me was supposed to

dress tight against my belly. I could hear the organ music starting, a low hum of ex

pened, but it w

arm, his grip like iron. The other covered my mouth before I could scream. They dragged me out

k and smelled like

ught. The fear was a cold ocean I was drowning in. They left me in a field, my wedding dress torn and stained with blood and dirt. I felt a

ghts were too bright. A nurse t

e mentioned my "unfortunate ordeal" and wished me a "swift recovery" before announcing his immediate marriage t

d, and alone. The worl

ted like Mark. His face was pale, his eyes frantic. He didn't just stand by the door; he rushed to my

id enough to understand, he knelt by my bed. The hosp

firm. "I don't care what happened. I

held me when I woke up screaming from nightmares. He celebrated every small victory, every day I felt a little mo

alist Dr. Miller gently explained, was too damaged. The scar tissue was extensive. It was unlikely I would

looking for a book, when I heard their voices drift in from the terrace

ialist," Ben said. His voice was low, uneasy. "Even

d hovering over

he warm, loving tone I knew. It was flat

o feel like

anged for her to be assaulted so Tiffany could marry the older brother? And you've

th a muffled thud. The sound was lost in the roaring that filled my ears. My

re clear, sharp, and stripped of all warmth.

an excuse to call off the wedding. For

en lower, laced with

inted as her doesn't de

break. It turned to

through my darkest nights-he was the architect of my hell. The entire rescue, the loving marri

on was my

fe, felt like a tomb. The air grew thick and heavy, pressing down on me until

a lie, then I ha

simply