The tension in the living room could be sliced with a knife. Riele sat at the edge of the couch, her fingers entwined tightly in her lap. Beside her was Charlotte, holding baby Hope in her arms. Utter stood near the wall, arms crossed, his face unreadable. The air was heavy. Every ticking second from the old clock above the television felt like a warning bell.Kim stood by the window, his back to them all. He had invited Jane, but even he wasn’t ready for what was about to unfold. He hadn’t spoken much since the hospital discharge, and now that they were all here, he had barely said a word.A knock came at the door. Everyone froze.“I’ll get it,” Utter said, already moving.The door opened, and there she was—Jane. Her dress was neat, face painted carefully, smile barely hiding the smugness in her eyes. She stepped into the room slowly, scanning everyone, her gaze settling last on Riele.“Thanks for inviting me,” Jane said, her voice sugary.Riele gave no reply. She looked straight ahe
Kim walked into his office like a man in a fog, barely acknowledging the greetings of his staff. His shirt was creased, the buttons uneven. His face had lost its usual color, and his hair stuck up like he hadn’t touched a comb in days. The receptionist offered him a small smile and a polite “Good morning,” but he passed her without a word, his shoes heavy on the tile floor.He entered his office and closed the door softly behind him. The blinds were down, dimming the sunlight that tried to pour through the glass. The room felt cold and impersonal, and for a moment, Kim just stood there, unsure what to do. His hands hung at his sides, and his shoulders slumped as he made his way to the desk.He dropped into the chair, letting his head fall into his hands.A soft knock at the door broke the silence. Amber, one of the senior staff, peeked in, holding a file.“Sir, I’ve got the report on the charity accounts, and also some notes from the last board meeting. Do you want—?”“Leave,” Kim said
Jay sat by the window of his hotel suite, watching the lights blink across the skyline. He had been waiting all day to hear from Kim. He knew the wedding was supposed to happen, and by now, it should’ve been over. He had expected pictures, at least a short call. But nothing came.He picked up his phone and tried again.After a few rings, Kim finally answered. His voice was low, almost tired.“Hey,” Kim said.“Man,” Jay replied, standing up and pacing. “I’ve been calling. What’s going on? How did it go?”There was silence.Jay paused. “Kim?”Kim let out a long breath. “It didn’t happen.”“What?” Jay stopped pacing. “What do you mean?”Kim’s voice cracked a little. “She didn’t marry me. The wedding got interrupted.”Jay sat down again, slowly. “By who?”“Jane.”Jay blinked. “Jane? Why? What did she do?”“She stood up in front of everyone. Said she’s pregnant... and that the baby is mine.”Jay’s jaw dropped. “She said that at the altar?”Kim’s voice was hollow. “Just as the priest was ab
The moment Charlotte dragged Riele out of the chaos and into the quiet room beside the hall, her friend’s legs gave out beneath her.“Riele!” Charlotte gasped, just barely catching her before she collapsed completely.Riele's skin had turned pale. Her lips quivered. She clutched at her chest, breath coming out in short, broken gasps.“I… I can’t breathe,” she whispered.Charlotte guided her toward the edge of the couch. “Sit. Just sit for a second. Deep breaths, okay? Riele, look at me. Stay with me.”But Riele never made it to the couch. Her eyes rolled back, her knees buckled again, and she crumpled like a doll in Charlotte’s arms.“No, no, no. Stay with me!” Charlotte cried, lowering her to the carpet, her voice shaking as she screamed out toward the hallway. “Somebody call an ambulance! Now!”The minutes that followed were a blur. Voices shouted, footsteps ran, someone brought water that Charlotte never used. Her focus stayed fixed on Riele’s still form, on the way her chest rose
The church was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the hum of quiet anticipation. Soft music floated through the air as guests took their seats, dressed in their best, smiles lighting their faces. The atmosphere was warm, joyful, and full of love. Every detail from the simple white roses lining the aisle to the soft glow of the chandelier seemed to echo the happiness that had brought everyone together.Riele stood just beyond the large wooden doors of the church, her arm looped through Harry’s. She wore a gown that shimmered under the morning light, delicate lace hugging her frame. Her veil was light and soft, like a breath of air. She held a small bouquet of peonies, her hands trembling slightly, more from excitement than nerves.“You look like Mom,” Harry said quietly, glancing down at her with a proud smile.Riele blinked back sudden tears. “Thank you.”The music shifted. The doors opened. Everyone stood.Riele walked slowly down the aisle, eyes fixed on Kim. He stood at the
Riele stepped into the bridal boutique, her fingers curling slightly around the strap of her purse. The shop was warm and elegant, filled with rows of ivory and pearl-colored gowns. Charlotte walked beside her, carrying Hope in a soft sling across her chest. The little girl was already looking around with wide eyes.Riele let out a quiet breath as she looked around.“So many dresses,” she said, more to herself than anyone else.Charlotte grinned. “You’re about to be a bride, Rie. Don’t rush. Try them all if you want.”Riele smiled back, but her eyes were already moving across the room. There were sleek gowns, flowing lace ones, some glittering softly under the lights. The shop assistant came over with a friendly face, introduced herself as Sera, and offered to help.Riele gave a nod. “I want something simple but beautiful. Nothing too heavy. Something I can dance in.”“Got it,” Sera said, already moving to a rack.Charlotte rocked Hope gently and looked at Riele. “Are you nervous?”Ri
Riele stood by the kitchen sink, staring blankly out the window at the swaying trees in the garden. She had replayed the scene with Jane more times than she cared to admit—her eyes, her voice, that almost mocking smile when she asked Riele to call off the wedding. There had been no clear reason, no explanation, just a demand wrapped in veiled hostility. It left a sour taste in Riele's mouth and a heaviness in her chest that wouldn’t go away.She wiped her hands and picked up her phone. Her thumb hovered over Charlotte’s name for a moment. She had already told Kim about Jane’s visit, but he had only looked confused and a bit concerned. Riele hadn’t told him everything—not the exact words Jane had used, not how her presence had chilled the room. She needed someone who could help her think clearly, someone who wouldn’t immediately rush into protective action.She needed Charlotte.Without overthinking it, Riele grabbed her keys, slipped into a light cardigan, and headed out the door.The
The soft scent of freshly brewed tea wafted through Riele’s living room, mingling with the distant hum of a playlist Charlotte had picked—gentle acoustic love songs that filled the silence between conversations. The coffee table was buried beneath magazines, color swatches, and a notepad scribbled with names and ideas. Riele sat cross-legged on the couch, flipping through a bridal catalogue, while Charlotte and Kim debated the merits of an outdoor ceremony versus an indoor one. Utter leaned back in the armchair, half-involved, half amused, nursing a glass of juice like he’d been roped into something way beyond his understanding. Hope was sleeping soundly beside them. “It has to be outside,” Charlotte said, pointing to a photo of a vineyard-style wedding with twinkling fairy lights. “You and Kim under a canopy of stars? That’s poetry.”“It rains in spring,” Kim said, folding his arms. “A surprise downpour isn’t romantic. It’s soggy.”“That’s why tents exist,” Charlotte shot back.Riel
The breeze was gentle that afternoon, rustling the bare branches as though whispering secrets only the trees could understand. Riele stepped carefully between the headstones, her fingers interlocked with Harry's as they made their way toward the familiar spot. It had been three months—three quiet, aching months since they last stood here together. Time had softened the sharpness of their grief, but the ache still lived somewhere inside them, persistent and tender.Their mother’s grave was just as they remembered. A simple marble headstone with her name etched in gold: Esmeralda Grants, Beloved Mother, Eternal Light. Harry bent to brush away the leaves that had gathered at its base while Riele knelt, her hand smoothing over the cold stone."Hey, Mom," Riele whispered. Her voice was steady, but her chest quivered with the familiar ache. "We came to visit you. It's been a while, I know."Harry crouched beside her, setting down the small bouquet of wildflowers he’d picked up on the way. H