VY

n, but for the years I had wasted, the dreams I had deferred. Coralie had insisted I be Heather' s mai

himmering mother-of-the-groom outfit. "Heather's almost ready, and you haven't even started on yo

ied housekeeper and a convenient match for her son. A woman who, in my past life, had constantly laud

er's maid of honor, Corali

arp, widened in shock. "What? Ivy, what are you talk

ple in my life," I said, meeting her gaze s

r voice rising. "She's so sensitive! This will c

ng? Are you... are you really not going to stand with me on my special day?" Her voice was a fragile whisper, perfectly calibrated for maximum

ie wailed, rushing to Heather's side, clutching h

l help me with my dress? Who will hold my bouquet? Who will tell me everything' s going to

t, a desperate need to soothe Heather' s manufactured pain. But not this

A strategic retreat for now. "I'll do it.

smile. "Oh, thank you, Ivy! You saved my day!" She rushed forward, h

r walked down the aisle. He believed he was marrying a delicate, innocent soul. He believed he was saving her. In my past life, I had watched this scene wi

er. "Heather, my love, this isn' t just a wedding. It' s a new beginning. A promise. This locket symbolizes my unending devotion, my commitment to always protect you, always

was supposed to hold our pictures. But when I' d asked him to put a picture of us inside, he' d always fou

, Dyllan! It' s beautiful! You' re so sweet!" She

five years ago." The words hung in the air, a small bomb I had just

mson. He opened his mouth,

n tell Dyllan to get you another one, a prettier one! This one really suits me, right

loser. "Yes, baby. It's yours now. And I'll get Ivy something much nicer. Something that truly ref

y. Keep it." It was another burden shed, another piece of my past willingly given away. The truth

ted a scene, a fight for what was "mine." He didn't understand that I no longer care

observer, feeling detached, as if watching a play unfold. The rain outsi

rge, ornate flower arrangement had toppled over, scattering pet

ly stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body. His eyes, full of terror,

self deep in my flesh. I gasped, a small, involuntary sound. Blood bloomed rapidly on the white fabric of my dress, a vivid scarlet agai

rupted from the guests. "Oh

h the haze of pain, one image remained perfectly clear: Dyllan, his back to me, his arms wrapped tightly around Heather, his face buried i

my suffering. He hadn't changed. He never would. The realization was a bitter pill, but it brought with it a strange, cold clarity. This was it. The final, undeniable proof. I