My father and Orion have been tight-lipped about everything, which is only pissing me and Atlas off even more. She is supposed to be coming with her parents to discuss things tonight, but I have no idea what the hell we have to discuss. The wedding is in two days. Everything has been arranged.

An hour later, I'm seated in a wheelchair in my living room. I hate the f**king thing, but right now it's necessary. My father is pouring himself two fingers of bourbon. One of my men lead Lydia and her parents in, and I expect her to run to me. Instead, she stands a few feet away between her parents. Atlas is pacing in my mind, making it hard to concentrate. I block him and focus my attention on the woman that is destined to be my wife by the moon goddess.

I open my arms. "Lydia, come here love. You won't hurt me." Something flashes in her eyes almost like disgust, but it's gone as quickly as it came.

"We need to talk, Kael. I've decided I'm not going to marry you," she says.

"What do you mean you aren't going to marry me? We are engaged. Our wedding is in two days. Why the hell are you saying this now?"

"Kael, I do love you, but I can't marry a man that will never walk again. I will be the laughingstock of our social circles. I also can't marry a man that can't have children. I may not be thrilled at the aspect of becoming a mother, but my grandparents Wills have stipulations about heirs. I need to have a husband that can take care of me and produce children. I'm sorry, but I won't change my mind," she says.

Atlas whimpers and my own chest aches. She may not have said the true words of rejection, but I can feel the irrevocable crack that just formed in our bond. She doesn't want me because of the chair and the fact that she thinks I can't have children.

"Tell her we can. Tell her we aren't really hurt," Atlas says.

"Is that what you want? A mate that could cast us aside in our time of need. A mate that obviously cares more about money and status than us?" Atlas whimpers again, but he recedes in my mind, because he knows I'm right.

"Fine, the wedding is canceled," I say, my aura seeping from every pore. My father's hand on my shoulder has me pulling it back before the three of them hit their knees. They look confused, but it doesn't stop them from continuing.

"Actually, Kael, we know that canceling the wedding will have rumors flying, and it could affect both our businesses, so I'd like to propose a solution that can help both families avoid those things," the pr*ck Dominick Ashford says.

"Do you think I give a f**k about what insignificant people say about me or my business. For that matter, I am richer than Midas, so my business will be just fine. This is your selfish, superficial daughter's doing. I hope she suffers for it," he says.

Lydia looks as if I just slapped her.

"Kael, I agree you have every right to be angry, but the board is expecting a marriage," my father says

.

When he says the board he means the f**king council of elders. I take a deep breath trying to push the anger down that is threatening to overwhelm me.

"What are you proposing?"

"My older daughter is willing to take Lydia's place. She is beautiful, kind, and smart. She isn't as refined as Lydia, but she is obedient," he says, and Lydia snickers. Dominick glares at her before he pulls his phone from his pocket. He sounds like he is talking about a f**king a dog.

He cautiously steps closer, handing me the phone. I grip it in my hand, staring down at the woman and small boy. She is beautiful but there is a sadness in her eyes. I shake the thought away. I drop the block and Atlas looks through my eyes. He says nothing which is better than him outright refusing since she isn't our fated mate or even a she-wolf.

"Fine, I will marry her, but it will be a contract only. I will never love her."

Lydia smiles and something twists inside me. Why the hell is she so happy that her sister is being sacrificed and will likely be miserable? Did I really not know the real Lydia at all?

"That's wonderful. She has agreed, but she does have a son, but he won't be any trouble for you. He clings to her," he says.

"That's fine, as I said, it will simply be a contract marriage. The wedding will solidify to the outside world that the union is real. They have no need to know what happens behind closed doors. Now there is one more matter to discuss before the three of you f**k off. The rejection."

They look confused and afraid. Good, they should be.