by Leah Leonard
Before anyone could stop her, Sarah picked up the back of her gown and headed off in the opposite direction of the altar.
****
Ghazi had never been more humiliated in his life than when Sarah turned and ran down the aisle in the opposite direction. How dare she! Especially after all he did to accommodate her and make her feel welcomed. She belonged to him now, she promised him and more than that, she carried his unborn child.
But then the truth hit him - she was his only family in the world now, he had no one else. And more than that, for all her faults and challenges between them, he loved her. He needed her now more than ever.
The fact of the matter was that for the first time, he realized he loved her regardless of whether the baby existed or not, but now, that child was the glue that allowed him to drop his stubborn Deniz pride. He apologized to the guests and followed her out of the chapel.
He found her sobbing on the balcony. "Sarah? What happened in there?"
“That woman! She’s here!”
“What woman?”
“How dare you invite her here on our wedding day!”
“What are you talking about?”
Sarah blubbered on and sobbed so hard, Ghazi couldn’t make out a word she was saying.
“Darling, there must be some misunderstanding.”
“You are such a liar! Why did I believe you? I’m a fool!” she sobbed.
Ghazi tried to keep calm and realized yelling would only make matters worse. He knew whatever troubled his soon-to-be bride, it was fixable.
He rubbed her back for a few minutes, which she fortunately allowed him to do, then once she quieted down, he said, “Please explain to me what woman you are speaking of. I swear on my grandfather’s grave, I do not know what you are talking about.”
“That day at the beach house in Bodrum,” Sarah sniffled, then broke in to a fresh wave of tears. Finally she continued. “You were in the shower and that big boobed blonde showed up and took the swimming suits back that you bought for her.”
“Who?” Ghazi asked, still dumbfounded.
“That married woman. The blonde!” Sarah cried.
Ghazi’s head spun trying to figure out who in the world Sarah was speaking about. “Come here, darling.” He put his arm around her shoulder and they walked over to a gate where they could see the gathered crowd, who fortunately were still in their seats. “Show me.”
“Her,” Sarah pointed.
“On the third row?” Ghazi asked.
Sarah nodded and started bawling again.
“Dear God, Sarah! That is my father’s mistress. She is an absolute terror, if you ask me, and she shouldn’t be here. She really has some nerve.”
Sarah stopped and sniffled. “So you mean she was looking for him? Your father? And not you?”
Ghazi nodded. “She is horrible, you’re right about that. She hadn’t heard about my father’s death until the other day. We ought to kick her out. It is thanks to her that my father is dead.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her husband…he found out about the two of them and many people speculate that the mishap he had with his boat wasn’t an accident. The fuel line was cut and it caused an explosion.”
Sarah gasped.
“It was horrible, and honestly if grandfather was alive, that woman would not be here. I hadn’t noticed her until now. I was too busy looking at you.”
Sarah stared at him. “You’re telling the truth?”
“Yes,” he took her hands in his. “I love you.”
“Promise?” she wiped her eyes.
Ghazi fell to his knees, gazed up at her. "I promise Sarah. I want you more than anything I have ever wanted and to be honest, I am not sure I even grasped it myself until I saw you walking down that aisle today. You look so…amazing….so beautiful. I am the luckiest man alive. When I first heard about the baby, I was thrilled, of course, but there was only one thing I wanted. You, Sarah. From the moment we met again in Troy. When I held you, the way you looked at me, the night we danced at the hotel, and then the ride to the beach when you made love to me. I need you, I love you! Come. Marry me now."
TWENTY-SEVEN
Two weeks after their wedding, Sarah and Ghazi lounged on the sand of their private beach near their house in Bodrum.
Sarah gazed into the cocoa eyes of the man she loved and realized how lucky she was to have him and how close she’d come to losing him forever. She should never have doubted him. Ever since she followed him back to the altar and they exchanged vows, Ghazi had proven himself to be completely devoted and loyal to her. She never felt happier.
“How are you feeling my dear?” Ghazi rubbed her shoulder.
"Wonderful," Sarah squeezed his hand. “This is perfect.”
“I know one thing,” Ghazi brushed the side of her cheek with his hand. “You mean everything to me. You and our baby. I never thought I could feel so much or be so…content with anyone.” He caressed her belly, holding their unborn child with a love and tenderness she never thought she would find with anyone.
“You’ve made me the happiest woman alive.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“And to think, this is only the beginning,” Ghazi kissed her passionately.
And for that ,she was grateful. From that moment on, they lived lives of peaceful contentment which would have made the Sultan proud.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leah Leonard is a hopeless romantic
and author of numerous books.
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www.leahleonard.com
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