CHAPTER 72: THE SURPRISE (5)

Nick made his way down to the shore where Veronica was waiting, her face already lit up with excitement. The moment she spotted him, she practically bounced in place. And by the time they reached the cave, her grin had stretched so wide it looked like it might split her face in two.

Vicky was thrilled. The thought of finally meeting the woman who had managed to tame her infamously cold brother had her practically vibrating with anticipation.

Georgia, however, stood stiffly near the cave entrance, wearing a forced smile that betrayed her discomfort. Her cheeks were flushed, and her fingers clutched the strapless white dress tight against her chest, doing her best to prevent it from slipping.

The back ties hadn’t been secured properly—Nick had tried, and failed—and to make matters worse, her skin was painted with deep red kiss marks, vivid reminders of what had happened between them just hours ago.

She wasn’t wearing a bra. She wasn’t even wearing panties. Nick had ripped them in a moment of fevered hunger, and there hadn’t been a spare.

And now here she was, about to meet his sister for the first time, practically naked beneath a delicate white dress.

As soon as Vicky saw her, she squealed and waved enthusiastically, rushing forward.

Nick cleared his throat, throwing Georgia a sideways glance that was half-amused, half-apologetic. "This is my sister, Veronica Knight. She’s the one who picked your dress. You can blame her for it being too small, even though I told her your size."

He winced when Vicky smacked him hard on the arm.

"It is the right size," she huffed. "You just don’t know how to tie a corset properly. It needs adjusting, not replacing."

Georgia watched Nick’s interaction with her sister, witnessing the close relationship they have. ’They must have a good relationship, like David and I, and she is a girl version of Nick!’ she thought while looking at Vicky’s face and short black hair.

Then she turned her full attention to Georgia, eyes sparkling with warmth and mischief. "Hi! Please call me Vicky. That’s what everyone in the family calls me. And oh my God, I am so excited, we’re going to be sisters!"

Before Georgia could say a word, Vicky had already pulled her into a tight hug. Georgia stiffened, the pressure of the embrace nearly causing her dress to slip. She shot Nick a panicked look over Vicky’s shoulder.

Nick raised a brow, confused for a second, until it hit him.

"Hey," he said firmly. "I told you, this isn’t a real wedding. We’re ending it when the deal’s over."

Vicky pulled back just enough to face her brother, crossing her arms and pouting like a child denied dessert. "I know that," she huffed.

"But do you really have to ruin the moment? Fake or not, she’s wearing a dress you gave her, about to sign your name beside hers. Legally or not—she’s my sister-in-law for the time being. So let me enjoy this without your buzzkill energy."

Nick sighed and handed over the oversized bag Vicky had made him lug up the hill. "Here. All your hair and makeup weapons. I’ll be down at the shore."

Both women nodded, and with one last look, one that lingered far too long on Georgia’s exposed shoulders and flushed skin, Nick turned and walked away, leaving the two women alone in the cave. But Vicky had seen how Nick gazed at Georgia, which made her smile.

The air shifted the moment he disappeared.

Vicky clicked her tongue and shook her head as she eyed the artwork that her brother had placed on Georgia’s skin.

She uttered, "Alright, bride-to-be. Let’s fix you up... and cover those scandalous hickeys. I can’t believe Nick carelessly did this, but don’t you worry, I have brought a lot of good products that could cover that just fine."

Georgia groaned, her heart pounding again—but this time, not just from embarrassment.

Vicky’s fingers moved swiftly and confidently as she tightened the strings along the back of Georgia’s dress. In mere moments, the fabric hugged her figure like it had been sewn just for her. When Vicky stepped back, her eyes lit up with giddy triumph.

"My God... I knew it!" she said, practically squealing. "The moment I laid eyes on this dress, I just knew it would look stunning on you. I might sound like a stalker but—I googled you."

Georgia’s brows rose in surprise, but Vicky grinned unapologetically.

"I found your social media. Even Ella’s. I went through everything—just so I could pick the perfect dress for you," she said with a playful wink.

Before Georgia could react, Vicky pulled out her phone, snapped a full-body photo, and turned the screen toward her. "Look! You look like a guardian fairy of this island."

Both women burst out laughing, the tension in Georgia’s body softening with each giggle.

"You’re right... the dress is perfect," Georgia admitted, twirling slightly as the fabric shimmered in the natural cave light.

"Now," Vicky said with a determined smile, "Let’s tame that hair and do that gorgeous face."

From her bottomless bag like Doraemon’s pocket, Vicky retrieved a wireless hairdryer and a round brush, working with the ease of someone who’d done this a thousand times.

The scent of floral setting spray mingled with the humid breeze as she brushed through Georgia’s damp hair.

"Ella seems lovely," Vicky commented as she fluffed a section of curls.

"You met her?" Georgia asked, curious.

"Yup. I saw her at the port where their ship was. She helped coordinate things and made sure everything was running smoothly. I like her. I think she and I are going to get along really well. Hopefully, the three of us will."

Georgia’s lips curved in a genuine smile. ’Nick’s sister is warm... disarming,’ she thought. Her heart, which had been tightly guarded all morning, began to ease open, just a little.

Vicky worked with the focus of a stylist on a mission, and before an hour had passed, Georgia was transformed. Her hair fell in soft waves, her skin glowed with a sun-kissed radiance, and her lips were tinted the color of forbidden fruit.

Vicky stepped back, handed her a mirror, and let out a satisfied sigh. "Wow... You’re breathtaking. No wonder my brother has fallen hard for you."

Georgia blinked. Her breath hitched, but she quickly recovered with a chuckle. "What are you talking about? He did not. We just made a deal. I’m sure once we’re off this island, he’ll go back to chasing women."

The words slipped out easily enough, but they cut her inside.

She felt the sting, sharp and deep, like the first chill of nightfall after a day warmed by false hope.

Vicky’s expression sobered. She crossed her arms and looked at Georgia with quiet intensity. "Do you really believe that? Because I don’t. I know my brother, and I haven’t seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. He’s not the same Nick anymore. He hasn’t been since he met you. He’s actions just tell me everything."

Georgia didn’t respond. She simply smiled, soft and distant.

’Maybe Vicky’s right,’ she thought. ’Maybe something has changed.’ But she didn’t dare voice it. Hope was a dangerous thing, and she couldn’t afford to feed it.

Not when her heart was already dancing too close to the fire.

Her heart was just recently broken by the people she trusts, and she doesn’t want to feel the same pain again; it was too soon.