he wedding. We had to find a way to tell everyone the news - that I was getting married, and that my groom wouldn't be there. It was even harder to tell Bella, my younger sister, but we man

rt in his eyes, and I knew that telling him would break my heart. In the end, it was Kathryn who told him, while

Bride." My mother decided to make the wedding a private affair, by invitation only, to try to keep the medi

n't be there. But on the day itself, as I was getting ready, I found myself feeling a deep sense of loss and

ed to make him pay for what he has done. We did not care about the number

taring at my reflection. I was wearing a beautiful white dress, but it felt like a costume.

self, my voice breaking. I could feel the tears

heer myself up. But the smile felt ho

it, I was crying uncontrollably, my makeup running down my face. The sight of my own reflection was too much to

verwhelmed and defeated. Just as I was beginning to think that there was no way out of this situation, I heard a knock at the doo

e asked, her voice filled w

ced out, my word

voice gentle but firm. "You agreed to this marriage, r

t coming. "I know, Mom," I said, my voice barely

sery and despair. But my mother was determined to comfort me. "I know it's hard, Althea," she said, sitting next to me

ing. "I know," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

n eyes glistening with tears. "I never wanted

ation bubbling up inside me. "What is the sec

l you the details, but please trust me when I

eyes, and they began to fall in earnest. In all my years

egret. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she cou

s filled with concern. "It's your wedding da

ant her to worry, and I wanted to be strong for her. She was the most important person in my l

u get married, okay, Tea?" Bella sa

"You promised not to call

protested. "An eye for an ey

even," I said, my smile wide. "And I prom

sisters, best friends, and we would always be there for each other, no matter what

ed out, "Sister Althea, promise me you won't forget us. P

y," I said, even though I knew it was

room, and as soon as she was gone,

w," I said, my v

r began, a note of

romise I won't tell her. Dad's in Germa

re she could get to the door, I called out, "Mom, promise m

e said quietly, before leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew what I had to do, but it

cruel father-in-law. I had no idea where they

ng of my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten all day, but I

I thought about my mother, and how worried she must be. And I thought about Bella, and how she would react when she found out what I h

M'S

k City, enjoying a cup of coffee. Suddenly, his assistant burst i

mation about the girl... er, I mean

coffee, savoring the momen

?" he asked, a sly grin