Chapter 123 A Wedding and Unspoken Resentments

Chapter 123 A Wedding and Unspoken Resentments
Jonathan and Elizabeth organized everything themselves. Every detail had to be to her liking. Jonathan insisted on fulfilling at least this dream of Elizabeth’s, but at one point Jonathan regretted it upon seeing how much the entire wedding would cost him. Elizabeth chose, and he paid for everything.

Even the outfit he would wear would be chosen by her. Elizabeth liked a dark blue shade for him, and she would wear a dress inspired by the character from the story she loved so much. Sometimes it seemed childish, but she said she would only have this once and would do everything exactly as it should be.

Jonathan wasn’t even allowed to see the design of the dress, but he saw how much Elizabeth spent on it.

Jonathan stopped by to talk to Doug before going to work.

“You know you don’t need these sessions anymore, right? You and Elizabeth are doing well… And I feel like you’re different after everything you’ve been through,” Doug said while pouring coffee for Jonathan.

“I know. I come here because I like talking to you. You’re one of the few people I consider a friend who isn’t from my family. I think no one knows as much about Elizabeth and me as you do.”

“You’ve evolved, Jonathan. The way you handled the man who attacked her is a reflection of that,” Doug said.

“You know he’s dead… I would never leave alive a bastard who hurt my wife.”

“I know you’re a criminal, that your whole family is. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to act any differently in this matter. But the old Jonathan would have locked Elizabeth inside the house or would have started monitoring everyone who entered and left that office. You’re not doing that, and it’s great.”

“I feel like it sometimes, but everything is fine for now… Well, I have to go. I still have to work. Elizabeth went by car—remember she has to put gas in it from time to time.”

They laughed at how careless Elizabeth was about that. Jonathan went to work; he couldn’t leave his uncle taking care of everything.

“Has she gone back to work already?” James was with Jonathan at the office. He went there less often now, letting the younger ones handle everything while he spent more time with Lays.

“Yes. She wanted to go back as soon as the bandage came off, but I insisted she stay home a little longer… And it’s good that she’s working. I’m going bankrupt with this wedding. At least while she’s working, she pays for part of what she spends.”

James laughed at Jonathan. He didn’t have that problem with Lays. Besides being very financially responsible, she still controlled his and Anthony’s expenses.

“When is it again?” James asked.

“In two weeks. I’ve already sorted out most things. The only thing left is the hotel. Elizabeth doesn’t know, but we’re going on a honeymoon after the wedding.”

“It’s a great surprise. Where are you going?”

“To Miami. We’ll spend a week at the beach. I’m looking for a chalet, but the idea of an all-inclusive hotel also appeals to me… That way I spend the whole week in bed with her instead of watching her in the kitchen.”

“You talk as if you don’t already live like that… Leave it to me. It will be my gift to you two.”

“Are you still upset about Elizabeth’s choice?”

“It’s her brother. I understand perfectly, and she doesn’t want Katryna in the family.”

Elizabeth had asked Lays to be her maid of honor, and beside her would be Adam as best man. James didn’t say anything, but he felt hurt by her choice. After years of care and consideration, he felt sidelined.

On the day of the wedding, everything was perfect. Jonathan would walk in with his mother. He got ready at her house together with his brother. Elizabeth got ready at home. She had the help of Lays and Jonathan’s sister-in-law. The young Kia had been married to Noah for a few years now. They spent a lot of time in Australia, but on occasions like this, they rushed back to their home in New York to be with the family.

“Lays, Uncle James is upset with me, isn’t he?”

“Darling, today is not the day to think about that…” Lays’ answer was cold. She herself had said she wouldn’t accept the invitation, but James insisted, saying that Elizabeth deserved to do things the way she wanted and that he wouldn’t be the one to put an obstacle in her way.

“You’ll understand me eventually…”

They finished getting ready and went downstairs. Lays and Kia would go with Doug and Paul. James was supposed to pick up Elizabeth.

She got into the car and he smiled at her through the rearview mirror.

“You look beautiful… As beautiful as your mother on her wedding day.”

James spent most of the way in silence. He was still hurt by Elizabeth, but he wouldn’t tell her that.

“Uncle, if I cause a fight today, will you defend me?”

“Are you going to fight with Jonathan on your wedding day?” James asked.

“No! Of course not… But I know one of my decisions will be questioned. I left it to tell today so we wouldn’t spend months fighting.”

“Well, I will always defend you… I will always take care of you. I made that promise to your mother on the day we buried her.”

“Thank you so much. I don’t know what would have become of me without you. My father would have found a way to kill me…”

They arrived at the venue and Jonathan was at the door greeting the guests. Lays asked everyone to take their positions. As soon as Elizabeth’s car stopped, Nathan approached. He got into the car and sat beside her.

“Ready? Can we get this charade over with quickly? I have better things to do…”

“Dad, you don’t want to participate in this, do you? It’s fine… You can go. You don’t even have to stay at the reception if you don’t want to.”

Elizabeth spoke calmly. She didn’t seem upset with her father. In fact, she seemed not to want his presence there.

“Later your husband will come after me. He’ll want to punish me for not being another one of your puppets… Get out of the car. Let’s go!”

“Dad, I’m releasing you from this. Or rather, I’m asking you not to walk me down the aisle. You have my word that Jonathan won’t do anything.”

Nathan was suspicious, but he didn’t want to witness his daughter’s happiness. He got out of the car and sat beside Dave. Some people looked at him, thinking that if that was the father of the bride, he should be walking her down the aisle instead of sitting like any ordinary guest.

As soon as the music chosen by Elizabeth began to play, she appeared, stunning in a grand dress. Nathan felt his blood boil, but it was too late.

“Dad, did you agree to this?” Dave asked beside him.

“She’ll pay for this. Your sister won’t get away with it.”