I got into my sleek black Benz, turned on the engine, and pulled out of the driveway without thinking twice.
I just drove. Fast.
The venue wasn't hard to find… she talked about it enough the whole week.
The moment I reached, I parked and stepped out in a rush, running a hand through my hair before buttoning my suit jacket.
Although I wasn't dressed for the occasion, I still tried to look presentable. At least a little.
My Rolex caught the light as I adjusted it, and the tap of my shoes drew attention as I walked in faster than anyone else normally would.
My eyes scanned the hall, searching for her.
One of her cousins spotted me and hurried toward me in surprise.
"Riaan… oh my God… Mira didn't tell us you were coming."
I forced a composed smile, trying to act cool.
"Because… she doesn't know herself. I came to surprise her."
Finally, I spotted Mira near the bride. She was fixing her veil.
"I'll go see Mira first…" I excused myself, sliding out of the way.
I slowed my steps as I got closer.
Then I spotted Noah.
He was trying to click candid pictures of the two of them.
Before I could reach her, he stepped closer, and the three of them leaned in for a selfie.
A little too close.
I cleared my throat, loud enough to disrupt the pose.
Mira turned her head, startled.
"Riaan!"
I forced a smile, pretending I actually came here to surprise her.
"Riaan… what brings you..."
Before she could finish, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer while still keeping a composed face.
"Can't I surprise my wife?"
The excuse came out tougher than I meant it to.
Her expression shifted into confusion, and I regretted acting so possessive instantly.
I loosened my hold and turned towards the bride.
"Congratulations," I said, trying to steady myself.
Noah asked us to pose with the bride, and I followed whatever Mira was doing, matching her pose without thinking.
I leaned closer and whispered,
"A minute… please."
She understood instantly that I needed to talk to her alone.
She excused us, and I helped her down the stage, holding her hand and lifting her gown slightly with the other.
"So… what is it?" she asked with a smile, but it sounded like I had interrupted her.
"You look gorgeous," I said casually before getting to the point.
"I think…"
Someone interrupted us loudly.
My jaw clenched.
Not again.
Who is this now?
Before I could say a word, Mira's face lit up for the newcomer.
I realised she was more excited to greet them than to listen to her own husband.
I stepped back as they hugged, ranting about something I did not bother to understand.
My expressions were more obvious than anything I could have said, and for the first time, I did not even try to hide them.
I wished she'd turn her head… just once… and see what the hell was going on inside me.
But she didn't.
She was too busy in her own world.
I slipped away without another word and walked out to get some air.
I closed my eyes as I stood away from the crowd.
The heaviness returned immediately, tight and suffocating. Something tightened in my stomach like a knot.
A waiter passed by and I grabbed a drink without caring what was inside the glass, gulping it down in one go.
I took a long breath, already planning to leave.
I headed toward the exit when I suddenly heard Mira calling my name from behind.
I heard it.
I did.
But I pretended I did not and quickened my pace.
Am I crazy?
"Riaan…" she called again, her heels clicking louder as she practically ran after me.
I paused, closed my eyes, and swallowed whatever anger was left inside me.
When I turned, she was hurrying toward me, holding her dress up to avoid tripping in those damn high heels.
I rushed forward instinctively, not wanting her to fall.
"Watch out," I said as I held her, even though she was perfectly fine.
She looked up at me with that innocent smile and said, "Where are you going?"
How negligent can you be, Mira?
You didn't even realise your husband is bothered.
"I was leaving," I said, choosing the truth.
"You didn't even eat anything…" she whispered.
"I wasn't supposed to be here, right?"
My tone almost sounded like I was complaining.
"Riaan…" she said softly, as if she understood my complaint a little too well.
"Come on. You never said it even once…"
I let out a small chuckle, my tone dipping into something close to mocking.
"It's not how you think," she defended herself politely.
"Then what is it?"
My reply came out sharper than I intended.
She flinched.
"I was just…" she tried.
I stepped closer.
"Just what, Mira?"
I tilted my head, lowering myself to meet her eyes.
Her innocent eyes locked with mine, and for a second, I saw guilt flicker in them.
I bent down a little more, matching her height so she wouldn't feel cornered or small in front of me.
I wanted her to look at me properly…
to say something back…
to argue if she had to.
"You just thought I was busy?" I asked, almost giving her the excuse myself.
She nodded quietly.
"You decided everything yourself… without asking me even once."
I straightened up.
She looked down, unable to meet my gaze.
"I'm leaving. I'm just tired."
I tried to sound normal, but the small amount of hurt in my eyes betrayed me.
As I turned to walk away, something snapped in her. She reached out and held my sleeve before I could move further.
"I'm sorry."
Riaan, is that what you wanted to hear?
No.
No way.
I turned my head toward her.
I upset her, didn't I?
A soft laugh escaped me as I lowered my head, then turned fully to face her.
I placed my hands on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.
She melted into me instantly.
Something inside me settled too.
When I pulled back, her cheeks were slightly warm.
"We are going home," I said softly.
"Huh?" she breathed out, startled.
I took her handbag from her hand, hanging it over my arm before lifting her with one arm behind her back and the other under her legs.
She was caught completely off guard.
I chuckled at her reaction and started walking toward the parking lot.
She didn't stop me.
She didn't say she wanted to stay.
I was an idiot today, wasn't I?
She cares about me.
She really does.
And that's all that matters.