Chapter 1

Jacob was the first person that Sophie had ever slapped in her life.

She was not a violent person by nature but this was an extreme situation that she found herself in. She could not believe how angry and mad she felt.

'Okay, I'll let you get away with that one; I understand why you might be a little frustrated. But I would be careful doing that again. What is it that they say, "don't shoot the messenger"?'

'A little frustrated! That doesn't begin to cover how I feel right now. You've just handed me a letter from my runaway fiancé on my wedding day, telling me that he is sorry but he can't go through with it.'

Sophie felt like she was suffocating as she pulled at her wedding dress, the dress she had just been admiring only moments ago in the mirror. She wanted to be freed from the gown, and the mess that she now found herself in. She gave no thought, once the dress lay on the ground, that she was now prancing up and down the room in her sexy red underwear with Jacob's dark, penetrating gaze watching her every move.

'Yes, that was a cowardly thing for Ben to do. Had I known what was on his mind, I would have instructed him to end things with you in a more appropriate way a long time ago. And he missed another chance to do the right thing this morning and give you the proper explanation you deserve.'

'He was a coward all right! After all we've been through, and all I've done for him! I can't believe he would have so little respect for me. To leave me at the altar, to explain to all these people who turned up to support us on our big day. What am I to do now?'

'Sophie, let me help you. I'll go down and explain, and tell everyone to leave. Then you can have some space and time to forget about this unfortunate incident.'

'Jacob, go to hell! Don't act as if you're unhappy this has happened. You never wanted to see me married to Ben. It's all just a joke to you. I bet you were really glad when Ben gave you the letter to give to me, so you could come over here to gloat.'

Sophie thought she could see Jacob's face darken with anger, before keeping his composure in check.