case his beautiful, happy fiancée to his business partners and t

the small of my back. I wore a sapphire blue dress he had chosen, a diamond necklace he

my ear, his breath warm against

blur of glittering chandeliers, champagne flutes, and fake smiles. Every

I sa

as even more striking than in the photo. She wore a slinky red dress that commanded attention, her dark hair cascad

y his hand on my back tensed. His eyes were locked on her, a hunger

old with a shock of dark ha

e. Then, her eyes slid to me, still standing at his side. Her smile didn't falter, but it cha

as if I were an afterthought. "Come," he said, his

s business partners. He was

going to stand me next to my replacement, the original m

pproached. I heard whispers, saw the curious

ller? I thought she

he's with Daniel Hayes. But isn't h

oor girl looks like a d

against my raw nerves. I wante

d his hand from my back. The small

s voice softer than

d back again. "It's been a long time. You look well." She

d as he looked at the

ared, his exp

lint in them. "And this must be Olivia. You di

th a sweet smile. It was de

een his past and his present. He offered a weak, placatin

o tunnel. I needed to get out of there.

into someone, stumbling. Strong h

e. Are you

was handsome, with light brown hair and a face that was open

ied, pulling aw

"My name is Jack Peterson. Can I get

. Daniel was now deep in conversation with Sarah, his back

invi

nd stranger, my voice c

ently guided me through the crowd toward the t