The-Wrong-Bride-Ares--Raven’s-story-(Maura,-Catharina)_bibis

Chapter Seven
RAVEN
The heavily guarded gates at the Windsor Mansion swing open as I drive toward it, my license plate
registering automatically. I haven’t been able to get myself out of the funk I’m in, and I’m hoping that
Sierra can distract me.
All I’ve been able to think about all week is Ares. I keep thinking of the way he smiled at me
when he gave me my new tablet, and the happiness I saw in his eyes when he saw how much I loved
it. I hate that he keeps giving me hope without even realizing it. It’s in every thoughtful move, every
moment we share. My thoughts have been tormenting me lately, my mind conjuring images of him in
my parents’ house with Hannah, the two of them reciting their vows, him kissing her in bed in the
bedroom next to mine. My mind is intent on torturing me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
I just want to forget.
I can’t even remember the last time I stayed at home when Ares was there. I run a hand through my
hair and sigh. No, that’s a lie. I can vividly remember the sounds coming from Hannah’s bedroom.
Our rooms are right next to each other, and both of our beds are pressed against the same wall. I heard
them together, all night.
It was years ago, yet I still can’t get myself to stay at my parents’ when I know Ares will be
staying over. I can’t do it.
“Raven, sweetheart,” Grandma Anne says when I walk in.
I smile when she holds her arms out and walk straight into her embrace. “Grandma,” I murmur,
hugging her tightly.
She strokes my back soothingly, and I smile as I breathe in her distinct lavender scent. “Rough
day, huh?”
“Rough week,” I tell her.
“Come on. I’ll have the staff bring out some chocolate cookies that I baked earlier today.”
“Wow,” I murmur. “It’s true love. You love me, don’t you, Grandma? I always knew that I was
secretly your favorite.”
She chuckles as she leads me to her sitting room in the main house. I’d been planning to walk
straight through toward Sierra’s house, but I can’t resist Grandma Anne’s cookies. Grandma’s home is
at the centre of the compound, and it connects directly to each Windsor’s sibling’s house through