Stolen Vows: The Thief Of Happiness

ly as she chopped vegetables. The soft rhythm of the blade

s homecoming. It had been five years since she last saw her sister, and t

ugh Delaney couldn't tell if it was exci

e sound of the front door opening, followed by

rling, you

ing to the living room. As she entered, she saw Kayla enveloped in th

ne who had left for a grand adventure and returned

. Tall, dark-haired, with a calm demeanor. His smile was poli

was, even before K

Kane" Kayla said, her voice p

fian

s smile tightened, though she kept it in place.

* Delaney thought, a flicker

she said, moving forward

" she added, extend

firm but warm. "Thanks, Dela

ctly what she expected. As they all sat down,

her mother asked, leaning forward eagerly. "And when did thi

d, tossing h

hrough a work event. He was there on business, and we just... clicked. T

ther exclaimed, her ha

sooner? We could've st

s resting in her lap as Kayla

t, with the Pacific Ocean stretching out behind them. Their mother listened in rapt attention,

a movie," their mother gushed, gl

e quite the

ly. "I try. Kayla

gs to say, the right way to nod and agree, but her heart wasn't in it. She fe

continued, her excitement barely contained.

"We've always loved the idea of something open and natural. So

ing the details. "I can see it now-flowers everywhere, t

id casually, like it was nothing

unable to hide her surprise. She bli

soon." Sh

just know we're ready, you know?" Kayla

h felt almost absurd, like she had missed something vital. But no one else seemed t

had been like for Kayla in California. Kayla answered each one eagerly, explaining how muc

er said, her tone a mix of admiration and longing. "I

lancing briefly at Delaney. "But I've mis

the years, just the occasional holiday call or text. The distance had always felt

Delaney excu

airs. It's been a long day," sh

course, dear. We'll c

door and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at

this from her for so long? She couldn't d

er door interrupt

ey? It

me

ked at Delaney with an easy smile, the kind that on

I sit?" K

ur

the bed, brushing her

h? I can't believe how

Delaney said, tryi

haven't talked much over the years, but I th

" Delaney said,

to take in. But yeah

ed, clearly

Alex. He's been amazing these past five years. Th

dered. *Five years. The same time she l

oblivious to her

but I just know. I can't wait to start my

rced anoth

like a g

nd I can't wait for you to get to know hi

to be supportive, to feel something more than th

m downstairs. "Kayla! Come down

l catch you later, okay? I'm glad to be b

Delaney said,

at the ceiling. She let out a long, slow breath, her mind spinning. Ka

he closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But

e of what the next few weeks would bring, but ce

elaney's eyelids dropped. Tomor

lets sleep