Dying to Marry Him novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Who Walked Through

"A very large kindness," Gilt said again, and the ballroom went quiet to hear it.

He came around the lectern with his rings held out, and he spoke over my shoulder to the four women behind me.

"Contestant Eight's story cannot run forever, ladies. Nothing does."

"The day it ends, the ring on your finger ends with it. You were tied to her. You go where she goes."

My stomach dropped, because I could not call it a lie.

"But today, before that day, I am prepared to be generous. Say one sentence to the Master, and the ring comes off."

"You walk through my little door, with a hot meal in your hands and your dog at the end of the hall."

He turned his head and looked right at Loretta.

"Mrs. Beck. You could be home for supper."

Loretta stood very straight in her emerald gown, with her glasses on their chain.

"Mr. Gilt," she said. "May I ask you a question?"

"Always."

"Who walked through it?"

His smile held. "I beg your pardon?"

"The door. It's new this season, you said so yourself. You've had thirty years of girls in white dresses. I'd like the name of one who went out of it and got home."

The ballroom stirred.

"The door has only just opened," said Gilt.

"So nobody. That's what I thought." Loretta turned and raised her voice to the pews.

"Anybody in this room ever see a bride come back?"

Silence.

Then the moth stood up on his bench, with his paperback against his chest.

← Chapter 16 · All chapters · Chapter 18 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend