Week

slash through silence. Trent sat back in a leather chair, arms crossed, his eyes locked onto hi

a manila folder across the table as i

the folder but then imme

der," Mason replied, his steel-gra

. Reparation," Mason continued, his tone resolute. "Torres' arres

ust beneath the surface. "You think parading me next to a

n us favor in the media," Mason

blood," Trent sh

will do as I say. Your silence during the media fallout cost us t

belief battling within him. "So

rd interjected coolly.

nd Trent? The engagement is public. The wedding is scheduled. She arrives

g Trent alone in the suffoca

t reluctantly reached for

er T

nt name and a past is

es of photographs and notes. She was pretty, delicate even but he

sent

white. Too pristine like it was

icate lace that felt foreign against her skin. The corset cinched her waist, and the sweethe

e didn't bother to wipe them away. Instead, she stood there, trembli

oice cut through the stillnes

g her head. "I don't feel b

t strength and hope. "I know it feels like you're losing everything," she said, he

. "Feels more like I'm getting

eone you're not. Be

don't know how to be a wife, Sara. I don't wa

urself," Sa

er's lips. "You're too kin

by men who only taught you to survive. But love?" She placed a tender h

motion flickered within her was it envy? Longing? Or guilt? "I hope she

Sara replied gently. "An

roomsman's voice behind the door in

remnants glittered in her eyes. She straightened her posture, fin

th," she said, her voic

touched her arm one last time.

er choosing burdened by secrets stitched beneath her skin

pes, golden lighting, a string quartet playing a tune that felt mournful yet disguised as romantic. Wint

ling inside her gloves, waiting for

ange vows," the o

e retrieved a small card from his breast pocket, reading it with an expression as devoid of emotion

throat as she faced the sea of expectant faces around her. She had no vows. Nothing carefully penned o

nter Torres," she began, locking her gaze with Trent's, "take you, Trent Reid, to be my hu

g in his eyes? Surprise? Or wa

the officiant interject

ed as the cold metal band slipped onto her finger a stark contrast to the warmth she longed for

officiant announced, and an

he cameras their lives being captured in that single, fleeting moment.

angers surrounding them, celebrating a union that