Ex-Husband's Regret

I spot Rowan the moment we get inside. Just like his brother, he was in a black suit. We get at the front of the chapel just as the priest walks in.

"Hello, Harper," Rowan greeted politely, with a welcoming smile.

I'm totally shocked. He was completely transformed-nothing like the Rowan I remember. Before, he always looked cold and distant, like he had a chip on his shoulder, which he did back then. Now, though, he looked warm. It's like the darkness that once plagued him no longer exists.

"H-Hi" I stammered.

I wonder if he managed to get back with his ex-girlfriend. After all, everyone knew that he changed after he lost her and was forced to marry Ava. Yeah, that was probably it. He hated Ava, so this change was likely because of her sister, Emma.

"Let's begin, shall we?" The priest interrupted, and the three of us nodded.

I stand next to Gabriel, while Rowan stands behind us.

I tune out the preacher when he starts some sort of sermon. I don't have anything against churches, but I think Gabriel should have just agreed to do this at a court house. It seems much easier.

I don't know how much time had passed when I finally heard the preacher say it was now time to marry us. I breathed a sigh of relief that we were almost done.

"It's time for you to say your own vows to each other," he informed us, his eyes shifting from me to Gabriel.

Clearing my thought, I speak. "Let's skip that part."

There was no way I was going to do this twice. I remember when we first got married, I'd written a beautiful and heartfelt vow because I loved Gabriel so much. I read it to him only to have him scoff and sneer at me as if I were nothing but a disgusting parasite. I was so embarrassed because the other couples behind us heard him, and so did the minister.

He then cut me off and told me that he had no use for such useless words from a foolish little girl. That had been the first indication that our marriage wasn't something he'd wanted.

The priests cleared his throat, pulling me from those painful thoughts. He turned to Gabriel, as if seeking his permission. When he silently agreed, the priest proceeded.

"Do you Harper Beckett take Gabriel Wood as your lawfully wedded husband..." before he could continue, I replied.

"I do"

The priest glared at me, but I just

smiled at him. There was no need to

prolong it. We've done this once before and it meant nothing to the man standing beside me. In fact, he broke every single promise he had made, so as you can see, it was now pointless.

"And do you,

Gabriel Wood, take

Harper Beckett as your lawfully

wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do," Gabriel answered in a low, deep tone.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

I internally scoffed at that. It's yet to be seen if he'll be able to keep his vows this time around. Honestly, I don't have a lot of faith in him, but we will see.

Gabriel takes my left hand and slides a very expensive-looking ring on my ring finger. just stare at the ring, not sure what to do. I didn't think about rings, so I didn't get him one. And besides, when we married the last

tim

he'd thrown the ring I gave him the moment we stepped out of the small church.

Remembering that, I simply assumed that he wouldn't want a ring, and since he didn't give one back then, I didn't think he would this time around.

"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife," the priest smiled. "You may now kiss..."

I cut him off again "We'll skip that part too."

He sends me a glare so harsh that if it were a weapon, I would be six feet under.

"Fine!" he grumbled. "You're now married... Happy?"

"Not by a long shot," I replied sweetly.

We signed the marriage certificate, making it official.

I was once again Mrs. Gabriel Wood and something told me that this new journey was going to be a hell of a ride.