Replacement Bride: That Dress Wasn't Mine

the doc's office l

was shakin' so bad, she nearly crumple

itin' area and dropped into it, h

eal with this?" she muttered, he

in her brain like a broken record: "Stage three,"

er voice bitter. "And I'm just a broke café wait

vision. Her mind drifted back to Cloe Mira

er after her parents died in

her life was hangin' on money Sele

er grip on the report tightenin' like it

roke her spira

len

snapped u

our aunt," the nurse said, hand

Her eyes skimmed over the list of meds

ly needed was way outta reach-a kidney transplant, s

ht?" the n

, she felt like she was drowning. Al

lf. "I couldn't make that kinda money even

nst the cold, white wall, sta

spered. "Hell, even the dev

t heavy, but she forced a soft smile onto her face. Cl

ered, reaching out s

etter?" Selena asked, sq

ong with me. All I know is... I'm just a b

not a burden. I'll pick up another job if I have to. You'll

do that. I'm old, Selena. You should save your

to get better. That's all that matters," Selen

Selena could feel the weight of

*

the

niform and started her shift at a fancy café in

ttin' away, ordering overpriced lattes an

of steaming coffee and decadent desserts like a pr

flat-screen TV blared

café, announcing the lavish wedding of Damian Jorch, the billiona

nue in The Hamptons, boasting sprawling green hills

rystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, lush floral arrangements cascading down every

ling slightly as her eyes locked ont

lue eyes, and confident grin

," Selena muttered under her breath, a

Harper, came storming over, her face tight with annoya

of it and rushed to deliv

*

ak

chair in the staff room. Her best friend

ws today?" Maya asked,

ed, confused

announcement? Billiona

with a shrug. "They look pe

, studying her friend's

sked, feeling awkwar

r-Elsie, the bride," Ma

e? Night and day. They're up in the clouds, livin' the dream, and I'm

her head. "You don't seem lik

sigh, her walls crumb

pulling her into a hug. "Spill

It's Cloe... my aunt. You know she's

faded. "Yea

lkin' kidney surgery," Sele

a fortune," Maya whispere

urned through my savings just gettin' her checked out. If even a tiny bit of that

her bag. "Look, I've got a little

est tightening with emotion.

id, her tone firm but kind. "W