Chapter 71
Camille POV.
I can't believe it was my wedding day. My name was going to change to Cara Arthur when I married Conan Arthur. My surname was a good fit for me, I must admit. It was nice to be Mrs. Arthur. What was wrong with marrying someone who had been there for you for four years? Throughout his life, he nurtured and provided for my only daughter. He cared about me, loved me, and protected me. I knew Conan would never break my heart; he couldn't do this. I had seen true love in his eyes. I had seen him staring at me the way I was his world. I couldn't even live without him.
I inhaled deeply and stared into the mirror. I was wearing an off-shoulder mermaid gown. It had a sweetheart neckline and sheer panels. The lace continued on the full-length mermaid skirt. It hugged me smoothly, accentuating every curve of my body. I completed my look with diamond studs and a diamond necklace. I made my hair in a loose bun and attached a blusher veil.
"Wow, you look so beautiful, Mum." I turned around when Colette gasped. She was standing near the doorway with a bouquet of white lilies.
"Thanks, honey." I approached her and kneeled. "Are you happy I'm getting married?" I was stupid asking this question to my daughter because she was too small to understand the word marriage.
"It means if you get married to dad you and I will share his last name?"
"Yes." I sighed. At that moment it was harder to make her understand everything so I explained it to her that way.
"Colette Arthur will be sounding cool though." She grinned and hugged me.
"Everyone is waiting downstairs, ma'am," Hailey said while entering the room.
"Yeah." I smiled when Colette handed me a bouquet. "Are you ready?" I asked her and she nodded joyfully, her excitement was undeniable. Standing up I held a bouquet in one hand and grabbed Colette's hand in another, walking out of my
room.
Our wedding ceremony was taking place privately and only a few people were attending, including Scott. I walked downstairs with Colette carefully. The banquet was decorated with white flowers, candles, lamps, and fairytale chandeliers. The whole interior design was eye-striking. The ceiling was decorated with silver chandeliers, and the stairway was decorated with white flowers. The walls were glistering with lamps and candles. The guests were gathered on either side of us. I swallowed hard, my eyes were fixed on my toes as I was walking down the aisle with my daughter. My parents died and my siblings were in different countries so I had to walk with my baby girl. She was the only family.
I could see Conan standing on the altar, fixing his eyes on me. My heart beat faster when I went closer to him. I was nervous about marrying him. For a moment I was thinking of running away from the aisle but then I looked at Colette. She loved Conan and I loved her. I knew I would not be able to love him the same way I used to love Scott but I would prove to be the best wife.
Conan extended his hand in front of me. I placed my sweaty and shaky hand on his. His palm was warm and his scent was welcoming. I stood in front of him, looking into his eyes. When he smiled my nervousness lessened somewhat. Colette didn't leave my side. I loved the way she was standing next to me. She looked adorable in her ball gown with her hair pulled back into a tight bun and adorned with a white lily. When she looked at me her electric blue eyes terrified me. For a moment I felt like I was looking into Scott's eyes. I scanned the hall once again but he was nowhere in sight. He had not come. I knew he would not come.
The minister started praying. I and Conan stood, listening to him silently. When Conan felt my nervousness he reached out to me and squeezed my hand gently and gave me an assuring nod. I nodded at him and sighed deeply. After a while, it was time to take vows.
The minister said, "Groom will repeat after me..."
Conan straightened himself. "I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife. Having invited you to be a part of my life, I declare my love and friendship to you. You're the most beautiful, smartest, and kindest person I have ever met, and I promise to respect you forever. With kindness, unselfishness, and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together."
I licked my lips, breathing heavily as Conan was gripping my hand and kept supporting me. I repeated the vows, "I, take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. Having invited you to be a part..." before I could complete my vows Colette's body collapsed on me and I stumbled at a sudden impact. "Colette!" I screamed out, panicked, and grabbed her body, clumsily.
Conan quickly caught her in his arms and called her out. Fear twisted my gut when she didn't move. Her body was unmoving. Conan patted her cheek gently but she didn't open her eyes.
"Colette!!" I grabbed her, shaking her a little firm but she didn't move. I felt the pit of my stomach fell when I felt her low pulse rate. "Call the doctor immediately!" I ordered Conan and he quickly punched a few numbers on his phone. His breath rasped as he kept running his fingers through his hair. His expression was pale. Suddenly the quiet place becomes noisy. The entire hall broke into a hustle-bustle. I couldn't hold back my tears as I clutched my daughter's body against my chest. "Her body is cold..." I choked, caressing her hair. I patiently waited for Conan for a few minutes but when I didn't get a response from him I stood up and hugged Colette's immovable body and rushed out of the hall. I heard Conan shouting my name and following me. I passed through my guests, my vision was blurry due to tears.
"Camille, stop it!" Conan blocked my way. "She's gonna be fine, okay."
Just a heads up: FindNovel.net is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey!
"How can she be fine when she is not moving!" I screamed into his face angrily.
"We're taking her to the hospital right away." He hurried out and I followed him. I jumped into his car with Colette in my arms and Conan slid behind the wheel. He fumbled with the car key and inserted it into the ignition with his trembling hand and started driving. I knew deep down, he was losing himself but he was not showing me up. He was firm because he wanted to be strong. He wanted to be strong for us. "How was she in the morning?" Conan asked in his thick voice, swallowing hard. "I mean, did she eat something..."
"She was active." I looked at Colette. She was not moving a bit and her eyes were closed.
"Did you remember the doctor said that our baby has..."
"I never thought about it since her birth," I cut him off, giving him a hint I didn't want to talk about it.
In fifteen minutes we arrived at a hospital and admitted Colette. After examining and testing everything the doctor returned in an hour and informed us that our daughter was suffering from leukaemia. It had a 75% chance of killing her and the only solution was a bone-marrow transplant. I immediately tested my blood for transplant but I was incompatible. Conan tested himself but he was also an incapable donor.
"What are we going to do? How do we find a donor?" I looked at my daughter in bed.
"Scott..." Conan said and I shot my eyes at him. "He's her biological father and he's the only capable donor."
"He was demanding Colette when I visited him yesterday. If he donates he'll certainly demand her and I'm not ready to give her away. She's mine and she will always be mine. I won't be sharing her with him." I intertwined my fingers with my daughters.
"Don't be stupid, Cami. You're risking our daughter's life."
"We can find another donor," I suggested to him.
He sighed exasperatedly, totally disagreeing with me. "Didn't you hear what the doctor said? We don't have enough time..." He looked at Colette. "Our daughter does not have enough time. She requires immediate bone-marrow transplant otherwise it will spread her entire body."
A quiet sob escaped my lips as I squeezed Colette's hand. Losing her was like losing everything from my life. She was the only light in my dark world. I just couldn't bear her losing her. I bit into my lips to contain my cry. Conan came behind me and hugged me. He kissed my hairline and squeezed my shoulder. "She'll make it through this. She's stronger, she's our tigress, remember."
I squeezed out the tears from my eyes, nodding slowly.
"If you don't want to, I'll ask Scott for help. He loves his daughter. I have seen the true love and fatherly affection in his eyes for Colette. You don't know but Scott has a Children's Charity Organization. He donates millions of dollars every year. Now from this data, you can guess how much he likes children."
"I know he likes children but..." I swallowed hard, shaking my head. "I can't think of anything but saving my daughter's life. I'll fulfill his every demand even if he asks for Colette's custody. I'll do it, I just want to see her alive. I want nothing more than to see her laughing, crying, and playing."
"We'll make it through, love."
I never thought that would change our lives entirely.
I was not ready for this phase of my life but I was so fucking helpless.
You know how life is unfair to me, and it has always been.