N'S

g trip, but the hours dragged on like centuries. Each t

s or some last-minute detours. But when the sun dipped behind the hills and sha

aced the marble floor, glancing at the ornate grandfather

e keeping he

mall where she had said she was

t hours

e. Hou

here w

off the table. My mind jumped to only one place that made sense - the ho

ers around my throat. If it we

dn't

t. The keys felt heavier than usual in my

y compound like so

rnity. When I arrived at the hospital, I park

t colder than usual, the f

my chest as I

red the momen

ge for him. Sterling looked better - color returning to his

y one thing: Brie

le greeted, startled

are you today?" I asked, t

fine,

Sterl

ng quickly. T

... is everything okay? W

y looking for Brielle. Do you

ether. "No, sir. I ha

me. I felt like shouting but

asn't he

d simply..

I raked a hand through my hai

my breath. "Our wedding is in a week. People a

g stirred in his bed. I knew I was scar

lked out withou

urity agencies, private investigators, even a few tech-savvy frien

passed.

o. No

ree. S

ed she'd return before the wedding. Maybe she just needed

wai

dding, I stayed home. I canceled all meetings and t

d come back that day intensified.

ng room, staring

th

e guards

said breathlessly

rushed to the entrance, ready to pul

w near, it w

s Gis

ace

. The way she walked, quieter. More uncertain. Her e

d's confusio

t was she

ed to the living room and sat,

he said politely i

lle. How are yo

sir. Th

moments, a maid brought in cookies

t often. Is eve

slowly befo

actually came wi

" My brow lift

e personal. It's a

forward

much this wedding means not just to you, but to your rep

spond. I wa

nd watching and cance

slowly and

now would create.

dea." Her eyes met mine, steady

d. It pressed a

marry me?" I ask

ve Brielle and me more than we imagined. And honestly, the dif

ing her face. S

bre. Same poise. Almost e

dding - it was a deal. An

e about thi

I am" sh

my people. The media would

dn't have to cancel. My

But if Brielle returns before the wed

lle nodded. "I on

h sincerity, an

" I agreed. "L

lors and decorators, cake tasting, ceremony re

I wondered - wh

eparation. And everything w

day of t