Page 182 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

With a soft laugh, I grabbed some tissue to dab at my eyes. Luckily, my waterproof mascara was top-of-the-line.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded and grabbed his arm before he could walk away.

“I hate that you’re making me do this and I don’t know if I can ever forgive you. But you’ll always be my father and I love you.”

A single tear slid down his cheek. He wiped at it, staring as if trying to understand how it had appeared. I had never seen my father cry before.

Things would never be the same between us after all that he had set into motion. But keeping my pregnancy secret felt like a start, a powerful step toward repairing our fractured relationship.

Chapter

Forty-Seven

KAYLANI

Julian was waiting to take my arm when my father and I stepped out of the bathroom. To anyone watching, he was the adoring fiancé. But the scowl only I could see said otherwise.

I looped my hand through the crook of his elbow, and he immediately placed his other hand over mine. It felt like a bear trap locking me in place. The harshness of his features faded as he turned toward the crowd.

Whether I wanted to or not, I was about to be paraded around the room like a show dog.

White linen covered every table, and tall crystal vases overflowed with deep red roses. The servers buzzed around the room like bees. Candles flickered in hurricane glass, their flames bending in the stiff ocean breeze. The scent of rosemary, grilled citrus, and pretension thickened with each step.

I was adrift in a sea of strangers, but they had to be important. Julian’s family wouldn’t have invited anyone without vast wealth, political influence, or business savvy.

With my newly acquired hypersensitivity to smells, I felt like a superhero with a twitchy stomach. Every scent hit me in layers. Butter and wine. Salt and sand. The heavy sweetness of roses and lilies. Fine herbs mingled with roasting meat.

The live quartet played something slow and elegant, but every note felt strained, as if the musicians were trying to hide the tension in the room. When this many people gathered, grudges were always present.

This felt more like a wedding reception than a simple celebration. I quickly searched the crowd to ensure no priest was hidden among the guests.

Julian never slowed, greeting only those he deemed worthy as he guided us to the head table where his family waited. When we reached our seats, Julian finally loosened his death grip on my hand and lifted his glass of wine.

The music cut off, and the room went quiet.

“Friends,” Julian said smoothly, his voice carrying easily across the crowd. “Thank you for joining us tonight. It means more than you know to see so many familiar faces gathered here in celebration.”

He glanced around and nodded to a few people before continuing.

“Tonight is not only about business partnerships or alliances. It’s about joining two families who carry a legacy of strength, perseverance, and honor.”

His gaze found mine, holding it long enough for the room to notice. He was aiming for deeply in love, but I saw through the performance.

“It is my privilege to formally introduce Kaylani Mikhailov, daughter of Dimitri Mikhailov, as my betrothed.”

A ripple of applause spread through the guests.

“Kaylani has been a breath of fresh air. She is strong, intelligent, and every bit the force you would expect from her bloodline. I consider myself fortunate she has agreed to stand beside me as we build our future together.”

He raised his glass higher, and everyone followed.

“To my beautiful bride-to-be, and to the power we will wield together.”

The room echoed his words.

“To the bride.”