THE PLEASURE IN YOUR PAIN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ROCHELLE

THREE MONTHS LATER

“No! We specifically ordered twelve red and pink roses!” I hissed into the phone, voice tight with frustration.

“No! Not lilies! Roses. Red. Pink. Do you hear me?” My heartbeat sped up as I paced the room. “This was ordered a month ago! How can you be out of roses?!”

I cut the call with a frustrated groan.

“Bride-to-be is turning Bridezilla,” Ethan teased from behind me, his breath warm against my neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Ethan... hi,” I sighed, leaning back into his hold, the tension easing just a little.

“How’re you holding up?” he murmured against my hair, his voice low and gentle.

Before I could answer, my phone rang again.

“Sorry, I have to take this,” I mumbled, slipping out of Ethan’s arms and answering.

“Hello... Yeah, no, no—no! The cake is supposed to be delivered Tuesday. Tomorrow!” My voice cracked with stress.

“No, not Wednesday! I don’t care if you have your own delivery—this is my wedding! Priorities, damn it!” I nearly screamed, making heads whip toward me. Ethan stifled a laugh behind me.

“Someone will pick up the cake. You good-for-nothing…” I snarled before cutting the call.

“Bridezilla mode engaged,” Ethan whispered, rubbing my back soothingly.

“Will you do me a favor? Please pick up the cake for me?” My voice cracked on the last word.

“Of course, Ginger. Anything for you.” He kissed the side of my neck, and I felt my heart skip.

Just then, Josephine came running up, breathless.

“Abigail needs you upstairs—dress emergency! You have to come now!”

“I was overseeing the decorators—” I started, but she yanked my arm, pulling me toward the stairs.

“Rochelle?” a deep voice called out. I froze, turning to see Theodore, Kieran’s father, standing there, eyes steady and warm.

“Uncle, we need to get her styled!” Josephine whined, but Theodore shook his head with a small smile.

“It’s alright, I’ll come after I’m done here,” I promised, trying to soothe the brewing tension. Josephine stomped away, mumbling about no one taking her seriously.

I stepped toward Theodore’s office, heart beating wildly for reasons I couldn’t explain.

He motioned me inside, eyes serious but kind.

“I wanted to give you this,” he said softly, revealing a lush green velvet box.

“It’s a family heirloom—passed down from my wife. She made me promise to give it to whoever Kieran would marry, but only if it was for love.”

His voice cracked just a bit, and I could see the weight of memories in his eyes.

“I don’t force my son’s choices. But he has a habit of making the wrong ones.” A faint, sad smile tugged at his lips.

“But with you…” He looked up, his gaze intense, almost reverent. “You’re the first right choice he’s made. Ms. Sutherland.”

My breath caught. I was speechless—frozen in a wave of something I hadn’t expected.

Tears pricked at my eyes, and my chest tightened with a strange ache—warmth, belonging, fear, and hope all tangled inside.

I’m not just Becky’s sister anymore. I’m part of this family. People I can lean on, who see me.

He held out the velvet box, his fingers brushing mine lightly—electric.

I opened it slowly. Inside, nestled on black velvet, lay a ring with the deepest, richest emerald-green diamond I’ve ever seen—alive, shimmering.

I’d never seen something so beautiful.

And yet, the feeling swelling in my chest was more precious than any jewel.

“I can’t accept this,” I whispered, barely audible, voice trembling.

“It belonged to your wife,” I explained, eyes locked on his voice growing firmer. “I can’t take away her memory.”

He shook his head gently, taking my hand in his. His touch was steady, grounding.

“This isn’t just a ring. It’s a promise. You’re part of this family now.”

He slid the ring onto my middle finger—warm, deliberate.

I felt an electric pulse shoot through me, my breath hitching as his fingers lingered, holding my hand like it was the most precious thing he’d ever touched.

He smiled then, eyes crinkling with age and kindness, and in that moment, I felt seen—truly seen—for the first time in a long time.

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“Holy BANANAS!” Josephine gasped, her eyes wide as saucers.

“What?” I asked, heart pounding, panic rising.

“He gave you the emerald ring!” Alice and Emily chimed in, nodding.

“Oh,” I breathed, staring down at the ring shimmering on my finger.

“It’s official...” Abigail smiled, holding up my wedding dress with a knowing smirk.

“...You’re a De La Vega now.”

I was a De La Vega.

I’M A DE LA VEGA NOW.

The words echoed in my head, surreal and intoxicating.

I smiled to myself—nervous, hopeful, and maybe… just a little proud.

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