The Things We Lost by Maggie Giles

Author:Maggie Giles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rising Action Publishing Collective

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The music starts and the processional begins as if nothing was delayed and nothing had happened.

The crowd claps and the handsomely dressed groomsmen await our arrival. I see Jayson first, as he’s the tallest and wears the most genuine smile, something he’s always excelled at. Next to him is the subject of my torrid affair and my biggest disgrace, Jack Davenport, who won’t look me in the eye. I’m not sure which is worse, the man who loves me but I’ve wronged, or the man I used for my petty revenge—neither puts me high in sainthood.

The wedding plays out, as it should, with a promise to love one another and simple vows, many of which have already been broken. Then a brief kiss and several tears followed by the signing of the marriage license; my signature will be the one supporting this false marriage for all time.

The party moves into the reception hall. I sit at the table next to Arabella for several hours, pretending to enjoy myself. I stand up and give my carefully practiced speech, and she forces fake tears and kisses me firmly on the cheek. Only I can sense the coldness between us.

The music begins, and Jayson catches me in his arms. Together we dance and when the music picks up, I return to the bar in search of another glass of wine. Through it all, my smile holds steady, and my mind stays focused on the part I have to play.

All the while, I see Declan lurking in the back with a scotch in hand, but I can only think about how I feel. At some point, Arabella ruined my life and I sought to do the same to her. But as she shoves cake into her new husband’s face, I know that I lost this round.

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