ding

made it less surreal. It did not. Somehow, everything that has happened still

ing my organs and continuing to steer me further and further away from reality. Fear owned me, it was so crippli

mirror in my hand, focusing my attention on my mother, who settl

brows creasing. "You look beautiful, my love

o say to her; neither of us had spoken about Julie since the proposal. I just knew accepting

go in." She spared me one last glance. "Wear your brightest smi

h my father and mother right behind me while some of our help from home

two prominent families. I put on a big smile, but it wasn't for show. I was excited t

even for the family, and if he felt the same way, then th

unced, stepping to my side as he anchored h

doors swung open. A gasp spilled from my lips

ngers. It became almost impossible to breathe when I

pride in looking at the seated guests, instead. My smile was intact, and I was delighte

who took my hand and helped me up the platform. He wore a stoic,

the officiant, and the room fell into silence, worsening

ld Thorne and Rosa Rivera," the officia

this was really happening. I got lightheaded, and the atmosphere dropped, provi

back to the present. He wore a skeptical look as th

U

der his breath, and my eyes widened. This had been the first thing he'd

be your lawfully wedded husban

llowed hard. It was too late to

saline Rivera to be you

nd a flicker of thoughts cross his ey

ould say anything else, Gerald pulled me to him, his firm arm holding m

me with one statement per day and left me on the precipice of intense confusion. It was impo

loser, and I stiffened against him, calculating the air that I breathed. There was

ve on my own accord. Gerald had me frozen in front of all these peopl

e?" He whispered. His silky voice caused the ba

t s- s

back. My mouth fell agape, but he didn't let go of it. His fing

instructed, and my face fell o

sts and our parents. I still couldn't get the kiss out of my

h

ald,

wer to," He cut in. "I suppose

t wasn't both our marriage. I brushed it off. He was b

of place. Everyone seemed to have a circle of their own, incl

that were aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Just what I wanted in a time like this. I

. "Smiling and beaming with no sha

u seen photographs of her sister? She was near perfect

ipped about. It was none other than me. I made no sound and mov

be putting on the same necklace Gerald had specially crafted for her sister, Ju

t's scary. Was she trying to fit in her sister's

stinctively grabbed the necklace, coating it. Was that wh

stood up, stumbling against a flower vase that crashed with a loud thu

ible things they'd said. I panted, blinking back tea

at who it was. I finally did, recognizing his stron

while. I heard more murmurings from the gossiping

ed, tugging at the necklace. "I-is

ponse to my question. "You're so lucky to have the same initi

isbelief. "That's a sick thing to do,

ool in my voice, despit

sn't the only sick t

t my lips, and I clenched my fists, biting on my lower lip

ies were here, waiting for me to make a mess of myself,

efine me, not right now. I stepped closer to him, killing the dist

want to start acting like my groom," I pa