ned with intricate lace and shimmering beads, was more extravagant than anything I'd ever worn. My hair, sty

e adjusted my veil. Her smile seemed genuine, but there was something in her

erflies in my stomach. "Thank you, Evelyn. I

kling sound. "Don't worry.

I barely knew but was about to pledge my

spiraling thoughts. "It's time,"

vity. Bridesmaids in matching champagne-colored dresses fluttered around me, adjusting m

ered us into position. "Remember," she said, her voice clipp

wd through the chapel doors. Hundreds of faces turned expectantly towards the entrance, most of them strangers to me. I

ppeared at my side, offering his arm. "Ready, m

forced a smile and placed my hand on

erable, like an actress who'd forgotten her lines on opening night. But as

what looked like awe. For a moment, I forgot about the crowd, the cameras,

h face I passed a blur of curiosity and judgment. I could almost hear their whispers. Who

I took it, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. "You

I repeated vows I didn't write, promised forever to a man I was just beginning to know. Through i

ed couple. His lips were soft, the kiss gentle but filled with promise. For a moment, I let m

otective and possessive. As we began our walk back down the aisle, I caught sight of a familiar face in t

ccepted well wishes from people whose names I couldn't hope to remember. Lachlan sta

aned in close. "You're doing wonderfully," he murmured, his breath war

nerved by how easily he slipped into the role

of flowers, and enough champagne to float a yacht. Lachlan and I took

lan's best man spun tales of their long friendship and how he'd never seen Lachlan happier. My maid of honor, a

sts and dancing with elderly aunts. But every now and then, I'd catch a flicker of something in hi

dance floor to a slow song, I gathered my courag

earching mine. "We're starting a life to

ht our attention. Raised voices, the sound of breaking gl

ded, already moving to

ne was the charming newlywed, replaced by something harder, more dangero

my side, his hand gripping my

I asked, stumbling as he pro

later. We're n

nd us. Screams, shattering glass, and what sounded horribly like

g car. As he yanked open the door, urging me inside, I caught sight of something over

could only be a gun,

, just as a deafening