ing else. Colorful balloons and roses were laid out from the e

big screen kept looping pictures from Maria's daily life

to-wall with men in suits, all seemingly eli

stood two adorable kids, each holding a mic. They'd j

sed his voice, "Didn't you say she'd be here in five?

smile, "Yeah, kids, your mom didn't ditch y

e kids cute and coul

ght away, but Ethan? T

t. Got other

a meeting with

and as time ticked by, more followe

aling her to keep it together.

here soon-no doubt. If you've got to go, it's chill. Still pl

e laughs fro

l sa

got som

to leave now decided to hang aro

Ethan turned to Ella, "El

as she was about to dial, she caught a familiar

om

ntrance, her whole face lighting

every single head turn

er-curious, impressed, admiring.

he tugged awkwardly at the corner of h

ers really went all-out wit

disappear. She was two steps away fr

move, someone caugh

ame a fami

hat a matchmaking

a hand on Maria's should

"The kids went all out planning this for you. You're

er breath, "It's bad enough those two stirred u

You're scared to go 'cause you're s

ion stiffened.

w, teasing, "Then wha

apped back, "It's just a b

flower petals, high heels clicking, heading straight towa

xchanged a quick victorious glance wit

arked a few cars away from Maria's. Inside sat James, hi

ditching him was as e

his phone, read

e he didn't have her numbe

ertained-everyone except Maria, who was beyond bored but had to pre

m the event, but what she go

he should go for a PhD to keep up with him. The

irdly, Isabella seemed more his type. Maria shot Isabel

ugged like a vict

't like people with brothers or sisters-too annoying, he said. Mar

ughter. Someone whistl

hat was

fire, I'm

past. She rolled her eyes, dead

y seemed decent said at the end,

man stood up and declared loudly, "I've watched your pics, your video

ace turne

een yourself in

s completely out there-not even on the sam

ternally, "These

sibly her soul-starting to cr

door slam

the chaos around him. He froze mid-ste

hell is

oice and icy presence i

Not a sin