Page 46 of Words Unspoken

“How can she date George?” Max asked in consternation. “Who is George? I thought Ann loved Michael.”

“She does,” Elle said quietly. “But George is there, he is romantic, he says all the right things, he wants a home and a wife and children.”

“Who says Michael doesn’t want all those things?” Max defended his brother.

Elle put Ethan in the highchair and sat down. “Well, he needs to tell Ann that. Before she ends up marrying George. They are engaged.”

“When?” Max demanded.

“She sent a picture text yesterday. I guess he asked her this weekend.”

“Isn’t that a bit fast?” asked Piaget.

“She cannot marry him. It will devastate Michael,” Max pushed his plate away, not hungry anymore.

“We will all just have to be here for him,” Elle said quietly as she fed Ethan.

FenLei heaved a heavy sigh. She knew Michael was not eating well. He had lost some weight too. He was depressed, pining for Missy Ann. FenLei didn’t know how he was going to be when Ann married someone else. Even though Michael was older than her, she actually viewed him as one of her children, taking care of him as she had for the past ten years. She didn’t want to see him hurt. FenLei glared at Max and pointed the spatula at him again. “Come more often. Bug Mr. Michael.”

“I promise, I will,” replied Max.

“Good,” FenLei sniffed and doled out more food.

Chapter Nine

Michael gave a half-hearted smile and offered his arm to yet another person of Max’s and Piaget’s acquaintance. It was a small wedding by high society standards, but it was nice and classy. The country club had done a good job with the décor. Quiet, subtle, expensive looking. He didn’t know the exact cost, but he and Noah had given some money to the day. When Max had tried to protest, Noah had explained that it was non-negotiable. Max had done much for so many, now it was their turn to do something for him and his new bride.

Seating Piaget’s aunt Lucille, he made his way back to the back of the church. Noah and he were ushering people in. Some guy named Adam was waiting with Max, greeting guests. Max had said that Adam had been instrumental in introducing the couple.

He was happy for Max and Piaget.

Michael smiled by rote to the next couple. The woman looked around critically. She had blond hair, and he could see some resemblance to her daughter. The man looked pleasantly surprised and held out his hand, making introductions. Piaget’s parents. Michael nodded, kept his expression pleasant and proceeded to usher them down the aisle. If they thought it odd that he did not introduce himself, they didn’t bother to tell him. He made sure they settled into the preselected seats and gave them a copy of the program. As he made his way to the back of the room, he saw Noah leading Ann and George Stapleton down the aisle to sit on the groom’s side. He recognized George from the series of commercials the man made for his dentist chain. He didn’t like the man on television, and he really didn’t like the man in front of him now.

Ann, however, looked absolutely stunning. She was a vision. It was enough to take his breath away and throw a brick in his gut. She wore a pale blue satin number with flowers on it. She was exquisite. She was not his. Michael dragged his gaze away from her.

He walked out of the room and took a moment for himself outside. He watched the valet park cars and people wander into the building, greeting each other. Christian Gains came up to him. They shook hands.

“Michael. I heard what happened. Right shame,” he turned to his wife. “Dorothy? Remember Michael?”

“Of course, dear,” she smiled at him kindly. “Such a pity.”

He nodded his greetings, wishing they would stop acting like he was something to be pitied. Michael sighed. He was going to have to go back in. It was not like he could avoid his brother’s wedding just because he would rather not see Ann on the arm of another man. Besides, Michael was not getting any peace out here as people came up to greet him, people he could not reply to. Straightening his jacket, he turned but was interrupted as his cousin Dillon came to greet him. Michael had not seen him for some time but was not surprised he had come to the wedding. Despite the age difference, before Dillon got married, he and Max had been up to a number of adventures together.

“Max told me,” a solemn Dillon said. “About the speech thing.”

Michael nodded.

“He also told me that you bought his shares so that he could start the fund for caring for the kids that were affected by Ramesly Pharma is bad drug,” Dillon shook his hand. “I want to thank you for that. A lot of people needed that funding.”

Michael shrugged. He knew that Dillon is girl Shannon had been on the drug. He wanted to ask how she was.

Dillon seemed to know what he wanted to say. “Soon. She will join her mom soon.”

Dillon is wife had died seven years ago. He had suffered through a lot.

“Avery had a sleep over and Caiden had a birthday party. Shannon is resting with the nurse, so I thought I would come for the wedding. I don’t expect to stay for the reception,” explained Dillon. “I like to spend as much time as I can with Shannon.”

Michael nodded. He offered his hand to Dillon again, wishing that things had been different. He was glad though, that Dillon had forgiven him.