Chapter 119

During the ceremony, Layla focused on the handsome flower arrangement on the table while listening carefully to the words. She would have preferred a church service but would not have dreamt of telling Lucas that.

He slid a ring onto her finger, but he had not given her one to return the favour with and there was a small embarrassing pause as the registrar allowed them time to complete what was usually an exchange of rings. Clearly, Lucas wouldn’t be wearing a ring, announcing to the world that he was "taken," Layla reflected ruefully, wondering why that small detail should make her feel so insecure. She reminded herself that many men didn’t like wearing rings.

A light meal was served to the wedding party at an exclusive hotel. Layla glimpsed her reflection in one of the many gilded wall mirrors in the private function room and barely recognized the refined image of the woman clad in the sleek bronze sheath.

At the beauty salon the previous day, every part of her had been primped and