y breath until I left the restauran

ion of floral palettes and venue options-all of it had been a performance. One I

ett

ting there-next to Emily, relaxed and confident, like the past didn't exist-I felt something crack

one in the waiting area, waiting for the car to come

now?" I whisp

d outside. The driver opened the door to the black SUV, and I slid in silen

dn't ask how I'd been. And I'd mirrored him, like it mea

est a

look at me li

coul

w I noticed everything about him. The way his voice had deepened. The way he still loosened his tie slightly when he leaned bac

it harder tha

of this. Or I

wer messages. I just sat there, staring out the tint

aring at the skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I could still hear Emily's voic

this wasn't her fault

love, planning her wedding with the man

was almo

heels still on, and tried to brea

didn't chase after him. I told myself I was too proud, too focused, to

ripping off a bandage I didn't

angry. No

e like...

I never got a conversation, a reason, or even a goodbye

re he was-back in my worl

were st

e wer

ed. A message

ell? Emily said

hed

meant for me. No one did. I'd built a life around poise and elegance, around bei

sn't sure I could c

ure? Stand by as they pledged forever-while pretend

er on my face. The woman in the mirror stared back at me wi

LA's premier w

irl who once beli

nd towel and b

an do

myself. Over and

wasn't sure if

ow, my thoughts refusing to quiet down. The skyline sparkled be

ut what would I even say? "Hey, guess who's engaged to my client

the same way I a

ly and Clara obsessively updated. I flipped to next week's tab

. Menu tastings. E

like a jab. A s

osed

'd throw myself into work. I'd

toni

myself fall apa

klessly and lost quietly. The girl who never got answers. I wouldn't unravel completely. Not yet. But tonight, in the safety of silence and sha