The Accidental Wife by Sara Islam

Chapter

16

I wasn't just nervous. I was a wreck, but I had to act all composed for the sake

of the family. Uncle Steven decided to throw Rose a birthday party and he invited his small circle which consisted of almost seventy people. The small circle also included Jeffrey, Maggie and Fiona. I hadn't seen them since the wedding and I was happy about that. However, Uncle Steven stressed how importance their attendance was.

Julian and I arrived at 7:00 PM. The moment we walked inside, Rose greeted us and pulled me into a hug. She was wearing the dress I made her. I couldn't believe that she chose my dress to wear to an important event like that. "As I was telling you, my talented daughter in-law made this amazing dress for me, she told a bunch of women to whom she was talking.

"You have done an excellent job, Emily" a curly-haired woman told me, making me smile as 1 thanked her.

"How much do you charge for a dress?" A woman in a black dress asked me.

"Oh, I'm not doing this for business. I only make dresses for myself. Rose is an exception." I said.

"That's a shame. You should start doing this as a business. You'll make a name for yourself in no time," she told me.

*Maybe Julian wants her to always be with him in the company and doesn't want her to do work in designing "I frowned when a woman said that and was about to reply, but suddenly an arm got wrapped around my waist.

to accept my help" He kissed my

is happy. Upon hearing her voice, I tensed, but Julian was quick to reach for my hand and he started to rub small circles around the back of it. I wanted to scream at her that I wasn't a daughter of hers. She

a second, I looked at Julian with my heart thumping in my chest. I was scared that his act might falter upon seeing Fiona, but he

go of me. We never talked about her and Chester dating. I felt

how much I care about her," Julian told her. His tone was different. He wasn't friendly and

for Rose. "We will catch up with you later, but Julian and I need to greet some of his friends." My eyes fell on Fiona, and she had that stup It would probably break her heart to learn that I didn't give a single damn about her or him. I thought I would feel an ounce of pain upon seeing them together, but boy had I been wrong. I felt nothing. The only thing I cared about at that moment was making sure that Julian I pulled Julian away from them and we both headed to a private area. "What's wrong" I asked. When I tried pulling my hand away from his, he gently tightened his grip,

stand your father and stepmother," he mumbled, making

do anything

but they did to you" His answer stunned

learned?" I didn't

basically selling you to my family for your father's company and not to mention what I have been told before." His voice lowered at the last part as

tell

think of Rose, okay! Don't say or do anything that would ruin her night I pleaded. He stayed silent for a couple

tonight" I laughed a little at how random his

if you've told me already, I would like to hear you say it

gorgeous, sunshine." He closed the space between us and gave me a peck on my lips, taking me off guard. I wasn't used to him calling me with any nickname when we were in private and I sure as hell wasn't used to him pecking my lips. "Sorry, have I crossed a line?" He looked apologetic.

I leaned in and pecked his lips to prove to him that I was okay with it.