Resisting Her (Moving On Duology Book 2)

by Catherine Edward

  I was glad Arianna and Brian stuck around me after everyone I knew ditched me. They were the last two people I expected to visit me after everything I had done to them. If they hoped to repay my betrayal with their kindness, it worked. It hurt every time they showed me the kindness I didn’t deserve. But deep down I knew they meant well. I also realized I needed them too. Not them, anymore. Just her, my sister. I cut ties with Brian.

  “Come on, let’s go in.”

  I looked at the entrance, hoping for the familiar Sedan to roll in. I hopped out of the car. My insides were a nervous wreck when I walked in with him. I had no one with me here in the chapel. No one to hold my hand and telling me it will be okay.

  Pausing at the entrance, I looked at the entrance again. “Can we wait for five more minutes? Please...”

  Deep brown eyes regarded me for a moment before he nodded. “Do you want me to call her?” His voice was gentle and I could tell he didn’t expect anyone to show up.

  “No.” I looked at the entrance. Well, I wasn’t sure of myself. When I invited Arianna, she had said she’ll be there. She’d asked about the dress and a few other things. When I said it would be simple with no festivities, she hadn’t said anything else.

  Seven years had passed and I liked to believe we made progress. We occasionally spend our weekends together. Sometimes with her family. Maybe she’s running late.

  I bit into my lower lip, holding their tremble. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. What did I expect? It seemed it was just the two of us from here. Curtis’ parents were long dead and he had a little number of friends, no one he wanted for the wedding.

  With a last glance at the entrance, I sighed after five minutes. She should’ve been here sooner. Since she didn’t show up—

  “She’s not answering,” Curtis said and I noticed he’d been trying to reach her. “I called thrice.”

  I averted my gaze from his face because I couldn’t stand his apologetic glance; I swallowed the sob that wanted out. “Okay, let’s go.”

  I took two steps toward the altar and then heard it. With a galloping heart, I whipped around and almost cried in relief when she exited the car, running toward the chapel.

  “I’m sorry I’m late.” She panted.

  Behind her, Orlando exited the car with my nephew and nieces, twins just like us. Two more cars rolled in. Mike and Rosalinda exited the vehicle with their families. As they walked in, I could only gape at them as no words formed in my throat.

  “Are you ready?” I heard Orlando asking my fiancé, who gave him a nod. The relief on his face was evident. “Come on, then, you should be at the altar, waiting for your bride.”

  The kids ran after the men and I recognized Skylar, Mike’s wife, her four-year-old son perched on her hip. Such a cute replica of Mike.

  “Here, I brought you a bouquet.” Arianna handed me fresh flowers and looped her hand around my elbow. My favorite flowers. “Ready?”

  She looked beautiful. While the guilt of deception still clung to my insides, her innocence glowed outward for everyone to see. Her eyes shone brighter with her truthfulness.

  “You remembered my favorite flowers.”

  “Of course, I did. Did you think I’d let you walk alone?”

  I couldn’t answer that. I gave her a faint nod as the wedding march started. Something that wasn’t arranged before. My eyes grew wide as the women walked before us, Arianna and me walking side by side. She was walking me down the aisle. Tears broke free and streamed down my cheeks. There was no stopping them now. Then my eyes locked with Curtis’ waiting form, accompanied by his best man, Orlando.

  Oh, God! This was something I never expected. Choking on a sob, I took slow steps toward the altar, feeling my sister squeeze my arm in assurance. The ceremony was a blur and before we knew; we were whisked off to a private venue, decorated to my liking. Not to the local restaurant where I had booked two tables for a simple wedding feast.

  Arianna just winked in response to my questioning glance and pushed me toward Curtis. “This is your day,” she whispered before being whisked off by Orlando.

  The wedding reception kicked off with just the four families now dancing and chatting around. This day had turned into something I had never thought of and I realized it was everything I could have ever wanted.

  We hadn’t hired a photographer. It was something we couldn’t afford. Curtis had offered to take pics on his phone and for me, that was enough and oddly satisfying. Now as I saw the photographer flitting around, it took every ounce of my strength not to cry, then and there.

  Arianna continued to surprise me. But then, that was just the way she was. My sister. Warmth rushed to my chest. She’d go to any extent to see her close ones happy. And this meant she’d forgiven me, though those words were never spoken aloud. She cared. The final remnants of loneliness washed away as I put on a smile, finally accepting the facts as it was.

  “I love your smile,” Curtis said, wrapping his hands around my waist from behind. “This is such a nice surprise.”

  Surprise indeed. “That’s Arianna for you.” My smile grew brighter. “Shall we?”

  “Of course.” As we moved on to the dance floor, I knew I had made the right decision this time. Curtis was the one for me.

  When it was time for the father-daughter dance, Arianna stepped onto the dance floor with me. Something heavy settled in my chest then. She didn’t have her dance because of me. She’d never have it with our dad because I ruined it.

  “I’m sorry,” I blurted.

  Arianna blinked. “You’ve apologized enough.”

  “You never had your dance with our dad.”

  She shrugged. “I had my father-daughter dance with a man I love and respect more than our dad.” Her gaze flicked to Mike and I guessed it must be him. “Uncle Frisby walked me down the aisle.”

  “Oh.” I was in rehab when she had her big wedding at the Cortez estate. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

  She smiled, then looked at her children. “I wanted to put our past behind us and move on. I don’t like what you did, but by doing so you saved me from our parents and Brian. I taught myself to look at the positive side of the things and it made it much easier for me to handle.” Her smile was warm and genuine. “I found Orlando. And I like to think if it wasn’t for the things that happened, I wouldn’t have found a loving family like Mike’s or Orlando’s.” She laughed. “I might have just stayed home and wasted away my life in boring parties and business gatherings.”

  I understood. If we hadn’t pushed her away, then she might have just been like me. A socialite robot.

  “Besides, I want my children to get to know their aunt. I will never repeat the mistakes of our parents,” she continued.

  “Thank you.” The moisture was back in my eyes as I looked at her. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”

  She shrugged. I embraced the comfortable silence that followed as our bodies swayed to the soft music in the background, realizing we never danced together.

  My life hadn’t turned out the way I wanted it to, but I liked these new changes. I loved Curtis and I looked forward to starting fresh with my sister, to spend more time with her and get to know her. To be the way normal sisters would have. To love and support her.

  I might have failed her before, but now I knew I would never turn my back on her. Ever.

  In the distance, Orlando clinked the glass, raising it. “To the bride and the groom. Here’s to our new start.”

  Fireworks lit the sky above our heads and the day was everything I could ask for.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you so much for reading Resisting Her. It took a lot of time than expected to get this book out since the release of the Getting Over Him in January 2019. This story is so close to my heart. Because this is so relatable to my personal life, inclusion of fictional twists to keep you entertained while the core remains betrayal and moving on. Check out Getting Over Him, which is written in Arianna’s POV if
you haven’t read it yet.

  Also, if you like reading Paranormal Romance, Lycan’s Blood Queen, my debut paranormal romance is out now. This is the very first story I wrote back in 2016. It went through a lot of rewrites since then and I’m very happy with the end results. I really hope you enjoyed this story. If you liked it, do consider leaving reviews on Amazon, Goodreads or Bookbub. Reviews encourage the authors and help readers to discover new books.

  If you’d like to stay updated on my new releases, giveaways, etc. Do subscribe to my newsletter.

  I’m also active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Also, you can join my Facebook group “Catherine’s Book Café.” I love to hear from my readers.

  See you soon with the sequel The Hybrid Queen. Have questions? Check out my website to read FAQ’s.

  Love,

  Catherine Edward

  About the Author

  Hailing from India, Catherine is an author and law graduate, specializing in Intellectual Property & Copyright Infringement. She is passionate about Lycans, Werewolves, Witches and Vampires and writes sizzling tales of love and betrayal.

  Her love for books started from a very young age, when her loving father would gift her books like Russian Tales woven with fantasy. But it was in late 2015 when she found the books of Paranormal Romance author Cynthia Eden, whose books introduced her to the whole new world of paranormals. The more she read, the more she got enticed and she penned her first novel in 2016. Since then, she has resigned her full-time job as the HR and Operations Manager at a marketing/event management firm to pursue her passion as a writer.

  When she isn’t writing, she likes to travel and read. Music and writing goes hand in hand for this night owl. Her family and furbabies are her world.

  She also loves to chat with her readers and fellow authors. You can find Catherine often chatting on Twitter or on her Facebook page.

  Other books by this author:

  Moving on Duology:

  Getting Over Him

  Resisting Her

  Randolph Duology:

  Lycan’s Blood Queen

  The Hybrid Queen (Upcoming)

  Getting Over Him (Book one in Moving on Duology)

  Falling in love for the first time should be the most amazing feeling in the world. For me, it was the exact opposite.

  See, the guy I fell in love with turned out to be a cheat. The best part, the real doozy? He cheated on me with my very own twin sister.

  The entire debacle left me with enough wounds and knives in my back to last me a lifetime. I was convinced I’d never fall in love again. Ever.

  Until I ran into my past.

  Orlando was my first crush. My friend. But he’s not the Orlando I remember. He’s changed. Now he’s the silent, brooding type. The type I should avoid while nursing a broken heart.

  I know I shouldn’t risk it. I know I should keep my distance.

  But here’s the thing…I can’t.

  More info…

  Lycan’s Blood Queen (Book one in Randolph Duology)

  Aaron George Randolph, ruling King of the Lycans, is hell-bent on revenge for his mother’s brutal death at the hands of Vampires. But when a suspicious student takes up resident on his turf, he can’t help but be drawn to her despite knowing what she is.

  Taken into custody by the ruling family of Brookedge, Mia’s life gets complicated by the whole different world of mythical creatures living among humans. Now she must survive the impending civil war between old rivals, all the while learning about her true self and the power she holds. Torn between the nature of who she is and the overwhelming desire for the Lycan king, her choices are minimal.

  With the war on the rise and a powerful enemy at the head of it, their feelings might have to take a back seat…

  More info…