iced grace, his hands a blur as he plated the pasta. He smiled, a genuine, unguarded expression that reach

is waist. She rested her chin on his shoulder, her long, d

ble rhythm they had developed over two years. They were a team, partners in every sense. Their shared dream, a restau

in. "Soon it will be 'Thorne & Reed'

is grip warm and ste

t, for their future. Every word she spoke was a melody to him, every glance a promise. He

r Davies. 'Call me. Important opportunity.' Ethan dried his hands and stepped onto the

se interfering. "Professor? It's Etha

just opened up. Head chef. In Paris. It's a perfect fit for you, but

that's... I can't. The wedding is in two wee

laced with disappointment. "But this is once

as a dream, but his dream was here now, with Olivia. He shook his head, a smile touching his lips. He was abou

rp, cold. He paused, his hand on t

ing according to plan," Olivia

ned. Wh

la." The way Olivia said it was venomous

tle and cruel. A cold dread started to seep into Ethan's bones. "He'll be standing at the altar, looking

uccessful event planning business. He remembered Olivia mentioning her family had a caterin

on speakerphone now, eager and sha

r voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He'll be so broken. Do

kiss, every shared dream replayed in his mind, now tainted, twisted into a grotesque lie. She was

with him. The words were a physical blow, knocking the air from his

verything all at once. The love he had felt just moments before had curdled into somethi

couldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing him break. Not yet. A new feel

n't be h

hone from his pocket, his fingers shaking slightly as he found Professor Davies' number. H

altar. He wouldn't be he

d the cal

e steady, devoid of all emotio