Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 183

The next morning, Tristan predictably overslept. It wasn't until Annabelle pounded on his door that he finally dragged himself out of bed.

"Tristan, the ceremony begins in half an hour! How much did you drink last night?"

Magnus, assuming Tristan had simply indulged a little too much in pre-wedding celebrations, gave him a mild warning. "Missing the scheduled time isn't the end of the world, but don't let anything go wrong at the reception later. And now that you're getting married, it's time to start acting like it."

Tristan managed to get ready in record time. His groomsmen, already waiting outside his house, were growing impatient.

The Lawson family's wedding procession was nothing short of impressive: a fleet of luxury cars lined the street, ready to escort the bride.

Meanwhile, Chloe and another bridesmaid waited with Luna at her apartment. Chloe grumbled under her breath, "What's taking them so long? Is there really traffic on a day like this?"

The other bridesmaid shot her a look, glancing at Luna's calm reflection in the vanity mirror, and made a shushing gesture. "Come on, it's Luna's wedding. Let's keep the complaints to ourselves. Late or not, they'll get here eventually."

They had to. There was no way the groom wouldn't show up for his own bride.

At half past ten, the motorcade finally arrived.

Luna, dressed in an elegant white gown, looked serene. For a moment, her eyes softened, as if she'd finally let herself breathe.

At least he came.

She hadn't realized until now just how small her expectations had become.

"Mr. Lawson, the toll!" one of the bridesmaids called out, grinning. "No gifts, no entry!"

"Fine, fine, take it all—just open the door! We're running late; we have to get to the hotel!" the groomsmen hurried them along.

The whole door game was rushed, every tradition checked off as quickly as possible, more out of obligation than celebration.

Inside the lead car, Tristan managed a sheepish apology.

"Sorry, Luna. I got carried away last night. I just couldn't help it—thinking about marrying you."

"Is that so?" Luna's smile was gentle, but her eyes were cool.

Ever understanding, she replied, "It's all right, Tristan. As long as I'm in your heart, that's enough for me."

Tristan's gaze flickered. He couldn't even say for sure what he felt anymore.

Once, he'd wanted nothing more than to shield his beloved little sister from every hurt, to lay the whole world at her feet… but only as her brother.

Now, with their roles changed, Luna seemed perfectly at ease, while Tristan found himself strangely unsettled.

He turned to the window, unable to meet her eyes, unable to face the hope burning in them.

"Of course you're in my heart, Luna. You always have been."

As a sister, though.

Luna pressed her nails into her palm, leaving little red crescents. She'd never wanted just to be his sister.

—

Tristan's wedding had taken over the entire Golden Age Hotel—a lavish affair by any standard.

Luna's dress sparkled with tiny crystals, her train trailing behind her like something out of a Parisian fairytale. She looked every bit the runaway princess, radiant and pure.

Why would she invite Sunny?

"Luna, you—"

Luna's eyes were clear, her smile impossibly sweet. "Tristan, Sunny is Chloe's sister, and since Chloe's like family to me, Sunny is as well. I even have a gift for her, hoping she'll find her own happiness."

Tristan's reply came out rough. "I see. That's… thoughtful."

Maybe he'd been overthinking things. Still, part of him wondered if Sunny might show up after all. Had she truly moved on?

Annabelle's smile stiffened, her eyes flicking reproachfully to her adopted daughter, but her voice stayed light. "Luna's greatest gift is her kindness. Please, go on inside and make yourselves comfortable. If Sunny arrives, I'll send her right in."

"I wonder when Uncle Stellan's coming?" Chloe mused aloud.

Grace Quinn shot her daughter a sharp look for speaking out of turn.

Magnus paused, then smiled. "Stellan should be along soon—he said he'd be bringing his wife."

The room fell silent, especially Sean, who looked blindsided.

"Mr. Stellan… got married?"

When had that happened? He'd had no idea.

If Stellan was married, hadn't his own daughter just made a fool of him?

Sean's face darkened, tinged with a sickly green. He was already regretting everything.