Chapter 220

William and I walked to the front of the mansion together. We were both still stunned by what we had discovered, and we remained silent until we reached the front door.

“I’m sure you have a lot to think about,” William said. He kissed my cheek, and his voice took on a strange tone. “You’ve been a good friend to me too, Daisy. See you later.”

Watching him climb into the Mustang and leave, I had a strange feeling in my stomach. As I slowly walked into the house, everything began sinking in.

I had always been sure that William was the guy who saved me. It was a shock to know it had been Victor instead.

Even more shocking was it meant the Goddess wanted me to be with Victor. But it was too late. I was going to the prom with William, and Victor was avoiding me.

I went inside and hurried to my room. A few moments later, Diana and I leaped from the balcony and began running toward the field.

As we ran, all the special moments I had with Victor played in my mind. I adored spending time with him. And his kisses set me on fire!

How did I not realize that we were meant to be together?

I made some terrible mistakes. Even after Victor admitted his feelings for me, I chose someone else and hurt him. That’s why he was avoiding me, and I didn’t blame him.

But if by some miracle Victor did still want me, I couldn’t destroy William by dumping him. The situation was a mess, and I had no idea how to fix it.

“Daisy, don’t be so hard on yourself,” Diana said. “You’ve done your best not to hurt either of them. Their attraction to you and the double-mate bond was not of your doing.”

“Oh, Diana, I hurt Victor badly enough that he is avoiding me. Why didn’t I sense he was my true mate? And now I must be with William, or I’ll hurt him too. I don’t want to be the cause of any more heartache.

I wanted to howl from the pain I was feeling. “William deserves better than a girl who will always want him to be someone else.”

“Stay calm and don’t despair, Daisy,” Diana said. “Things have a way of working out for the best. Sometimes, the road to our destiny isn’t the straightest or smoothest path.”

“I don’t know what to do,” I said.

“You are going to enjoy a run,” Diana said. “Then, you should call Amy and tell her what happened. After that, you need a warm bath and a good night's sleep. You’re going to your prom tomorrow.”

“Then let’s run,” I agreed, and we began to race across the field. After running off some of my chaotic emotions, we returned to my bedroom, and I called Amy.

She took a break from washing dishes and talked for a few minutes.

“Wow, the guy who took you to the hospital was Victor!” she exclaimed. “I think the Goddess was right. It’s obvious to anyone who has seen you together that you belong with each other.”

“But I can’t hurt William,” I objected.

“Yeah. It’s too late to cancel on him for the prom, but don’t promise him your entire future,” Amy said. “Things could still work out with Victor.”

“I don’t see how,” I said.

“True love always finds a way, Daisy,” she said. “Look what happened to me. Things will work out well for you, too.”

After we hung up, I took a warm bath and collapsed into bed. I dreamed about Victor showing up at my door in a tux and holding a beautiful corsage of roses, daisies, and baby’s breath. I was overjoyed and ran to him.

But then I woke up. As I lay in my bed, wanting to go back to sleep and return to the dream, Jennifer entered the room. She wore a cheerful expression as she wished me a good morning.

“It’s prom day,” she said. “I need to go over your gown to check it for wrinkles. I’ll steam it a bit if there are any and hang it on the taller rack by itself.”

Jennifer looked me over closely. “You’re a bit pale this morning. Would you like me to have your breakfast sent up, Miss?”

I yawned and stretched before sitting up. “No. I’ll go downstairs and eat with my father.”

“I’m afraid he already left this morning,” Jennifer said.

“Where did he go?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” she replied.

It wasn’t like Alex to get up and leave so early. But then, he had been doing things lately that I have never seen him do. It was a sign of how good he felt since starting the new treatment.

“I’ll still go downstairs,” I said and began to get dressed. But I had to stop for a moment when I let out a big yawn.

“Perhaps you should take a nap this afternoon, Miss,” Jennifer suggested. “You don’t want to be tired tonight.”

“That may be a good idea,” I replied. If I thought about Victor as I tried to go to sleep, maybe I would dream about him again. I missed him more each day.

When I got downstairs, Benson had the breakfast room set up with everything from bacon to fruit and yogurt. But eating in the sunny room wasn’t the same without Alex.

“Where did Alex go so early?” I asked Benson.

“He went to the association office for a few hours,” Benson replied as he poured me a large glass of juice. “He said he would return by late afternoon.

I flashed Benson a smile. “He really is feeling much better.”

Benson returned my smile, “Yes. It’s wonderful. He’s getting stronger every day.”

After breakfast, I went for a walk through the gardens. I couldn’t stop thinking about the mistakes I made and how I could fix them.

“Daisy, anything that is meant to be will be,” Diana assured me.

“I hope you’re right, Diana,” I said.

“Set your worries aside for now,” Diana said. “Enjoy your prom with William, and we will worry about the rest of your life tomorrow.”

“You’re right,” I said. “Why ruin the night for William over something that can’t be fixed.”

I went inside to the library and read until lunchtime. After eating a salad and a chicken sandwich, I took a nap until Jennifer gently woke me.

“It’s time to start getting ready, Miss,” she said. “Why don’t you jump into the shower and wash your hair? Then I'll dry and arrange it in a nice updo that will show off the back of your lovely gown.”

By the time Jennifer had my hair and makeup done, and I was dressed in the emerald silk gown, I had to admit I looked incredible.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror while Jennifer fastened the pearl and emerald choker I’d bought at Gisele’s around my neck, and I couldn’t believe the gorgeous young woman in the mirror was me.

“You look breathtaking, Miss,” Jennifer said as she handed me the matching emerald earrings and bracelet.

I put them on and slipped my feet into the matching silk pumps.

“Thanks for all your help,” I told Jennifer before going downstairs.

Alex was waiting at the bottom of the staircase. He extended his hand as slow music began to play nearby.

“May I have your first dance?” he asked.

I nodded and took his hand. We danced around the foyer, laughing over the joy we felt at that moment while Benson snapped photos of us. It was something I would never forget.

When William didn’t show up by the time the song was over, we began to dance to a different tune. But before that one was through, the doorbell rang.

“I believe your date is here, darling,” Alex said.

“Benson can let William in,” I replied. “Let’s finish this dance before I leave.”

But soon, I heard Benson’s voice over the music. “Miss Wilson, your escort to the prom has arrived.”

I turned my head to smile and wave at William, but the sight of someone walking toward me made me freeze as the room spun around me. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

My dream had come true.

He stood at the other end of the foyer, looking fantastic in a black tux and holding a wrist corsage of white roses, purple daisies, and baby’s breath.

“You look stunning, Daisy.” Victor smiled that sexy smile that always took my breath away, and I wanted to throw myself into his arms.