mpany famous for its magic, but her own dream, a vintage garden party at a New England estate, remained just a meticulously detailed plan on her laptop. Seven years

e future she desperately wanted, a future now shadowed by a secret far darker than

today. Then she saw him, Ethan, her Ethan, standing under the old oak where she'd imagined her vows, and he was saying them, but not to her.

e a quick mask of surprise before

voice too loud, too cheerful. Chlo

ow how it is," Ethan explained, not meeting Ash's eyes.

r company. You're the expert here, m

envy perhaps, as Chloe laughed at something he whispered. Ash felt a cold knot in her stomach, the beautiful garden suddenly feeli

than approached Ash, his laptop open. On the screen was Ash's dream

ide and apology in his voice. "She saw it when I was lookin

, that's... that's my wedding plan. T

and she's on a tight deadline. We have plenty of time for ours, I'll design s

e that was more than just work, Ash nodded slowly. "Okay, Ethan. If it helps the client." Professionali

ing to breathe through the tightness. She told herself it was just the stress of this new, complicated client, Chloe. But the truth was a heavier weight, a countdown she couldn't stop. She tried to focus on the flor