barely slee

d again...those two pink lines, glowing in her me

her sister's

in her mind. Each time she tried

awn filtered through her curtains, Am

hat she jumped. With shaky hands, she reached for it. The n

re

it with tremb

ing to brunch with us. And wear somet

do what her sister demanded. But now, the thought of sitting across from A

about making an excuse, faking an illness. But Serena would never believe her.

ame that clung to her skin, but it stayed with her. When she dressed in a soft blue dress and tied

. Her lips trembled even

the girl in the mirror. Her voice crac

g sun was bright, spilling through the wide windows. The air was

golden hair caught the light, her polished nails gl

oze in th

ng even in the casual setting. His dark eyes lifted, and for the brie

her lips into a polite smile as

hiding her irritation. "You're always lat

mell of coffee surrounded her, but her stomach tur

uest list. She sparkled with excitement, her laughter loud and perfect. Adrian nodded occasi

ed her gaze to the untouched

ed them together so tightly her knuckles tur

drian

s voice was low, his

ened painfully. "I...

y. "She's always tire

ne she had worn her whole life. She ne

ith guilt. Every laugh, every soft touch between them twisted like a knife inside her. And every time Adrian's ga

ds, the roughness of his kiss, the sound of her own voice betraying her.

to meet the wedding planner, Amelia almost sagged with relie

rget to pick up my dress from the boutiq

her pride and n

g her lungs like a release. She walked fast, clutching her bag to her ch

ice stop

eli

roze. She t

ri

the sun, his presence dominating the busy street

ity seemed to fade

ce was low, controlled, but she co

words came out. She shook h

t over her face, searching, p

rified someone might hear. "Stop," she whispered, her vo

that sent heat rushing through her veins despite herself. "A mist

back tears, shaking her head. "Please, Adrian

of emotions she couldn't read. But then his face hardened, turning cold

, his voice like ice. "

he turned quickly, forcing herself to walk away be

ds clutched her bag, but unconsciously, one d

beat like a drum, re

time before Adrian wil

drian's control, and her own fragile life..would ex