chaos. The murmurs in the congregation swelled into waves of disbelief and whispers,

n almost taunting nonchalance as he walked toward th

her gaze darting toward Tom, whose face

taut, "who is this man? And w

er gaze landed on Sonia, seated with an infuria

Dario... he was a different kind of disaster. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't

nd firm. "Sir, you have interrupted a sacred ceremony

ething sinister. "Katy is engaged to me. Has been for ye

ize for the inconvenience. "Some... circumstances kept me away for

gh the hall as all

ravely, "is there any truth to this cla

ends, Tom-each face wore a mix of confusion and judgment

pered. "I was e

ped from hers as he stepped back, his expression a storm of betr

es and declared, "I'm afraid this ceremony can

altar, leaving the congre

~

pushed past them, desperate to escape. The sight of her fat

. "How dare you? You never told us Dario was out of prison. You agr

didn't

, Katy! That's al

ing a hand on his arm. "Calm do

, his arrogant swagger ig

h damage for one d

poke the truth. Katy is-was-my fiancée. I couldn

eyes turned to her as she stepped forward with a casual shrug. "You're welc

ut her father held her back. "Why would

t everything, Katy. I just thought it

turned on Dario. "And you! Don't you dare come near me a

he chaos behind as she sea

~

t Tom wasn't admiring the view. His jacket lay crumpled on

acing. "Tom..."

up his jacket, a

rabbing his arm. "Pl

How do you explain lying to me, Katy? You kept something like this from

ttered anymore!" Katy's voice broke. "He was in

ir. "Secrets don't just disappear, Katy. This was

ought I could leave all

ut he quickly hardened again. "Love isn't

ispered, tears stre

y with finality. "I can't

y, leaving Ka

~

re breaking down. She locked the door and let o

ognizable-makeup streaked, eyes red, h

herself. "Why does every

nk. She grabbed it without thinking and downed it in

e dizzin

er vision blurred. Her legs gave out, and she crum

ld went