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Chapter 2

Aaron

She left.

My wife left me on our wedding day.

I cried—begged her to stay but she wouldn't even look at me.

I stood in the same spot I was in—frozen.

I couldn't believe this shit.

Bella has never done anything like this.

I was so fucking flabbergasted I barely processed what happened.

I'd been so careful with covering my tracks for years.

For all of the damn days for it to come out, it came out today.

This is what happens when everyone isn't in place.

That's why I hate new people—change. Something always manages to get fucked up.

Fuck!

When I finally moved, I picked up a chair and threw it across the room.

I scolded myself for letting my emotions get the best of me.

The noise would bring unwanted attention.

I'm usually more controlled than this.

In my profession, I have to have a poker face. Being easily read isn't an option. I've found that helpful in my personal life too.

I knew at any moment someone would come to see what the crash was—even if it was just the staff.

Think Aaron.

I paced back and forth.

If I hadn't been so greedy—stubborn.

I should have canceled.

Now look…

Bella knows and more than likely will divorce me before the ink has dried good on the marriage certificate.

I was brought out of my rumination when someone cleared their throat.

"Aaron?" Garrett entered the room and looked at the knocked-over table with glass scattered around it, then looked at me. "Is everything okay?"

At least the one guest who came in to be noisy, I liked.

Most of the shitheads in the office I loathe. They can't get any work done because they're too busy with their heads up the managing partner's asses.

Garrett wasn't like some of the others—his noise wasn't brown. He was a damn good attorney that earned the associate position he held.

I shook my head and spoke softly. "No."

"What happened? Is Bella okay?" His eyes quickly darted around the room. "Where is she?

"She left sick with her father."

"Sick?" He looked unconvinced. "She seemed fine to me when I saw her a little while ago."

"Bella mentioned she wasn't feeling well at the beginning of the reception. She thinks it may have been some seafood she ate last night."

"Why didn't you leave with her then?" He probed.

"Garrett," I smirked. "There are important guests out there—judges and some others which you know are key clients to the firm. Just because this is my wedding that doesn't mean I still don't have an important image to uphold." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "Duty calls."

"No." A single raised eyebrow expressed his skepticism. "I understand your loyalty to your colleagues but that's your wife for Christ sake. There's no way in hell I'd put anyone before Irina. Partnership be damned."

"No offense Garrett, but maybe that's why I'm a partner and you're an associate." His brows furrowed deeply. "I'm willing to go the extra mile."

"If sending my wife home sick with someone else is the extra mile then you can keep it. My priorities aren't confused. My family will always come first." He folded his arms across his chest.

I wanted to leave this annoying conversation.

Who was he to question me about Bella's whereabouts?

She didn't leave with just anyone, she left with her father.

"Look." An edge of impatience crept into my tone. "You handle your marriage how you choose to, and I'll do the same with mine. Now, I need to get out there and make an announcement to everyone." I slowly backed away toward the door. "You and Irina are welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities or you can go home—the choice is yours. I'll see you out there." I stated before leaving the room.

The only ones that know the truth are gone. I'm sure Renee left with Charlie and Bella, so no one out there knows what happened.

I'm Aaron fucking Smith. Of course, they'll believe me, right?

I walked down the long corridor until I stood in front of the door that led to our reception. I heard Maroon 5, What Lovers Do, playingjust outside the room. I rubbed the back of my neck glad for the moment of peace.

Moments later I heard an all too familiar laugh as the other door down the hall to our reception room swung open. "Wait a minute." Myles Barnes, one of the managing partners chuckled as he grabbed his wife, Jane's hand.

"Come on sweetheart, if you're coming." She smiled at him. "I want to go outside and walk around in the garden."

I tried to stand still hoping they wouldn't notice me.

"I'm coming, love." Myles kissed Jane on the cheek, as he pulled her closer to his side.

They had been married for thirty-five years but acted as if they were newlyweds. With the clientele he has, he's around beautiful women who constantly proposition him all the time, but he's only had eyes for Jane.

Just as luck had it, they turned in my direction. "Aaron, I've been looking for you and your lovely bride." Myles smiled.

Shit.

"I apologize." I closed the distance between us. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, it's nothing like that. Jane and I will be leaving shortly, and we wanted to personally say goodbye."

Jane curiously looked behind me. "Is Bella with you?"

"No, she's—" a wave of acid welled up from my stomach. "—gone, I mean she left with Chief Swan because she wasn't feeling well."

"Oh my." Jane placed her hand over her heart. "Will she be all right? Was it some type of allergic reaction?"

"She's not allergic to anything that we're aware of but I'm sure she will recover just fine. We believe it was some of the seafood she ate last night." I gave a close-lipped smile. "She had a girl's night out last night."

"That poor dear." Myles slowly shook his head. "I remember when that happened to me some years ago." He turned to Jane. "It was awful, had me in bed for three days. I'm so sorry this happened on your wedding day."

"Yes, I agree, not the best timing." I raked my fingers through my hair. "I was just about to go in and make the announcement. You all are free to stay and enjoy yourselves, we have the room for the next few hours, but I'm going to have to get home to her."

"That's certainly understandable," Jane added.

"All right Aaron, we won't keep you." Myles extended his hand toward me. "I'm sure you would like to let everyone know so you can get to Bella as soon as possible. Thank you again, for inviting us."

"Yes," Jane agreed. "Everything was so lovely."

"I'm glad everything was to your liking." I slightly bowed my head.

"Please send our well wishes to Bella, won't you?" Myles asked.

"Consider it done." I nodded crisply.

"Take care." Jane smiled as they slowly walked away. "Oh—" she paused

"—don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

"I appreciate that, thank you." I waved.

I watched them as they walked down the hall and out the door to the garden.

Two down and one hundred and ninety-eight to go.

I immediately turned and opened the door before anyone else could come out questioning me.

Soft music played in the background as several muffled conversations filled the room.

I quickly scoured the room to confirm Renee had left with Charlie and Bella. When I found no trace of her in the room, I wasn't surprised. Bella is close with both of her parents, especially since she is their only child.

Perfect! Everyone seemed oblivious to what occurred earlier. Now I can play the role of the distraught husband.

I made my way over to the table Bella and I sat at, without any distractions and grabbed a campaign glass and a butter knife.

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt." I paused as the clinking sound from the flute and the silverware began to gain everyone's attention.

I raised my hand and gestured for the band to stop playing as I walked toward the stage. "May I have everyone's attention, please?" I smiled as I looked around the room and waited.

Once the room was completely silent, I began. "I'm sure most of you are unaware but Bella left the reception due to feeling ill." Some gasped, while others murmured. "It's nothing serious, we believe it was from something she could have eaten last night. Her parents took her back to our condo and I hung around to make the announcement." As my eyes perused the crowd they landed on Garrett. He squinted his eyes and shook his head. "Be assured my abrupt leave does not mean you all cannot continue to partake in the delicious cuisine and drinks on us." I raised my glass and chuckled. We have the room for about two more hours. I'm sure our coordinator, Karyn, would be happy to assist you should you have any questions or concerns."

I turned around to the band and signaled for them to start the music again. When I turned to leave, I bumped into one of the last people I wanted to invite, much less wanted to have a conversation with right now.

"Is there something I can help you with, Edward?" I took a deep breath.

"You know Aaron—" he laughed without humor. "—I find it odd as hell how Bella abruptly became sick when she was perfectly fine earlier."

I wanted to blow his arrogant ass off so badly, but I couldn't. His father, Carlisle Cullen, the newest managing partner at our firm, was Edward's father. I had to play nice even though I wanted to punch the fucker in the jaw.

Recently Edward and I were both nominated for managing partners by the heads. I've worked my ass off for years to get what's rightfully mine and would've been an easy shoo-in had the Cullens not joined the firm.

He's been my nemesis from day one. He came in like he owned the damn place and it rubbed me the wrong way.

Clients that would've been passed to me, he got. Some of the associate's cases I would have overseen were passed to him. Frankly, I believe Daddy has had a lot to do with those decisions.

"Look, Edward—" I said through clenched teeth. "—I don't have time—"

He cut me off. "Anyone could have explained that to your guests." He looked down at the glass he held and spun the dark liquid around. "Humph," he smirked. "Good night." Then he walked away.

Spasms of irritation crossed my face.

Who did that pompous little prick think he was?

I've never had to explain myself to anyone and sure as hell wasn't about to start now.

I needed a drink before I left so I walked over to the open bar and requested a whiskey sour. I watched as some of the people began to leave, but some of them lingered in small groups of conversations.

I was so lost in thought about how in the hell I was going to fix this with Bella, that I didn't know someone was standing next to me.

"Seafood?" She looked passed me and waved at someone. "Sick, huh?"

Goddamnitfuckingshit!

My heart hammered against my chest.

Bella's cousin, Althea Swan. No correction, Judge Althea Swan.

The bane of my fucking existence.

She's never liked me and has made things hard for me every opportunity she got—including when I've presented cases in her courtroom.

I absolutely hated going to their family gatherings. The pretentious bitch was at every one of them because Charlie and her father are brothers. She found reasons to denigrate me, and constantly reminded me that Bella settled for me.

I had been so caught up in making sure I made an impression on the managing partners today I forgot she was here.

"Counsel, you want to play games, okay let's play." She arched one eyebrow. "Explain to me how Bella got sick today from seafood she ate last night, and I was with her all day. Furthermore, I helped her get ready for the wedding and had been with her for most of the reception."

I took the handkerchief out of my inside jacket pocket and patted the sweat that dotted across my forehead. "I don't know what to tell you," I shrugged my shoulders. "She told me before the reception started her stomach felt funny and it was probably from what she ate last night."

"You're lying—" she chuckled and cocked her head to the side. "—and we both know you're lying."

The way she glared at me had me feeling like I was on the witness stand and she was the judge and jury that had just sentenced me to eternal damnation.

"What exactly are you accusing me of, Althea?"

"I know you said or did something to her." She countered. "There is no way Bella would have left abruptly without telling me."

"I don't know what you want else you want me to say." I held my palms up in surrender.

"Excuse me, please," the photographer interrupted. "May I please take your picture?"

"You most certainly can." She grinned. "Come on Aaron." She leaned in closer to me and smiled like it was nothing.

"Thank you, sir and madam." The photographer said as he walked away.

"Okay, this has gone on long enough. I need to—"

"You know I have never liked your no-good ass." Althea cut in. "I will find out the whole truth Aaron Smith." She smirked and swayed away.

A/N: Here's the next chapter I promised. I know you all still have some questions, and they will get answered… eventually. LOL As you know this started out as something fun from a picture but seems to have evolved into something else. Let's see where this takes us.

This is not beta'd, so all mistakes are mine.

Please review.