Chapter 17

MELANIE Iwatch my sister curl a lock of my hair between her fingers in the mirror, and we both stare at my reflection. Her green eyes, so similar to mine, twinkle with happiness. “You look so pretty, Mel.” I blow out a breath and glance down at my simple cream dress. “Thanks, Ash.” She takes a sip of her champagne and giggles. “And Nathan is so handsome.” “He is,” I admit. “His brothers too.” She wraps an arm around my waist and rests her head on my shoulder. “Dad would be so proud to walk you down the aisle, you know?” I place my hand over hers and smile at the image of my father in his tux that I conjure in my mind’s eye. I haven’t told my sister about the contract between Nathan and me. As far as she’s concerned, we had a whirlwind romance and couldn’t wait another day to get married. I couldn’t burden her with the knowledge that our family business is in so much trouble. Perhaps I baby her, but I love her so much, and she deserves all the opportunities our father would have wanted