Chapter: CHAPTER 21 Car Ride“You make sure no one in this town has access to that photo—online or offline.”I hear Xavier’s voice through the phone—controlled, steady, eerily calm. Like he isn’t affected, but I know better.I was pulled away by Ava moments after the chaos Kendrick caused, while Xavier stayed behind, barking quiet, sharp orders into his phone—trying to contain the damage.Trying to contain me.He avoids Kendrick like the plague and I could tell it was on purpose. I can’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened if they were left alone in the same space.I sit in the car in silence.Ava is beside me now, leaning in from the back seat, gently rubbing my arm in slow, comforting circles.I’ve been crying too hard even to pretend I’m okay.My mother sits at the far end of the car, still and quiet. Lost in thought as she always is. Two days left before her flight and yet she feels even further away than when she arrived.I glance at the rearview mirror.My reflection stares back at me and I barely
Last Updated: 2026-05-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 20 Wedding DayThe room smells faintly of flowers and hairspray. Soft voices drifting in and out as people move around me.I sit in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back.She looks like a real bride.Soft makeup. Carefully styled hair. A dress that probably costs more than everything I own combined.I look… perfect. Every detail is exactly how it should be.The dress. The makeup. The hair.Flawless.And yet—I wish the circumstances were different.I wish this had been my choice.I wish this wedding meant what it was supposed to mean.A celebration of love.“Hey, sweetheart.”The voice pulls me out of my thoughts.Familiar.I turn.It was Mom.For a second, I… look at her.She looks better than the last time I saw her.Healthier.Slimmer.There’s a brightness to her skin I haven’t noticed in a long time—like something in her has quietly come back to life.She almost looks like herself again.Like the version of her I remember from years ago.Before things changed.And every
Last Updated: 2026-05-07
Chapter: CHAPTER 19 Loft“Hello, Mom.”Xavier walked over to our table and hugged his mother briefly.“Hey, darling. This is such a pleasant surprise,” she said warmly.“Except it’s not,” he muttered under his breath as he turned slightly toward me.I caught it. Low, sharp, and directed at me.I sank a little deeper into my chair, my fingers tightening around my wrist. I didn’t understand why he was angry. I hadn’t even said anything yet.“Darling, meet Ava, Sydney’s best friend,” his mother said, cutting through the tension I could feel building between us.I hesitated a second too long, and Ava beat me to it.“Oh, hello Ava,” Xavier said, shifting instantly as if nothing had happened like he hadn’t just thrown that comment at me.He stretched out his hand.“It’s nice to finally meet the famous Xavier,” Ava said, smirking as she shook it.“Oh, so someone has been talking about me,” he said, glancing at me briefly. The corner of his lips lifted slightly. “I hope they were good things.”Ava tilted her head li
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 18 The DressThe boutique smells like fresh fabric and has a faintly floral note.Soft music hums in the background as racks of white dresses surround me—lace, satin, tulle… all of it overwhelming.“I feel like I’ve walked into a cloud,” Ava mutters, running her fingers over a rack. “A very expensive cloud.”I let out a small laugh.Evelyn smiles warmly. “It does have that effect.”A consultant approaches us, all smiles and polished elegance.“Good afternoon. Are we here for the fitting?”“Yes,” Evelyn answers smoothly. “For Sydney.”The way she says my name makes something in my chest shift.The consultant turns to me. “Lovely. Do you have a style in mind?”I hesitate.“I… not really.”Ava snorts softly. “She’s been too busy being dragged into a marriage to plan aesthetics.”“Ava,” I hissed.“What?” she shrugs. “I’m just saying.”Evelyn chuckles lightly. “We're here to figure it out together,” she smiles reassuringly. I tried on the first dress and it was… a lot.It's a ball gown. Layers of tulle
Last Updated: 2026-04-20
Chapter: CHAPTER 17 The Mom Effect“What’s going on here?”The voice is soft. Feminine.Not the deep baritone I was expecting.I use the distraction to yank my arm out of Bianca’s grip, swallowing my disappointment at who came to my rescue.Bianca’s expression shifts instantly.Her eyes gloss over, her face crumpling as if she’s on the verge of tears.“She attacked me!” she shrieks, pointing at me.Jane straightens, folding her arms, a deep frown settling on her face. She doesn’t look convinced.“She attacked you,” Jane repeats slowly, her gaze flicking between us, “yet her wrist is bleeding… and you’re the one with those claws?”Bianca stiffens.Jane takes a step forward, her voice dropping so low, firm, and controlled.“Look… if you don’t want to embarrass yourself further, I suggest you leave. Quietly.”A beat.“Or I’ll have security escort you out.”Bianca glares at her, fury flashing across her face. Then she turns sharply, her heels striking the floor as she storms out.Silence.Jane exhales.Then she turns to me
Last Updated: 2026-04-16
Chapter: CHAPTER 16 No escape“So when are you flying in, Mom?” I asked over the phone. “Erm… this is such a rush. I had things planned.” She says slowly, as she always does. “So you’re not coming?” I ask, a frown forming on my face as I brace for the worst.“Oh no, honey, I will,” she says finally then pauses. “Sydney….. not that I don’t support this union, but… isn’t this a bit rushed? Are you under duress?”For some reason, that puts a big smile on my face. This is the most reaction I’ve gotten from my mother in a while. She has always seemed like a brick—no emotions or whatsoever—so hearing concern in her voice feels… new.It feels good.“Oh mom, you’re worried!” I say, my voice lifting with surprise and affection.“Of course I am. I care about you. “Of course I am. I care about you,” she says quietly. “I know I don’t always show it well, but I do.”My chest tightens.“Well….. something is going on right now,” I say carefully. “That’s why we have to move things along.”Maybe I was expecting too much when I
Last Updated: 2026-04-04
LOGIN
