"Listen up, everyone! We will be starting in just a few minutes." My mother called as she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. We were currently standing in the backyard of Ryan's dad's large estate in upstate New York where the wedding will take place in two days.

As much as I didn't want to be here, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful landscaping. The house, or mansion, sat on ten acres. The grass was well maintained, there were dozens of large willow trees on the property, and colorful mixtures of flowers around the white house. The house sat on a large lake that had a beautiful sunset.

We were currently all standing outside, waiting for instruction on how they wanted us to proceed. Everyone included all those participating in the wedding. Me, Ryan, Danielle, Lanie, Jamie, two of Ryan's college friends, and the best man. Jackson. I've done a pretty good job of avoiding him so far. There were a few times my eyes wandered in his direction, and each time, he was watching me with an odd expression.

I haven't spoken to him since I blocked his number. To be honest, a little part of me hoped he would come by my place or call me from his hotel room to apologize, or just tell me why. But, he didn't do any of those things. It's been complete radio silence. I glanced over to Ryan, who was standing next to me. He was sending longing looks to Danielle who was laughing with Lanie about something.

"How has it been with you guys?" I asked him curiously. After I convinced him to talk to her, she told me they had gotten back together. Even though it hurt me to see them so happy, so in love, I was glad that they had each other.

"It's been great, actually," he said with a smile. "I'm glad I listened to you. She's pretty incredible."

I laughed. "Yeah, but she's a handful. I love her to death, but Ryan, fair warning: she's high maintenance."

"Yeah, I know," he sighed lovingly. Man, he had it bad. "So, have you spoken to Jackson?"

His question surprised me and I glanced at him with wide eyes. "Why would I, after what he did?"

He had an odd exoression on his face when he looked at me. Like there was something he knew and wasn't telling me. Did Jackson do more than just kiss that girl? Did Ryan know that Jackson may have been with other women while he was with me? Before Ryan could answer me, my mom came over to us.

"Ryan, we're starting. I need you to stand by the alter." Ryan glanced at me before doing what my mother told him. She looked back to me and stayed silent. We hadn't spoken since I left her house after getting my job back.

I started to walk away before she stopped me. "Harper, wait." I stopped but didn't turn towards her. "I want to-- Uh, apologize."

"For what?" I asked as I finally turned towards her and crossed my arms over my chest. "For almost costing me my job for your own selfish reasons?"

"Yes," she admitted through clenched teeth. Wow, she couldn't even give me a genuine apology.

"Sure, Mom. You're forgiven, if that makes you feel better." I let out a long breath. "The rehearsal is starting. I need to go find dad."

I left her without another word and headed to where my father was standing. I haven't spoken to my father much since everything happened either. I did find out that he didn't know what my mother did. He was upset about it and he apologized sincerely for it. He admitted he was ashamed that I might have had to quit and was relieved that Ryan was able to find a way for me to stay. Even though I was upset about the other stipulations in the document regarding the merger, which they still didn't know that I had a copy of, I was on better terms with him than my mother.

"Hey, baby girl," he said as I walked up beside him.

"Hey, Daddy," I responded, linking my arm with his. I knew Jackson was standing behind me with Lanie. Since he was the best man and Lanie was my maid of honor, they were walking together. I felt Jackson's eyes on me even though I couldn't see him. I tried to ignore it, but my body didn't. Chills ran down my spine and I cursed under my breath. "Fucking traitor," I mumbled.

"What's that, sweetheart?" My dad asked.

"Nothing," I quickly replied. I could see Ryan waiting at the end of the imaginary isle for me. Apparently, the decorators were going to set everything up tomorrow. They wanted to originally do it tonight, but there was a thunderstorm that was supposed to roll in in a few hours.

"Let's have the bride and her father stand at the end of the line," my mother called.

My father and I did as she asked and we stood behind Jamie and one of Ryan's college friends. My eyes immediately went to Jackson and, since he was facing the altar, I could sneak a peek at him. He was wearing his dress pants and a black dress shirt. I could tell his sleeves were rolled up half way and I unintentionally sucked my lip between my teeth. Damn him. He knew I thought that was sexy as hell. Bastard.

My father and I waited patiently waited while Jackson and Lanie walked down the makeshift isle. They were followed by Danielle and Ryan's friend Tom, then Jaime and Ryan's other friend Joey. It was time for my father and me to make our way down the isle. Once we got to the end, he placed my hand in Ryan's and we faced my mother, who was standing in for the preacher who wasn't here today. My mother went through the whole process of a normal ceremony all the way to the 'I do's'.

"You may now kiss the bride!" She exclaimed and Ryan pulled me in for a kiss. It was a simple kiss. Just our lips meeting. No tongue or emotion. If he and Danielle weren't together, I would have made out with him right here to piss off Jackson. If he even cared enough to get pissed off. After all, he was the one who told me he never got jealous.

We pulled apart just as thunder struck and a few people let out a gasp. "Let's get inside, everyone!" My dad called. "Storm's coming and dinner should be ready soon."

We made our way inside and I took my time, falling behind the group. I didn't notice Jackson until he walked up beside me. "Princess, can we talk?"

"My name is Harper, Jackson; and no, we can't"

He pulled me to a stop and looked at me with a fierce and determined expression. "There are things we need to discuss, Princess."

"This is all just a game to you, isn't it? Well, congratulations. You won, Jackson." I pulled my hand out of his and went inside with the others. There was a part of me who wanted to hear what he a had to say. But when he grabbed my hand, the feel of his skin against mine was too much. I instantly remembered how it felt when he touched every part of my body. I wouldn't be surprised if I threw myself at him, wanting to show him just how much I missed him.

We all sat around the large dinner table and started our five course meal. I was sitting next to Ryan who would occasionally hold my hand. Mainly for the few people here who didn't know that this was fake. When we finally got to the dessert, I excused myself to get some air.

I stepped outside onto the front patio and let out a deep breath. The rain was pounding down and lightning struck nearby. It was actually a beautiful thing to see. This was the first time in the past few weeks I actually felt a sliver of peace. Rainstorms had always been that way for me.

"Anne, can we talk?" Ryan asked as he joined me on the porch.

"Sure," I said, curious what he was going to say. After all, he wasn't the one I was pissed at.

"There's something you don't know," he said as he refused to meet my gaze. I had a horrible pit in my stomach, wondering if my original fears about what Jackson had done were true. "It's about what Jackson did. It was my fault."

That stopped me cold. "What the hell are you talking about? How could that possibly be your fault?"

He closed his eyes tight before he continued, "After we talked, you know I went to see Jackson. Well, I was worried about you because I know how he is and I know his history."

"Okay..." I said, clearly still not getting it. Where was he going with this?

"I broke my promise to you. I told him how you felt."

"WHAT!" I yelled, not caring if anyone heard. "Why the fuck did you do that?"

"Anne, please. I was trying to protect you. I told him that, if he couldn't give you what you wanted, he needed to end it with you. I knew he was going to end up breaking your heart and I was just trying to help."

I had never been more pissed off in my life. "What gave you the right to do that? You aren't even my real fiancée, Ryan. What the fuck were you thinking?" That meant that Ryan got in Jackson's head and convinced him to kiss that girl. To make he hate him so that I wouldn't want to be with him. Ryan didn't answer any of my questions. I could see the shame in his eyes. "How dare you!" I asked in a low, menacing tone. My rage got the best of me and I slapped him right across the face.

After that, I pulled my keys out of my pocket and ran off of the porch. The rain soaked me and I could hear Ryan calling my name as I ran through large yard to my car. I never stopped and acknowledged him. I couldn't even hear whatever else he was saying. Everything he had told me was repeating in my head and I felt like I was having a panic attack.

I needed to get away from here, rainstorm be damned. Now soaking wet, I started my car and drove away from the large mansion.