Hardy

dazzling smile, as if my shattered heart and dying mother were just background noise. He took her hand, squeezed it,

brated with Jonathan' s almost immediat

of tears, but a cold, hard fire. The desperate, pleading Emma was gon

over the gaudy wedding decorations. Strings of white

hite tulle draped over a garden arch. With a guttural growl

ill, laced with disbelief. She stomped her foot, a childish display of helple

down another string of lights, then a bouquet of lilies. Each

d to murmur and point, now

ce crossing his face. "Emma, stop this at once!" he commanded, his v

end. I walked straight towards the altar, scattering ripped decorations i

r flush against him. She giggled, her eyes downcast, a blush on her cheeks. He' d never been shy with me

ed, chanting, "K

he hollow ache in my chest. My mind replayed every moment he' d denied me, every time he' d refus

tore through my min

ecorations I still held. They sailed through the air, hitting Bryce squar

lence. "What is this charade?! And who is she?!" My finger, trembling, pointed at Ga

eyes, though still clouded with irritation, met mine. They widened slightly, taking in my red, swollen eyes, the tear

per of regret? A hint of pity? My heart, despite everything,

into my palms, slowly relaxed. I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat. Just