A Twist of Fate (The Twisted Trilogy)

by Simpson, Christa

  Cameron held his eyes on me and it shook me like a rumble of thunder to my core. "Don't do it."

  I choked on the air, seemingly empty of oxygen, and struggled with my drink to clear my throat. "I'm sorry?"

  "I don't know how I'm supposed to live without you, Abby. Don't marry Edwin."

  Cameron glanced at the floor, appearing very vulnerable. Then he looked up at me, and it felt like he was calling the shots again. "You have to give us another chance."

  In an instant, the wound that I had so carefully stitched up after we had called it quits, was gaping wide open. I pushed away my plate, and took a deep breath to steady my jitters.

  "You know I gave us a chance, Cam. It didn't work out the way I planned either. We both need to move on already."

  "No."

  I was stunned by his convictions. "It's not healthy, hanging on like this."

  Cameron slid his hand on top of mine and toyed with the ring he found there. "What's not healthy is this thing you're calling a wedding. If you don't want me, fine. But don't settle with Edwin.”

  I wanted to get angry, but all I could feel was sadness. For him. “I’m in love Edwin.”

  “Really? How much do you love him? Enough to give up your dream? I saw the feathery gown you ripped from a wedding magazine, Abby. It didn't look anything like the one I saw Edwin's mother carrying out of the bridal shop. This boring, traditional wedding sounds nothing like the one I imagined for us."

  Outwardly, I scowled at that statement. "The flowers I want don't grow naturally in the fall. The place I picked for the ceremony wasn’t available on such short notice and it’d be too cold outside for the guests anyway. Not everyone's dreams come true. I'm being realistic."

  Silence enveloped us, as I stared blankly at him, unsure what else I could say to him. I could have sliced the atmosphere with a knife.

  "All I'm saying is, why rush it? What's the rush?" Compassion dripped from his every plea.

  I closed my eyes and squeezed them shut. "Cameron, you're so not doing this right now."

  "Actually, I am. Were you hoping that we could go on ignoring each other and forget that anything every happened between us? I can't pretend that you don't exist, Abigail. I tried it. It's not working for me. We were so happy together."

  "You said it,” I whispered. “Were. Past tense." Sadness rushed my throat and tears rushed my eyes, but I refused to let them escape. "You expect me to believe anything’s changed? I still want children of my own. My mind will never change on that subject."

  "But mine has," he stated, profoundly.

  I froze with panic-filled eyes. "Oh, and you just came up with this crazy idea now? The day before my wedding." I was too upset to notice that the other patrons of the café were growing restless and most were starting to stare.

  Cameron leaned forward and whispered privately to me, hinting for me to quiet down. "I've done a lot of thinking since I left the firm. Yes, I want to give you children, and yes Pheobe has been asking for you. I miss you, Abby. We both do."

  A single tear dripped down my cheek. "You're too late," I whispered. "I'm marrying Edwin tomorrow."

  He shook his head no. "Maybe Edwin loves you. Maybe you think you love him too. But know I never stopped loving you." His voice became softer, but it was getting so much more demanding. "I haven’t given up. I will never give up on us."

  "You'll have to," I said, sadly.

  "No. Don't do it, Abby."

  Another tear snuck down my face and I tried to wipe it before he noticed, but his eyes pierced me with desperation. I snatched up my purse, hoping to take off before he realized that it was over for good.

  “I’m sorry. Please tell Pheobe I said hello.” I rushed from my seat and flicked away a tear, but it was useless. I raced to my car, to escape from my feelings, but they beat me there. I crashed into my seat on a whirl of emotions and didn't look back to see if Cameron had followed me, mostly afraid to see that he had.

  Without turning back, I had hurried home, pulled on my favourite pj’s and slipped into bed for some much needed rest. As my eyes slipped shut, the nightmares resumed. It was late, and I was alone, lost in my head full of dreams and darkness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  OPENING MY EYES WAS the first mistake of the day. I blinked them closed again but, despite my terrible mental hangover, I decided that I was still in control of my own destiny. Today was my day.

  When I tried to move to check my alarm clock, a heavy arm pinned me down and I recognized the warmth of a body behind me. Edwin must have skipped the hotel to come home. What a sweetheart.

  I wriggled to get closer to him and he nestled his nose in my hair. His breath was warm on my skin and his lips were soft on my neck. Still mostly sleeping, eyes mostly shut, I rolled over for an early morning kiss.

  Edwin’s lips were just as soft and sweet as I had imagined they would be.

  “Mmm,” he growled, as he woke from his peaceful slumber. He was supposed to spend the night at the hotel, so he didn’t see the bride on his wedding day. The fact that he was here only made me love him that much more.

  I felt like a puzzle, colourful and complete. No more would I be left to my own mind where I talked to dead people and believed that my destiny wasn't in my own hands. It turned out that a twist of fate was exactly what was needed to get me and my heart to this place, where the love of my life stood to give me everything I had ever dreamed of.

  ***

  AUBREY YANKED ON HER sister’s arm. "Come on! No one's supposed to see you." She didn’t believe in all that hocus pocus, but Abby never was one for luck.

  "You don't seriously believe that bull, do you?" Abigail asked, smirking. "Besides, there was only like five cars in the entire church parking lot."

  Again, she didn’t believe that anything would happen. But, yes, there were five cars. She had counted. Because she could've sworn that one looked a lot like Cameron’s. A shimmer of anxiety warmed her cheeks, as she dragged Abigail into the church.

  As they made their way through the back halls, Aubrey heard a commotion echoing in the main service room. Realizing that Abigail hadn't yet heard anything, she shuffled toward the dressing room and raised her voice.

  "Why don't we find out where they're putting you. We can go check out the flowers in a few," Aubrey insisted dramatically, hoping to distract her.

  "Okay," Abigail answered, curious as to why her sister was acting so weird and clueless as to what was unfolding on the other side of that arched doorway.

  Abigail remained oblivious, as Hunter entered the hallway. “Abby. I didn’t realize you were here already.” He checked over his shoulder, to be sure he didn’t have company behind him. “Aliah was looking for you. Why don’t you go see her? She’s down there,” Hunter said, pointing in the opposite direction from where Cameron had just walked off.

  The second Abigail disappeared down the hall, Aubrey whispered to Hunter. "Cameron?"

  Hunter’s eyes looked cold and determined. "Yeah. He asked to see her, but I turned him away. I was probably a bit too hard on him, but I had to get the point across. Abigail’s marrying Edwin today.”

  Aubrey covered her mouth with her hand. Poor Cameron. “What did you say?”

  Hunter checked over his shoulder again, but no one was there. When he turned back to Aubrey, she could see the remorse in his expression. “I told him if Abigail wanted him, he'd be the one in the tux."

  ***

  CALYFA JENKINS SLOWLY APPROACHED the massive, whimsical church. It was mounted on a lush, grassy hillside, overlooking the nearby city. While the hillside was covered with a pristine, green lawn, the city was swallowed in dry, autumn leaves, that buried any sign of growth and clarity. The skies were blue, but the wind was brisk and wisped around the arriving guests, daring the ladies to leave their skirts unattended.

  Cally adjusted the skirt of her short, gold party dress and headed toward the long flight of stairs. More and more guests arrived around her, crossing through the well-r
etained gardens, passing the fanciful fountains and filing into the picturesque church that looked like a castle from a little girl's dream. She always knew one day Edwin would sweep Abby off her feet and put a ring on it. It had certainly taken him long enough.

  Once inside the church, Cally gaped at the romantic flower arrangements that were beautifully arranged on a series of white, custom-made columns. As she approached the gathering of family and friends, she felt less than welcomed by their reception. The majority of women in Edwin's family were glaring at her with envy, as every man in the vicinity stared with fascination. She was used to that and, as usual, held her head high as she moved toward the handsome, young usher.

  He charmed her by extending his arm and flashed her a confident smile. When she grasped onto his elbow, he whispered in her ear. "I don't have to ask. With beauty like yours, you must be here for the bride."

  Cally was all smiles. "Aren't you a sweetheart. I'm Cally, Abby’s cousin. And what do they call you?"

  "I’m Caleb, a friend of Edwin’s. Pleased to meet you."

  "Very pleased to meet you," she said, flashing him a flirtatious smile.

  Caleb continued to grin, as he led her down the long, main isle, passing row upon row of dark-cherry pews. Without another word, Cally released his arm and sashayed to the next pew. She slipped past a few relatives and took a seat, flashing a look back at Caleb, to catch a look at his fine ass as he walked away.

  ***

  MADDIE STARED AROUND THE room that was quickly filling with guests.

  "What's Caleb's problem? He's drooling all over himself," Maddie said to Taylor.

  Taylor glanced across the aisle at the beautiful blonde that had just taken a seat across from them and smirked. "Can you blame him? That girl is gorgeous. I only wish I could be that young and blonde."

  "I'll never look like that ever again,” Maddie whined. “Trust me. Having kids ruins you. Enjoy your bod while you still have one."

  Taylor broke out laughing. "Thanks for the compliment, but my body's been hanging south for years. A baby isn’t the only thing that ruins you. Age can do a number on you too."

  Maddie casually glanced behind her, where a couple of handsome men in expensive suits conversed in the aisle.

  Taylor had noticed them too. "I knew this place would be swarming with gorgeous men." She couldn’t even hide the wide grin on her face, as she took another peek at the handsome fellows. She caught the attention of the one with the shaggy brown hair. He smiled at her and she instantly craned her neck back to its resting place, wide-eyed and speechless.

  Maddie slapped her leg, and bent forward, with a voiceless, open-mouthed laugh. Taylor's reaction to seeing Edwin’s brothers was entertaining to say the least. Yes, the men were fascinating. The majority of the men on the Santora side were. But Maddie only had eyes for Hunter.

  Just then, Maddie saw TJ and Hunter enter through a spectacular arched doorway. Hunter walked to the front of the room, with his hands casually stuffed in his pants pockets.

  “That's my man," she whispered, staring straight ahead at him.

  Edwin’s brother, Payton, walked up the centre aisle and lined up next to Hunter. Maddie watched Hunter stare down the line at his fellow groomsmen. All three of them were suited in matching black tuxedos, with golden silk vests and ties. Maddie was thrilled when Edwin had asked Hunter to be his best man.

  Vera Santora’s smile could have been seen from a mile away. She had been battling with Abigail for months about every little detail and it looked like it had paid off.

  Edwin's oldest brother, Anthony, and youngest, Keelan, stood on either side of Vera in the first pew. Though they weren’t groomsmen, they looked just as stunning in their designer tuxedos.

  "I must say, the groomsmen are looking pretty sharp,” Maddie said to Taylor.

  "They really are, but it's the ladies who I can't wait to see."

  "Shhh, it looks like it's time." Maddie nodded her head toward Edwin, who had now joined Hunter at the head of the main aisle.

  Edwin appeared to be suffering from pre-wedding jitters. His face was red and sweat poured from his forehead, as his eyes swept over the crowd. The churchgoers started to grow quiet, as the clock ticked down the minutes before the ladies would grace them with their presence. Then Maddie caught Edwin covering his mouth to whisper to Hunter.

  The groomsmen stirred, their answering stance being anything but casual. Something was seriously wrong.

  ***

  ASHLEY YANKED ON HER date’s arm, demanding that he keep up. "I will not be late for this wedding because of you," she growled.

  As they ran up the stairs, with only a minute to afford, Ashley noted that no expense had been spared for Abigail’s wedding. Victorian chandeliers were draped from the ceiling, setting the stage for a romantic affair. The stunning architecture of the church and gothic style canopy only added to the fantasy. Even on such short notice, this wedding was the most elaborate event she had attended all year, and that really pissed her off.

  Ashley pulled her handsome date through the old, wooden doors. "You're sure you want to witness this?" she asked, snobbishly.

  "I’ve come this far, haven't I?"

  Natural light flooded through grand arches and when they stepped onto the dark, carpeted aisle, the large cathedral seemed to shrink instantly. All eyes zoomed in on them. On Cameron.

  Ashley kept her smile pasted on her face, knowing that she looked hot in her black rouched dress. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to bring him after all.

  "Whose wedding is this anyways?" Ashley whispered, insinuating that it was worthy of royalty.

  Cameron shrugged his shoulders, knowing that no answer would satisfy her.

  "Lighten up," she snapped, as they shuffled into the last pew. "I don't even know why you came. Why would anyone intentionally put themselves through this?"

  Cameron turned his somber blue eyes on her. "It’s supposed to be me. She has to know that she’s making a mistake. I can't just let Abby walk off into the sunset with Edwin."

  Ashley's eyes grew wide, displaying her anger. "Don't even think about it!" Her voice echoed through the room, her lips left in a sour pucker. And again, all eyes were on them.

  Cameron took his turn, pasting on a fake smile. He nodded his head, apologetically, hoping the guests would forget about them. After the looks dissipated, Ashley turned to Cameron to force her disapproval on him.

  "We did not come here to mess with the ceremony. Don't be stupid." Ashley’s anxiety was causing her to ramble. "I mean, look at Edwin. What woman wouldn't want to marry that? Oh, and you've got a boatload of baggage. It's no wonder Abby didn't want you," she stated, hoping to break his spirit.

  But Ashley's words didn't stop Cameron from quietly voicing his opinion. "The right path isn't always the easiest, Ash. But have you ever known me to take the easy road?"

  "Haven't you ever heard that sometimes it's better to leave it broken, rather than hurt yourself putting the pieces back together? Your relationship is one of those things. Get it through your thick skull. She chose him.”

  When Cameron shook his head in disagreement, she knew her words went in one ear and out the other. Ashley puckered her mouth out of annoyance, and turned away to inspect the bridesmaids who were now congregating at the base of the aisle. She couldn't deny that they looked hot in their champagne-coloured dresses that were cinched above the waist with a black sash.

  Crystals glittered on the strapless tops and light glimmered off the shiny, champagne skirts. They all wore strappy, black sandals, but each wore a different variation of the lacy black flower adorned on them. She leaned forward to get the first look at the bride's dress.

  Abigail looked stunning. Big surprise there. But the real shocker was seeing her wearing the beautiful dress of feathers. Aubrey had said it was on back order, but there Abigail was, working that strapless heap of silk and feathers like she was royalty. A belt, encrusted with crystals, wrapped around her waist in a soft v that dippe
d just below her hips. The flowing snowy silk, and soft flawless feathers, fell delicately down the skirt like they belonged there.

  When Cameron caught a glimpse of the bride, he felt like he was drowning in a living nightmare. Stunning didn't even begin to describe how she looked. Abigail took his breath away. And she looked so happy. But he had been so determined to prove to her that he deserved another chance.

  He tried to stick to his guns, telling himself that she had to agree with him. She had to change her mind. But he knew in his heart that she had already chosen.

  Suddenly feeling enlightened, Cameron lost his nerve. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin her special day.

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  30 minutes earlier.

  THE DRESSING ROOM WAS cool, but Abigail still couldn't catch her breath. She gasped for air as she anxiously prepared for her big day. Aubrey and Aliah had agreed to check on the flowers and give her a minute to herself.

  Her mother and Vera were questioning the wedding planner about the reception hall, while she slipped into the long, silky gown and stood before the free-standing mirror, tilting it up to take a look at herself. The dress was perfect. Vera had secretly ordered it months earlier, having it handmade and flown in from overseas, after having seen the scrapbooking she had done as a child.

  That had to be the most amazing gift that anyone had ever given her. To say that Abigail was surprised would have been a nonsensical understatement.

  Everything had turned out so beautiful and sophisticated, just like she had always imagined. This was the day she had waited her entire life for and everything was exceeding her expectations. Then there was a light knock at the door.

  Her stomach twitched, just slightly, as she bunched her gown into her hand to avoid tripping over the length of the phenomenal train. She paced to the door and opened it a crack to see who it was. Edwin stood there, staring at the floor, clearly panicked.

  "You realize if you're mother sees you with me she's going to have a fit," Abigail said, without letting him in the door.