Chapter 1: The night before forever

Lumi’s POV

Last night keeps replaying in my head. The way Caius touched me—slow, patient, like he wasn’t in a hurry to get anywhere. Like he already knew I wasn’t going anywhere. His hands, the way he held my waist. The way his voice dropped when he said my name.

My body still feels it, that soft ache, low and deep, not painful…just there. A reminder of last night.

And soon, I will be getting married to him. A small, giddy smile pulls at my lips as I stare at my reflection.

Finally—

“Ah—!”

The sharp sting cuts through everything. I jerk slightly as the zipper digs into my skin.

“Wait—don’t move,” Wren says quickly behind me, her fingers pausing at my back. “It’s stuck.”

I suck in a breath, my hand instinctively going to my side.

“That hurts,” I mutter.

She tries again, slower this time, tugging carefully. The zipper doesn’t budge.

“You should’ve lost some weight if you wanted to wear this for your engagement.”

The words drop casually. I don’t turn. I just stare at myself in the mirror, then the dress.

It’s beautiful, champagne-white, soft, and expensive. The kind of fabric that hugs instead of hides. It clings to my waist, my hips, every curve I’ve been pretending not to notice lately.

And now, I notice everything.

Behind me, Wren exhales softly. “Sorry. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean it like that.”

I meet her eyes through the mirror. She’s smiling, but not fully.

“You didn’t have to say it like that,” I say quietly.

“I know, I know,” she says quickly, already adjusting the zipper again. “I talk too much. You know how I am.”

Yeah, I do. But that didn’t change the sting that came with your words.

The zipper loosens slightly as she pulls it down. Relief.

“It actually looks good on you,” she adds, softer now. “Like… really good.”

Her fingers linger at my waist for a second. Then she lets go.

“You’re really going through with it,” she says.

Something in her tone makes me pause.

“With what?” I ask, turning slightly.

“The engagement.” She shrugs, but her eyes don’t match it. “I mean… you’re actually doing it.”

There’s something there, something she’s not saying. I straightened a little.

“Yeah,” I say, a small smile forming again. “I am.”

That smile doesn’t reach her. She nods.

“Right.” A pause, then she said. “You always go all in, don’t you?”

I frown slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugs again, looking away this time.

“Nothing. Just… you don’t half-do anything. Once you decide, that’s it.”

There it is again, that edge. I tilt my head slightly, studying her.

“I love him, Wren.”

The words come easy. And for a second, something flickers across her face. Gone just as fast.

“Yeah,” she says, smiling again. “I know.”

Then in a quieter tone. “You really do.”

The way she says it doesn’t sit right. But before I can think too much about it—

“Are you okay?” Caius’s voice cuts in from the doorway.

I turn immediately. He’s already walking in, eyes going straight to me.

“Yeah,” I say quickly. “The zipper just got stuck.”

“Let me see—”

He steps closer, but instead of checking the zipper, his hand comes to my waist, pulling me in slightly. Then he kisses me slowly, like last night didn’t end.

My breath softens into it before I even realize it.

“Do you guys ever get tired of that?” Wren’s voice cuts in.

I pull back slightly. She’s leaning against the dresser now, arms folded loosely, a smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Always kissing,” she adds lightly. “Some of us are single, you know.”

Her tone is playful. But there’s tight underneath it.

I let out a small laugh, brushing it off.

“Please,” I say, shaking my head a little. “Let me enjoy my man.”

Caius smirks, still looking at me. “What? She’s jealous?” he teases, tone low, but not low enough.

“Of you two?” Wren scoff softly. “Relax.”

But something about the moment feels… off.

“I’m in a bit of a rush,” Caius says, stepping back, his eyes still on me.

“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

He leaves just as quickly as he came, and the room goes quiet again. I turn back to the mirror slowly. I pulled out another dress, this one darker, simpler.

I slipped into it and turned toward the mirror, It fit easily. No struggle. Wren moved from dressed and walked around me slowly, her eyes scanning, not critical, but careful.

She nodded. “Wear this instead.”

I met her gaze in the mirror. “Yeah.”

I changed back into my regular clothes and grabbed my bag from the chair.

“I’m heading out,” I said.

Wren leaned against the wall, watching me. “Now? Are you going to be home late?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “I’m stopping by Clover’s first.”

Her eyes flickered for a second. Then she nodded. “Okay.”

Then her expression shifted slightly. “And Lumi…”

I paused.

“Take your time,” she said slowly. “But don’t be late tonight.”

Something about the way she said it made me look at her twice. “Okay…”

She smiled again, lighter this time. “Alright. Text me when you get there.”

“I will.”

I stepped outside. The evening air brushed gently against my skin as I walked to my car. I got in, adjusting my clothes slightly before starting the engine. For a moment, I just sat there. Quiet, still, letting everything settle.

I can’t believe it’s finally happening tonight. A soft excitement fluttered in my chest.

I reached for my phone and opened the camera, and sent a selfie of myself to Caius.

Me:

Do I pass the fiancé test?

My phone buzzed almost immediately.

Caius:

Pass? You just broke the test.

A small laugh escaped me.

Caius:

You look incredible everyday. Actually… no. You look dangerous.

Warmth spread through my chest.

Me:

Dangerous?

Caius:

Yeah. Like I won’t survive tonight without touching you.

I shook my head, smiling.

Me:

Behave.

Caius:

No promises.

My heart softened, this felt right, easy, and safe. Like everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. Then my phone buzzed again, another message.

Caius:

Hey baby…

I glanced down.

Caius:

You said you were going to stop by Clover’s first. Let me know when you’re on your way back.

My fingers stilled. A small frown formed on my face. I hadn’t told him that, not at all. I stared at the message a second longer than I should have.

It wasn’t what he said, it was how certain he sounded. Like he already knew. A slow, uneasy feeling crept into my chest.

If I didn’t tell him…

Then how did he know?