ironment. It took her a minute t

in, his face full of pity as he stared at her. Dread fo

n to my baby?" Her v

ng for a moment before he spoke. "I'm

. Her heart clenched, the ache expanding, suffocating. A str

ld show the child to the world. Maybe it was for the best, probably the world was telling her that

ha

kage with her, wha

he whispered, barely

ly. "He's unconscious. We're monitoring

ly, her thoughts sli

appeared on the screen. Across the room, a television scr

ily's home-reduced

ers at the bottom of the screen co

Her father

o

al. Her family was all gone, and

this earth when all

she had lost everythin

hur

m escaped her lips as her arms wrapped around her own body as

cry; the tears stream

bedside table pulle

ph

her fingers trembling. The screen illu

s she opened the mess

dding in

wedding

arried in two day

had once introdu

e was undeniable, staring her down, right in her face. Her fingers hove

ang

ic

ight to v

; there was no one on earth he

th the same cold response. A moment later, the message va

as bl

lace, staring blankly at the phone, her m

ulled the IV

s someone whose life mattered just as h

to see

weak, drained of all energy. When she reached

y. In sleep, he looked untouched by pain-his sharp ja

y. In college, Ethan had always seemed cold and distant in a way that made him

pulled her fro

you?" A v

composed, with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, she carried a blue bowl i

ow my son?" Th

e went to the same

a to sit with her. But Darla shook her head. She didn't belong here. She

irror, staring at her reflection, unable to recognize the woman in front of her. She had grown thinner in the pas

ere was no make-up in the world th

wide-brimmed hat shadowed her features, her makeup sharp, accentuating the hollowne

y she would do s

ow, he was parading his perfect wedding in front of the world, as if she had

back of mind for days. Her photographic memory made sure of that. Every detail o

g, the floral arrangements, the soft golden glow of fairy lights-everything she had be

and laughing at an event that should have been hers. Darla ste

t to the entrance,

edding was strictly by invitation only but the invitatio

n invitation to her

th to argue, a familiar vo

urned sharply to find Et

ght to herself. Thri

een him, he had been unconscious, clinging to life. Now, he was here. Not

forced it down. This was

and without another wor

ng that was supposed to be hers, with the man wh

g-an opulent hall bathed in golden light, with several floral arrangements and crystal chandeliers

of it was

ulse pounding in her ears as s

ad no intention of staying by his side-she just wanted to slip into

, amusement in his ey

e would even think she

her off guard. Heat rose to her cheeks as she gave a small, almo

he said simply. And then, with a casual nod, he walk

something she had never done before, it was stra

ing slow

e glide down the aisle in a gown that sparkled under the chandeliers

he flowers, the soft candlelit

ize. His eager hand stretched toward his bride, his fingers curli

li

herself. Some heads were turned. A few guests casted pointed glances at her-afterall she

ay of letting them know that it

emony pr

, we are gathere

same gaze that had once been reserved for her.

p herself, the words

wedding!"