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Chapter 3
I didn’t know her name, but I’d seen her once at the office. She was one of Darlene’s close friends.
Paul stepped in front of me, shielding me with his arm. “This is my car. If there’s an issue, take it up with me.”
But the girl crossed her arms, unrelenting. “No way. Nobody in this car is going anywhere. How do I know you two didn’t plan this and hit me on purpose?”
“Are you serious? This entire street’s under surveillance. You swerved into my lane!” Paul shot back, exasperated.
“I don’t care. You’re not leaving until someone pays for the damage.”
I narrowed my eyes and let out a dry laugh. “Darlene sent you, didn’t she? Told you to delay me.”
She froze. That clearly wasn’t the reaction she expected, and definitely not something I was supposed to figure out.
“I–I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who’s Darlene?”
Right then, my phone rang again. A video call from Darlene Lopez.
I answered it, and there she was… in my custom wedding gown.
My hair and makeup artist I’d booked were styling her hair in the background.
Darlene smiled sweetly. “Hey, Trista! Like the look?”
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She pouted, as if playing innocent. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Luciano was worried you wouldn’t make it in time, and he didn’t want to miss the auspicious hour. So he asked me to step in and walk the ceremony
you.‘
“But don’t worry—I’ll livestream the whole wedding for you. So you won’t miss a thing.‘
She gave a little wave. “Anyway, it’s starting. Gotta go!”
“”
I sank back into the car seat, my mind completely blank. I just stared at the screen as my wedding, a day I had planned so meticulously,
unfolded without me.
དོ་ང་སྐམ་༡༣་ དང ་ད་ང།
Every detail of that venue, from the flower arrangements down to the color of the ribbons, were all chosen by me. I had agonized over every decision.
But the woman standing at the altar wasn’t me.
The ceremony reached its climax. The officiant’s voice boomed:
“You may now kiss the bride!”
Luciano didn’t hesitate.
He leaned in and kissed her like it was the only thing he’d ever wanted. The camera zoomed in, giving the world a close–up of the kiss,
their lips still glistening as they pulled apart.
I felt a wave of nausea crash through me. I flung open the door and vomited onto the pavement.
Paul immediately rushed over, patting my back with concern. “Jesus, Tris—are you okay? I’m taking you to the hospital.”
I waved him off, grabbing the bottle of water he handed me and rinsing my mouth.
This dress–that damned wedding dress–felt suffocating. Heavy. Wrong.
As I sat back, something in the corner of my eye caught my attention.
There was a dry–cleaning bag in the backseat. Inside: Paul’s freshly cleaned button–down shirt and slacks.
Perfect. I yanked off the ornate headpiece weighing down my skull, then peeled off the dress and quickly changed into Paul’s clothes.
Chapter 3
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They were far too big, of course. But I rolled the sleeves, cuffed the pant legs, and tied off the waistband with a hair tie. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.
Just as I sat back down, my phone buzzed again.
Darlene’s voice came through, syrupy and smug.
“Enjoying the wedding, Trista? Luciano and I are just about to make our rounds and toast all the guests.”
She paused for dramatic effect.
“Oh, and your family? Doesn’t seem to care much about you. The bride changed and they didn’t even notice.”
“Well, this part take a lot of energy, and my phone’s low on battery, so–no more live updates. Bye!”
Paul returned to the car, shaking his head. “That girl’s insane. I’m not wasting my time arguing with her. I’ve already told my to take care of the whole thing.”
assistant
He climbed into the driver’s seat and finally looked over at me, nearly did a double take. His eyes widened. “Wait… what the hell are you wearing?”
I looked down and tugged at the oversized shirt. “Hope you don’t mind -I borrowed your clothes.”
Chapter 3
