Chapter 1

"Are you kidding me?"

I forced a smile, even though my voice shook. "It's your wedding day, Lara. Don't do this. You're scaring me."

Without thinking, I stepped closer and gently placed my hand on Lara Carter's shoulder.

I just wanted a familiar touch, something small and natural, to end this joke that suddenly felt far too real.

She immediately stepped back, putting distance between us.

"Who's joking with you? Get out, or I'll call security."

My hand froze in midair, and my mind went blank.

I started replaying everything in my head, trying to figure out what I could have done wrong. But even when she actually pulled out her phone to call someone, I still had no idea.

My breathing turned uneven, and I whispered, "Did I do something inappropriate? Is there some custom here I don't know about? I can apologize. Please don't be mad, okay?"

She was marrying into a family from another state. The city we grew up in was over 600 miles away.

If I didn't understand some local wedding tradition here, that would make sense.

I clung to that thought like it was the only explanation left. I looked at her with a pleading look in my eyes.

"Just tell me what I did. Please."

She sneered, her gaze sharp.

"There's no custom. I'm not saying some things just to spare you the embarrassment."

Then she looked toward the door and called out, "Security. Take her away. I don't ever want to see this person again."

The night before, we squeezed together on the same bed, talking for hours. We talked about the first day we met as kids, then about the messy years, our failures, and our dreams.

She had worried I was exhausted from the flight and even booked an extra room so I could rest properly.

It had been less than three hours since we last saw each other.

How did everything change so suddenly?

Security walked toward me.

I shook my head and stepped closer to her without thinking.

"I really don't know what I did wrong. If you don't tell me, I can't fix it. I'm sorry. I apologize."

My voice trembled as I pleaded. "But today is the most important day of your life, and I'm your only bridesmaid. If I leave, what are you going to do?"

Just as I finished speaking, she rushed forward and grabbed my bridesmaid dress.

"Take it off."

She shoved the stylist aside, her voice sharp with impatience.

"Anyone can do this. It's not like it has to be you, Selena Lewis. Get out. Now! I don't have time to play games with you. I'm not even done with my makeup. If you ruin my wedding, I won't forgive you. You bitch!"

I clutched my dress tightly so I wouldn't look completely humiliated.

That word drained every bit of strength from my body.

I lowered my head and took the gift out of my bag.

I had stayed up several nights to make it by hand.

It was in the style she once told me she loved.

I placed it gently on the vanity.

"Congratulations on your wedding. I'll return the bridesmaid dress later."

She picked up the decoration without hesitation.

For a second, I thought there might still be a chance to fix this, so I rushed to explain.

"I worked on that for a long time, until my hands were raw. It's exactly the style you like—"

The next second, she threw it to the floor right in front of me.

It shattered into pieces.

She pointed at the door and coldly said, "Get out."

-

I went back to my room in a daze. After I took off the bridesmaid dress, I messaged her.

[I'm at the hotel. If you need anything, I'm here.]

The message failed to go through.