Chapter 50: A Small Reminder

Michael’s POV

I could tell from Emerald’s face that she had not expected to see me here.

The surprise was there before she quickly composed herself and gave me a polite nod.

I returned it.

There was something satisfying about catching her off guard. After last night’s conversation, I had a feeling she would spend some time wondering what I meant when I told her I would see her tomorrow.

Now she had her answer.

Just then, Alaric leaned slightly towards me. "I know that woman."

I followed the direction of his gaze. He was looking at the woman sitting beside Emerald.

"Laura Hart," he said. "She’s an actress. She’s signed with one of the smaller agencies."

I looked at him. "You sure you know her?"

"I know most people in the entertainment industry." His answer came with the usual confidence. That was hardly surprising.

Alaric had built an empire around entertainment. Agencies, film production companies, cinemas, media houses and even a radio station were all under his control.

It was the part of the human world he had chosen to dominate, and he had done it so thoroughly that very few people in the industry could move without his influence reaching them.

He shifted his gaze back to Laura. "I didn’t know she and your woman were friends."

I frowned slightly. "Emerald is not my woman."

His lips curved into a grin. He didn’t say anything and simply mouthed, "Yet."

I gave him a warning look and turned my attention back towards the altar. However, Draxen was already pleased with himself.

"He knows."

I ignored him. After a moment, I leaned slightly towards Alaric. "What about the actress you were telling me about? Is she here?"

He shook his head. "No. I haven’t seen her."

I wasn’t pleased with that answer. "Then why did you bring me here?" I asked.

"We may see her at the reception," he said to me.

I sighed quietly. "I hope my time isn’t wasted today."

Alaric smiled. "Even if we don’t find her, your day won’t be wasted." Then I caught his eye glancing towards Emerald. "You can try chatting with your woman."

I gave him another look.

"Or you can sit quietly and watch her," he added.

I narrowed my eyes. He was enjoying himself far too much. But I decided not to give him another response.

My attention returned to the priest, who was speaking to the couple about marriage and the responsibilities that came with it. I listened for a while, although my attention occasionally drifted towards the guests.

A few minutes later, Alaric leaned towards me again. "Darius Hugo seems to be missing from his own favourite granddaughter’s wedding."

I already knew that. He was the second person I tried to spot as soon as I walked into the church.

"Is he sick? Or perhaps he plans to show up at the reception," he finished.

My gaze moved towards Emerald. She was sitting quietly with her friends, facing the altar.

She had not mentioned anything about her grandfather during our conversation last night. Of course, that did not necessarily mean she knew nothing. She had already become more careful about what she told me, and I couldn’t blame her.

"I will have to find out from his other granddaughter," I said.

Alaric nodded.

The ceremony continued. When it was time for the rings, the church became even quieter.

Vera Hugo’s expression softened as her groom slipped the ring onto her finger. By the time she placed his ring on his finger, tears had gathered in her eyes, and she smiled through them.

Alaric watched her for a moment. "Humans are so emotional. Why is she crying over the exchange of metals?"

Then he turned to me. I gave him a dry expression. "Why don’t you go up there and ask her for yourself?"

His face immediately brightened. "Then we will go together." He said, reaching for my hand.

I allowed him to take it for barely a second. I had no intention of physically pulling away and drawing attention to us, so I sent a mild electric pulse through my fingers instead.

Alaric immediately released my hand and moved his gaze to my face. I calmly returned my attention to the altar. But from my peripheral view, I saw him shake his head and rub his palm.

"You could have simply told me no."

I retorted, "You could have simply left my hand alone."

He gave a quiet laugh. Before he could say anything else, the priest turned towards the couple.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The guests smiled. Then came the words everyone had been waiting for.

"You may now kiss the bride."

My gaze drifted towards Emerald. She remained seated, watching the ceremony.

I had noticed her several times throughout the service. She had barely spoken, and whenever she did, it was mostly with her friends, Claire and Laura.

I wondered what was going through her mind.

There was something about watching another woman get married that could easily bring back memories she would rather forget.

Emerald had once expected to marry Kelvin Mercer. Instead, she was forced into what he and Maya had done to her, and he had gone so far as to humiliate her publicly.

I could guess what seeing Vera exchange vows might remind her of. But I wasn’t going to invade her thoughts to find out.

Whatever Emerald was thinking belonged to her.

I took my eyes away from her and looked towards Kelvin and Maya. They were sitting together on the other side.

My expression hardened slightly. Those two had caused her enough trouble already.

Before this day ended, I intended to give them a small reminder that they had crossed the wrong person. Nothing that would disrupt the wedding celebrations.

The priest eventually concluded the ceremony, and the guests rose as Vera Hugo and her husband began walking back down the aisle.

I remained in my seat. Then Draxen’s voice came through my mind. "We need to make her forget that fool."

I looked towards Emerald again.

"We should work hard enough to erase him from her heart."

I didn’t answer him immediately. My eyes remained on her as she stood with Claire and Laura.

Draxen wasn’t wrong about one thing. Kelvin no longer deserved any space in Emerald’s life.

I stood on my feet. There was still a reception ahead of us. Alaric had a shapeshifter to find, and I had a few matters of my own to attend to.

For now, however, I allowed the crowd to move around me as I followed the other guests out of the church.