a's

unding headache, I reached for it and was stunned to see what was happening. The incident had gone viral.

dive in front of a bullet-but

s his future wife in a li

serves someone who actually r

omments made my

y father's name flas

ews. "The engagement is over, Aria. I'll be damned if I stand by and watch

like that. Liam was just... he wasn't thinking clearly

in my head whispered: But shouldn't

your life, Aria! Do you understand that? If that

the alternative. "Dad, I love him. We've been togethe

've always been too forgiving for your own good, just like

him, though uncertaint

and Elizabeth White. While Elizabeth's face was a mask

heels clicking against the floor. "We are so sorry abou

I can't express how sorry I am. I wasn't thinking clearly. The mo

fallen for when we were teenagers, I nodded. "

plaining the incident as an unfortunate misunderstanding during a moment of p

ake tastings to venue inspections. His dedication made me believe that perhaps the incident was truly just a mom

the grand ballroom that had been transformed into a fairy-tale setting. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow o

tion. My ivory gown, with its intricate lace and pearl embellis

father asked, placing a

eremonies announce, "And now, ladies and gentlemen,

ually died down, replaced by murmurs of confusion. The master of ceremonies tried to maintain his com

hoed through the air, followed by Elizabeth White's shri

past me, his face pale and determined. He'd ripped off

ophia fell-she's hurt. I can't just leave her like that. We

... gone in an instant. The warning signs had been there all along, from the moment he chos

kened with rage. "Li

leaving me standing in my wedding gown, surro

the preparations, after I'd defended him to everyone... he was still

er him. The high heels I wore bit into my skin, each step a painful reminder

about to cross the street to a waiting car. I p

cried out, stepp

avoid me. In my haste to avoid it, I lost my balance and fell hard onto the pavement

Just for a second. He turned back, his eyes meet

ll got int

chose

ai

t, something insi