Chapter 4
My phone buzzed just as I was brushing out my hair. I glanced at the screen and saw Mom flashing on the caller ID. I hesitated a beat—just one—but picked it up anyway. “Reese,” she said with a warmth only mothers could carry, “I’ve arranged everything. The house is ready, and we’re just waiting for you to come home.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’ll be back soon.” Her voice dipped into concern. “Are you sure… nothing happened?” A pause. Too long. I didn’t want her to know about the accident, so I lied. “No, nothing,” I said, forcing lightness into my tone. “I just… woke up, I guess. From the stupid dream that he’d ever love me.” Silence greeted me, then a soft sigh. “Then that’s great, sweetheart. He was no good for you anyway. That boy… he was a storm you didn’t need to weather.” I smiled faintly, ignoring the sting behind my eyes. “Thanks, Mom.” “Now,” she continued, bright again, “you can start preparing for your wedding dress! Go to the boutique today, and I’ll begin arranging the dinner next week. Your groom is still busy with business, but it won’t be long now.” I nodded, though she couldn’t see it. “Okay, I’ll go today.” The call ended. And I just stood there, phone still in hand. I wasn’t even sure who this mysterious groom was. A family friend? Someone Mom trusted? A connection meant to reset my life like a magic switch? Honestly, I didn’t care. As long as it wasn’t Dylan. As long as it erased Dylan. The boutique was still my favorite place in town, tucked between a quiet florist and a quaint café. White lace draped over the glass window display, glowing under golden afternoon light. I walked in, heart unsure, but steps steady. Rows of gowns greeted me, like ghosts of fairy tales waiting to be worn. I brushed my fingers along the delicate beadwork of a nearby dress, sighing quietly. Maybe pretending would help. Maybe wearing a beautiful dress and acting like I was okay would eventually make it true. But then a voice cut through the serenity like a blade. “Well, well. What are you doing here?” I turned around slowly, already recognizing the venom in that tone. Katerina. Of course. Tall. Flawless. Draped in a silky champagne gown that looked painted on her. “Are you stalking me again?” she added, folding her arms, lips curled in disdain. I blinked, calm. “No. I’m here to try on wedding dresses.” Her eyes narrowed. “Trying to steal him again, huh? First seducing him like some pathetic desperate thing, and now this? Copying me?” I let out a breath. “I’m not here to start a fight, Katerina. I’m really getting married. This has nothing to do with you—or Dylan.” She laughed, loud and cruel. “You? Married? Please. No one in their right mind would want you after the show you made. If I had any doubt before, now I’m sure—you’re doing all this to ruin my wedding.” My fingers curled into fists at my sides, but I didn’t raise my voice. “I’m not. I don’t care about Dylan anymore. He’s all yours now.” That should have been enough. But it wasn’t. “Don’t act like you’re innocent,” she spat, stepping closer. “You begged him to love you. You tried to sleep with him. Cried for him like a dog. And now you’re parading around in bridal boutiques like some tragic, forgotten princess. Pathetic!” I turned to walk away. And then I heard the soft clatter of porcelain. I turned just as she grabbed a decorative vase from a nearby shelf, her face twisted in rage. “Katerina—” Crack. Pain split across my head like lightning. My knees buckled. The world tilted, then spun violently. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was her face above me. “I told you,” she hissed. “He’s mine.” And then blackness.