The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

~CLARA~

"What are you wearing to the dance tonight?" Scarlett asks me as she walks into my room.

Jenna was right behind her. They were both already dressed and looking stunning. I was the only one that hadn't placed a dress on my body yet. However, my hair and make-up were already done.

I had a beautiful red dress picked out for the night to match my bright red lipstick and hot red heels.

"You guys will see it in a few minutes!" I answer them as I rush into the bathroom.

I don't exit the room until I have everything on and am completely dressed for the dance.

It was the academy's annual dance. I was at first not interested in going, but when Scarlett told me that Alaric would be there, I knew that I couldn't miss it. I needed to be there. And I had to wear something to catch his attention again.

Now that I knew he was serious about the divorce and Nicole agreed to divorce him according to my sister, nothing was holding me back anymore.

The second I walked down the stairs, I could hear Jenna whistling while Scarlett clapped excitedly.

"You look amazing!" my sister compliments me as I do a little twirl for them.

"She's right," Jenna confirms. "No one will be able to keep their eyes off you tonight."

I didn't care about anyone else but Alaric; he was the only one I wanted to have mesmerized tonight by how I looked. I did all of this for him and only him.

"Come on!" I tell both of them. "I don't want to be late for the dance!"

"Yet you're the one that took forever to get dressed." Scarlett rolls her eyes.

I ignore her as I race for the limousine.

"In case you haven't realized, Clara, I am pregnant!" Scarlett gasps when she finally gets into the vehicle.

"I know; why is she in such a rush?" Jenna asks even though she already knows the answer to that question. She was only trying to tease me. I think Scarlett also knew what the big deal about this dance was, but she chose not to make any comments about it.

When we finally pulled up to the academy, I could feel the tension in my stomach begin to rise.

"Come on, Clara," I whisper to myself, taking a deep breath as I step into the crowded room. My eyes scanned the sea of faces, searching for the one person I was here for - Alaric Prince.

I was determined to succeed today; one way or another, I would have Alaric's attention.

Alaric was known for rarely looking at anyone else but his wife Nicole. I knew this, and it made my task extremely difficult. However, I had noticed something lately - fleeting glances from Alaric's piercing blue eyes. They weren't directed at me for long, but it was enough to make my heart flutter with hope. Especially now that I knew he would soon be divorced and single.

I took a deep breath and began to weave my way through the crowd, trying to get closer to Alaric. With every step, my heart pounded in my chest, but I continued, feeling a surge of determination. I had to catch his attention, to make him see me as more than just a face in the crowd.

The women were all dressed in beautiful gowns that lit up the ballroom. Almost everyone had a partner to dance with. . . Everyone except me. Even Jenna had a date for the dance tonight. It made me feel lonely. It's not like I hadn't gotten offers, but I turned them all down because I wanted Carter's older brother. I knew it was stupid to want someone I could never have, but I couldn't help it.

As I drew closer to him, I felt my nerves struggle. What if he didn't notice me? What if he had no interest in me at all?

I didn't want to think about that.

The excitement and anticipation in my heart were almost palpable, and I was about to make a move. But then, all of a sudden, my attention was diverted by a figure that stepped in front of him. It was Nicole, his soon-to-be ex-wife, who had also arrived at the dance dressed to kill. It was apparent that she had come here with the sole intention of rekindling their lost romance. She was trying her best to grab his attention, but he seemed oblivious to her efforts.

I bit my lip and turned right back around.

I was tired of her. The closer I tried to get to him, the further apart she pushed us. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I angrily storm over to the drinks section.

"What would you like to have today, beautiful lady?" the server asks me.

"Whatever you have to take the pain away."

He quirks a brow at me before placing a cup in my hand, "have fun."

I don't even think twice before I gulp it down.

I knew that Nicole would make tonight difficult for me. However, I still didn't intend to give up.