FALLING FOR MY HUSBAND'S BROTHER

Chapter Three: The Wedding Night

The moment I stepped back into the reception hall, the cheerful atmosphere wrapped around me once again. Laughter echoed from every corner of the room as glasses clinked together in celebration. The soft melody from the live band floated through the air while guests danced happily beneath the sparkling chandeliers, completely unaware that only a few minutes earlier, I had been struggling alone inside the restroom.

I forced myself to breathe normally and pushed everything that had happened out of my mind. It had been nothing more than an unfortunate accident followed by a simple act of kindness. Adrian had only helped me fix my dress. Nothing else had happened, and nothing ever would. There was no reason for me to keep thinking about it. Today belonged to Nathan and me. It was the day we had promised to love each other forever, and I refused to let a meaningless encounter steal even a second of the happiness I had waited so many years to experience.

My eyes searched through the crowd until they finally found Nathan. He was standing with a group of guests, laughing as they congratulated him. Almost as if he had sensed my presence, he turned toward me. The moment our eyes met, a warm smile spread across his face, the kind of smile that had made me fall in love with him years ago.

Relief quietly settled inside me.

This was where I belonged.

Beside my husband.

As I began walking toward him, another familiar figure entered my line of sight.

Adrian.

He was standing only a short distance away, talking to one of the older guests. At that exact moment, he looked in my direction. Our eyes met for the briefest second before he offered me a polite smile.

My heartbeat stumbled.

Without thinking, I looked away and continued walking as though nothing had happened.

Why was I reacting like this?

It wasn't as though he had done anything wrong. He had simply helped me when I couldn't zip my dress. Any decent person would have done the same.

So why couldn't I stop remembering the way he had respectfully looked away to protect my privacy?

Stop it, Clara.

You're reading too much into something so ordinary.

I finally reached Nathan.

"There you are," he said, gently taking both of my hands into his. "I was beginning to worry. You were gone longer than I expected."

A guilty smile touched my lips.

"I'm sorry. The stain took longer to clean than I thought, but it's gone now."

His eyes carefully examined my dress before he smiled with obvious relief.

"Good. I was afraid it had been ruined."

"So was I."

Before I could say another word, he wrapped one arm around my waist and kissed my forehead so tenderly that warmth spread through my entire body.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

My heart softened instantly.

This...

This was the man I loved.

The man I had chosen above everyone else.

The man I had imagined growing old with.

The ring on my finger suddenly felt reassuring instead of heavy. Whatever strange emotions had unsettled me a few minutes ago no longer mattered. I had married the love of my life.

That was all I needed to remember.

A few moments later, the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage and tapped the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced with excitement, "it's time for our newlyweds' first dance!"

Thunderous applause filled the reception hall.

Nathan turned toward me and extended his hand with a playful smile.

"May I have this dance, Mrs. Clara?"

A laugh escaped my lips.

"You may."

He guided me toward the center of the dance floor as the lights dimmed around us. Soft music began to play, filling the room with a romantic atmosphere. Nathan placed one hand gently on my waist while I rested mine on his shoulder. Slowly, we began moving together, swaying to the rhythm while our family and friends watched with smiles on their faces.

For those few minutes...

Everything felt perfect.

Exactly the way I had dreamed my wedding day would be.

Then Nathan's phone vibrated.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

I felt him tense slightly.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his eyes falling to the screen.

"It's alright," I replied with a smile.

"I need to answer this. It seems important."

I nodded.

"I'll wait for you."

He squeezed my hand before walking away.

I watched him disappear through the crowd until he was completely out of sight.

Minutes passed.

Then more minutes.

The music changed.

Guests continued laughing and dancing.

Still...

Nathan didn't return.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

It wasn't fear.

Not yet.

Just a quiet disappointment.

Today was our wedding day.

Was there really a business matter important enough to pull him away from me tonight?

Before I could think any further, my phone suddenly rang.

Nathan.

I answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"I'm sorry, Carter," his voice came through the speaker, sounding rushed. "An urgent business contract came up unexpectedly. I have to leave immediately."

My smile slowly disappeared.

"Leave... now?"

"I know it's our wedding night, and I'm really sorry, but I don't have a choice."

I lowered my eyes.

No matter how hard I tried to understand, I couldn't hide the disappointment building inside me.

"I've already spoken to Adrian," he continued. "He'll take you home safely. I probably won't be back until very late."

My fingers tightened around my phone.

Adrian?

Of all people...

The one person I had been trying not to think about.

The one person I had hoped I wouldn't have to face again today.

A bitter smile touched my lips.

How ironic.

Only a few minutes ago I had convinced myself our paths wouldn't cross again.

Now we would be driving home together.

On my wedding night.

"...Alright," I whispered quietly.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

The call ended.

I stared at the dark screen for several seconds before lowering my hand.

Why did this day suddenly feel so different from the fairytale I had imagined?

"Mrs. Clara."

A deep voice spoke behind me.

My heartbeat instantly quickened.

I already knew who it was before I even turned around.

Slowly, I faced him.

Adrian stood there with one hand inside his pocket, his expression calm as always.

"Nathan asked me to take you home," he said gently.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

I forced myself to smile politely, pretending my heart wasn't beating much faster than it should have been.

Little did I know...

The drive home with Adrian would become the first step toward a future neither of us saw coming.