The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn Chapter 23

~AUTUMN~

Atticus pushes past me and rushes to get to Anya. I’ve never seen him panic like this before. He’s in a hurry to get to her, and everyone here knows it. He drops to the ground beside her, shouting her name as his brothers had done just a few seconds ago. She doesn’t move, prompting him to move her from the ground. I turn away when he picks her up into his arms and holds her close to his chest. The crowd has gotten loud once more; it’s like a replay of what happened on my engagement night. Only this time, it’s much worse. People already thought they were cheating behind my back; this would only fuel the rumors. It was only going to get worse from now on.

Anya had managed to make both of what was supposed to be my special nights, all about her. I wasn’t sure if today was intentional, however.

They were still mates; it must have shocked her when we kissed in front of her. But it was also possible that she only acted to get Atticus’s attention. After all, she came to my wedding in white, wearing something that could pass for a wedding dress.

I’ve attended multiple weddings in the past, and I’ve never seen anyone do something so petty.

I took a deep breath and faked a smile as guests came forward to congratulate me. I had to remember that Anya and Atticus were connected, no matter how much that bothered me. They will always feel pain when the other is hurt. That was the kind of connection you couldn’t just ignore.

I have to wonder what would happen if I ever found my mate. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone more than I loved Atticus, my husband. It felt weird just thinking about it; I couldn’t imagine having to introduce him as my husband to strangers.

“I’m sorry about her.” Clarissa apologized as she joined my side. “I don’t know why everyone always rushes to her aid when it’s clear she doesn’t deserve their attention.”

“It’s okay,” I assure her. “They are mates, after all. It’s hard to fight their feelings. I don’t want to hold it against either one of them.”

Clarissa sighs, “you’re too nice, Autumn. Too nice. People are going to hurt you if you keep being that way.”

She wasn’t the first person to say this to me. I’ve been this way my entire life; it was hard to imagine myself any other way.

I’m reminded suddenly of the tattoo of Damon’s name I’d seen on her. She didn’t like Anya, and while she must have her reasons, I think her primary reason was because of Damon.

So then, was it true? Had I seen a tattoo of his name on her butt? If that was the case, I felt sorry for her. She wasn’t the only person who liked someone in love with someone else. It just so happened that both men we wanted were involved with the same woman.

“I’m happy Atticus married you.” She confesses. “Anya was making him unhappy, and I don’t think he even realizes it. You are different from her. You can make him happy if he just opened his heart to you.”

Hearing Clarissa say that to me thoroughly warmed my heart. If Atticus didn’t like me, I was at least lucky that most of his family did. They were all kind to me from the beginning. All except Damon and Dante, who barely spoke to me, but I understood why.

Anya must have warned them, or maybe they decided on their own to keep their distance because of her. To them, I would be the reason why she was always sad recently.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your family. I’m also happy that I married into a family like yours. You’re all so kind to me.” I thank her.

Things could have been much worse. My parents could have married me to a family that hated my guts. I had to keep taking a positive look at my life now.

“Your dance with Atticus is up next.” My mom informs me.

We didn’t practice for it, not even once. I hope I didn’t make a fool out of myself. Though from all the things posted about me in the past few days, would that be the worst thing to happen to me? Embarrassing myself while dancing was the least of my problems.

I’m not even sure where Atticus is at this point. All I know is that he’s with Anya. On our wedding day, my husband is too busy taking care of his ex-girlfriend to show up for our dance together. And there was nothing I could do about it.

I’ve imagined what my wedding would be like to Atticus many times in the past. Not once did I picture it to be like this. In my delusional mind, I imagined it to be a small wedding by the beach with only the closest people from our lives attending; we would be deeply in love with a bright future ahead of us. At that time, I didn’t think once there was a chance that we would ever be married in this life; I’d gotten my wish but not in the way I’d always dreamed of it to be.

“Why is Atticus taking so long?” His mother questions. “Sometimes I swear he does things intentionally to give reporters plenty to write about our family.”

It wouldn’t be the Fawns if there weren’t a weekly scandal. There was always something new and exciting happening around them. It just so happened that this time it included me.

“It’s what makes us so popular, mom,” Griffin says as he joins us. “In the meantime, why don’t I get a dance with my beautiful sister-in-law?”

“That will not be necessary,” Atticus says as he finally returns.

“Get her to the dance floor and put a smile on your face.” His father grits out. I can tell that Atticus was going to get an earful tonight.

Atticus takes my hand in his, and his warmth immediately spreads throughout my body.

The lights are suddenly dimmed, and a slow, romantic song begins to play in the background. I’m avoiding looking into Atticus’s eyes; I know I’ll melt the second I do. And I don’t want to do that, not after he left me waiting while he took care of Anya. He didn’t have to rush to her side. His brothers could have taken care of her just as well. So why did he do that on our wedding day?

I’m surprised at my thoughts. I’m usually more understanding than this. I’ve never let my anger get the better of me. What was happening?

My eyes fall on our parents, “they’re telling us to move closer to each other.” Atticus says as he follows my gaze.

Closer? If we got any closer, I would lose all control and do something stupid like try and kiss him.

“Are you okay with that?” He asks as one of his hands slides up my back.

I can barely hear what he’s asking me with the loud pounding in my chest.

mind screams

me to look at him. Our bodies are much closer now, and his body heat is making my body

night. I’m sorry for everything. I’m not trying to hurt you. But when it concerns Anya, I act without thinking. I know it’s probably the last thing a wife wants to hear, but I can’t control it. Whenever she’s in pain, I’m in more. I’m trying my

even harder than seeing it happen in front of me. But I can’t blame him for it. He’s helpless, just like I am. She has his heart, and he has mine. I understood what he felt because I felt

to explain yourself to me. I understand what you’re going through. I would be just as helpless if the man I loved was in

snaps up at my words, “the man

What the hell was wrong with me? Why would I say

says in a strained voice, a tone I’ve never heard him use before. “Is there a man that you’re in love with? Why didn’t you say something before we got married?

I knew something like this would have happened when he brought our bodies closer

I finally say. “I’m not in love with anyone. I was trying to explain that I would act the same way if I had someone I was in love

was the biggest lie I’ve

entirely convinced, but he does seem to loosen

understanding.” He says after

love be so deeply in love with another woman was excruciating. Knowing that woman was willing to destroy your marriage to get him didn’t help either. Atticus could give in to

forget about my feelings. It only came back stronger. Now that I was spending so much

to mine; it’s only then that I notice Anya joining the dance floor with Damon. Shouldn’t she be resting if she’d just fainted? Where is

showed up out of nowhere. She wasn’t backing down. She was fighting

loosens his hold on me, and before the song can even

a moment to clear my head.”

and am surprised when she looks at me as though

Was this a game on who could get a reaction

well out there.” My mother congratulated me. “The videographer must have gotten some good footage of the

also joining in with their partners. I was glad the attention was away from me, at least for

of all the guests going to

ceremony in one of the Fawns’ many private islands. I knew this part of the ceremony was meant to be

on marrying my mate.” She tells me. There is no hiding the sarcasm

I responded, even though I knew she wasn’t

us on the yacht?” Clarissa asks. “I’m not sure if Damon told you, but there is minimal space. You may not be

growls in a

me while speaking, and it makes me wonder if she was implying that Atticus was the one that placed her name

says with a fake smile. “Autumn, you’re a part of our family now; you don’t even

her, “we should have been

that I will be a good friend,

stares at her nails, pretending she isn’t listening to her, “has anyone seen Atticus?” She asks

for him? Maybe he needs me. This marriage has not been

do that.” Clarissa intervenes. “She’s

for him won’t make this easier on him. She will only make things worse. I know him more than anyone else.

joins us once more, and he must have heard

doing just fine. He doesn’t need you as much as you think. I just saw him. He’s organizing Autumn’s bag, packing it in his jeep, getting ready for tonight.”

or telling the truth. I guess I’ll

to add to the list.” He says to

Dante asks as he quirks

and his entire family. Including some of their friends.

“Are there any other guests we should

sir!” Griffin teases

the yacht or

“it’s a tradition that Atticus picks you up in your wedding dress and carries you onto the yacht. We can

reach the island

Spring?

What spring?

me towards the garage

hard to keep up. And it’s not just our families; everyone getting onto the yacht with us is getting into their vehicles and leaving as

waiting for me. He looks so good, leaned up against the door staring down at the ground. He looks up when he hears us, and I

and Griffin was telling the truth; it

heart. He didn’t have to do that, but he was a gentleman. I gasped when he leaned into me and buckled my seatbelt. I can smell him. His perfectly styled hair, the smell of his cologne, and the scent

to lean closer and take a bigger

may not be easy for you,” he

my eyes as he continues to explain, “our traditions aren’t the easiest for couples who aren’t in

it yet. And if I had a say, he would never find out about my feelings for

you two still doing here?”

over to the driver’s side. Clarissa joins us in the

had mentioned earlier? Or was he referring to the tradition Clarissa had told me about a few minutes ago? The one where he would have to pick me up and carry me onto the yacht. That wasn’t something that would

“That was