Replacing You At The Altar

The first time Gwen Sinclair cheated, she dragged her lover into the foyer of our penthouse, her eyes rimmed with a manic sort of red.

Do what you want with him, shed challenged, her voice trembling not with guilt, but with a terrifying kind of adrenaline.

Because I loved her with a desperation that bordered on the pathetic, I chose to believe it was a momentary lapse in judgment. I forgave the unforgivable.

The second time, I took matters into my own hands. I bought the man off, sent him to a different continent, and made it clear that if he ever touched American soil again, hed find out exactly how much power the Wilder name carried.

Then came the night of our engagement gala.

Gwen didnt come to me with an apology this time. She came with a blade. She pinned me against the mahogany desk in my study, her hand tightening around my throat, the cold tip of a stiletto knife pressing into the soft skin of my lower abdomen.

Where is Samuel? she hissed, her breath smelling of expensive scotch and ruin. Hes the father of my child, Bennett. Didnt you know?

The room felt like it was tilting on its axis.

It was my fault, she continued, her voice breaking. I couldn't control my feelings. If you want to be a monster, be one to me. Samuel is innocent. He doesnt deserve your vendettas. Please... Im begging you. Just let the baby be born safely, and I promise, Ill never see him again.

She leaned in closer, her eyes searching mine for a mercy I no longer possessed. You lost the ability to have children after the accident, didnt you? Lets just keep this one. We can raise him together. Hell only ever know you as his father. Thats my vow to you.

The knife punctured my skin. A sharp, stinging heat blossomed across my stomach, followed by the wet warmth of blood soaking into my silk shirt.

I looked at herreally looked at herand smiled. Then, I told her exactly where Samuel Moore was hiding.

...

The heavy thud of the front door echoing through the house signaled her departure. I fumbled for my phone with shaking fingers, dialing a number Id kept in my contacts like a glass-break emergency kit.

You were right, I whispered into the receiver, my voice thin. Can you still get me out?

On the other end, a woman cursed under her breath. Her tone was a mix of exasperation and pity.

Youre telling me this now? Bennett, Im already at the gate for my flight to London. How am I supposed to help you from across the Atlantic?

Harper, please.

Bennett Wilder, she sighed, her voice softening. Youre the smartest man I know in a boardroom, but youre a goddamn idiot when it comes to that woman. Did you trade all your common sense for a pretty face?

I pressed a hand against the wound on my belly, the pain a dull, rhythmic throb. Im sorry. I owe you. A thirty percent stake in the next development projectis that enough to make it worth your while?

There was a sharp intake of breath. Harper Ross was a shark, and Id just dropped blood in the water.

Send me the time and the location, she said, her professional veneer snapping back into place. Ill be there. And next time you want to screw over your life, make sure Im the one you call first. Im expensive, but Im loyal.

I forwarded the entire wedding plan to Harper. She replied with a simple OK emoji.

The house wed built together, the one intended to be our marital home, was a wreck. Gwen had torn it apart in her rage, a perfect mirror of the state of my soul. I cleaned the wound as best I could, bandaged it with trembling hands, and stumbled out into the night.

I had just checked into a discreet boutique hotel when Gwens name flashed on my screen.

The roar of jet engines in the background was unmistakable, but it couldn't drown out the sharp, defensive edge in her voice.

Ben? Im on a private flight out of the country. I cant be there tonight. Just... get some rest. Im sorry about earlier. I was emotional. I didnt mean to hurt you.

She paused, perhaps waiting for me to comfort her. Is it bad? Should I send a doctor over to the villa?

Dont bother, I said, my voice cold and flat.

Gwens tone instantly hardened. Bennett, dont do this. What happened with Samuel was an accident. I wassomeone drugged my drink, and I thought he was you. Its done now. I have to find him. You expect me to let the father of my child rot in some foreign gutter?

She scoffed. You forgave me once before. Why are you making a scene now? Our wedding is in a week. Just take tonight to calm down.

I stared at my chat history with Harper, a grim sense of finality settling over me.

Dont worry about the week, I said. There isn't going to be a wedding.

Gwen, I added, I told you once. I dont do compromises on loyalty. Not anymore.

I was about to hang up when she exploded.

Not getting married? Are you joking? The gala is over, the papers are signed, the entire East Coast knows the Sinclair and Wilder families are merging! Youre going to threaten the merger over this?

Bennett, we grew up together. You know who I am. I wouldn't have betrayed you if I hadn't been set up!

They say threes a crowd, but Ive only made two mistakes. Once the baby is born, I swear Samuel will never cross your path again. Isnt that enough?

A single tear escaped, hot and bitter, tracking down my cheek. I let out a jagged laugh.

So thats the plan? I spend every day looking at a child that isn't mine, a living, breathing reminder of every time you chose him over me? I cant do it, Gwen. Im sorry.

Fine! she screamed. Remember you said that! Dont you dare regret it when Im gone! Look at any woman in my positionevery CEO has a side piece. I gave you Samuel to deal with as you saw fit. Ive been more than fair. If you can handle it, show up at the altar. If not, then get out. Do whatever the hell you want.

The line went dead.

I looked at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window. I looked broken, pale, and entirely too young for the weight I was carrying.

She had forgotten. Shed forgotten the car crash three years ago. Shed forgotten that the only reason I had a permanent scar on my abdomenand the reason I could never give her a childwas because I had thrown my body over hers when the truck hit us.

Suite 1214. This room used to be our sanctuary. She said it was where our best memories lived. Valentines Day, birthdays, anniversarieswed claimed this space as our own.

But now, I was the only one left who remembered the ghosts.

When my parents called, I knew she had already leaked the news of the "breakup" to them.

Bennett, honey, what is happening? Gwen says youre calling off the wedding? my mother asked, her voice hovering between panic and confusion.

This isn't a game, son, my father added. You cant just walk away from a merger of this scale.

I buried myself under the heavy duvet, my voice thick with unshed tears. Shes pregnant. Its not mine.

There was a heavy silence. Then, my fathers voice came back, lower this time. Every woman makes mistakes, Ben. Just have her take care of it and

Im not calling off the wedding, I interrupted. Im just changing the bride. You remember Harper Ross.

My fathers advice died in his throat. My mother gasped so loud it echoed through the line.

Harper? Bennett, you two are rivals! Shes been trying to sink your firm since prep school. Have you forgotten the time she nearly got you expelled?

I smiled, though it felt more like a baring of teeth. Exactly. Thats why Im marrying her. I want to spend the rest of my life making her miserable. Or maybe shell do the same to me. Either way, itll be honest.

I didnt sleep. The wound in my gut throbbed in time with my heartbeat, a constant, nagging reminder of Gwens "love."

At dawn, I called a broker to list the villa. I didn't want the equity. I just wanted it gone.

When I went back to pack my things, I saw Gwens private jet idling on the lawn. Inside the house, the walls told a story I hadn't been invited to read.

The photos I had carefully framed of us were gone. In their place were snapshots of her and Samuel. The glaciers in Iceland. The Eiffel Tower. The ruins of Notre Dame. Every place we had ever visited, she had taken him there to rewrite our history.

She used to tell me she hated photos. Shed say that as a woman in power, she couldn't afford to have her image used against her by competitors or the press. No matter how much I begged for a single portrait of us together, she refused.

But for Samuel, she was an open book.

I found them standing by the photo wall. Gwen was glowing, her hand resting on her barely-there bump. She looked younger, softer.

Samuel, when the baby is born, well take him to all these places, okay? she whispered. Hes going to love it. Look, he just kicked! Can you feel it?

The sound of the door closing drew their attention.

Samuel didn't act like a tough guy. He immediately dropped to his knees, crawling toward me and grabbing the hem of my coat.

Bennett, please. Its my fault. I broke my promise. I shouldn't have come back, but I love her so much... I swear, once the baby is here, Ill disappear. I wont get in your way...

Before I could speak, Gwen let out a cold, sharp laugh.

Dont apologize to him, Samuel. You were drugged, too. If anyone owes an apology, its me for putting you in this position.

She turned her gaze on me, her eyes like chips of flint.

Bennett, I found out who was behind the drugging. That company will be bankrupt within the month. Samuel is a victim here. You cant blame him for a mistake he was forced into. Im willing to overlook your behavior last night. Just apologize to him, and we can put this behind us.

I looked at her, and for the first time in twenty years, I felt absolutely nothing. No anger. No longing. Just a profound sense of absurdity.

I should apologize? Gwen, have you finally lost your mind?

Suddenly, Samuels grip on my waist tightened, his fingers digging directly into my bandaged wound.

I let out a sharp, choked gasp, cold sweat breaking out across my forehead. The pain was blinding. I shoved him away instinctively.

I didn't use much force, but he tumbled backward, hitting the glass cabinet with a theatrical crash.

What are you doing?!

Gwen lunged at me, shoving me with all her strength. My head slammed into the sharp edge of the doorframe.

The world went white. I felt the warm trickle of blood running down my temple.

I think youre the one whos lost it! Gwen screamed, her voice distorted by rage. He was humbling himself before you, I gave you an explanation, and you still act like a savage?

Apologize. Now. Or youll see exactly what Im capable of.

I gritted my teeth, swallowing the iron taste of blood and the crushing weight of betrayal. Never.

You want me to apologize to your plaything? In your dreams, Gwen.

You ungrateful bastard!

Gwens face was contorted. she helped Samuel into the master bedroom, her touch infinitely tender. When she came back out, she didn't come alone. She summoned the household staff.

Where are the security ties? she demanded. Mr. Wilder is having a breakdown. Let him sit out in the garden and clear his head.

No one lets him up until I say so.

My eyes went wide. Gwen, youre insane! Hes a nobody, and youre doing this to me? In the house I bought?

The house you bought, she whispered, leaning into my space, but Im the one who owns the air inside it.

She didn't look back as the guards dragged me toward the terrace. My boots dragged on the hardwood, leaving a smear of blood from my head wound.

As the heavy glass doors locked behind me, a crack of thunder split the sky. Within seconds, the clouds opened up, a torrential New England downpour drenching me to the bone.

I slumped against the stone balustrade. The wounds on my head and stomach began to burn, then throb, then go numb. My consciousness began to fray at the edges.

I looked at the guard standing under the eaves, his expression one of bored amusement.

Please... I rasped, my voice barely audible over the rain. Tell Gwen... I need a doctor. Please.

The guard gave me a mocking smirk. Save it, kid. Ive seen enough of your types drama. Ms. Sinclair just called her private physician for Mr. Moore. Shes a little busy right now.

I looked up at the second-floor balcony. Two silhouettes moved behind the sheer curtains.

Then, the world went dark.

Through the haze of my fever, I heard shouting.

Shit, hes out! Theres blood everywhere!

Footsteps approached. An umbrella was held over me, blocking the relentless needles of rain.

Gwens voice was like ice water. Are you done playing the martyr?

Anyone would think you were the one being mistreated here, Bennett. You need to learn some humility. This is for your own good.

The footsteps retreated. I heard her and Samuel talking near the door.

Gwen, Samuels voice was a soft, manipulative purr. He doesn't look like hes faking. Is this too much? Hes your fianc. If his family finds out...

Gwens voice was firm. Ive spent years building this empire. I dont answer to the Wilders anymore. He started this. Youre going to be here for the next eight months; I wont have him bullying you. His ego needs to be broken.

I could almost see the smirk on Samuels face. I heard these high-society marriages are just business. Is that how it is with you and Bennett?

The rain continued to lash against my face, cold and unforgiving. For a moment, I thought my heart had simply stopped.

To wear the crown, one must bear the weight, Gwen said, her voice devoid of emotion. Being a Sinclair means marriage is a strategic alliance I cant escape. Since I have no choice, I accepted it. Bennett is handsome, hes predictable, and compared to the other arrogant heirs out there, he was the best option.

Tears mingled with the rainwater, sliding into the dirt.

Gwens voice changed thenit became warm, filled with a genuine affection I hadn't heard in years.